Complete Guide to Outdoor Lighting

You want to make your yard a place of leisure and serenity, but you're not sure where to start.

Let us help! We've created this guide to outdoor lighting so that you can create the perfect ambiance for your yard, patio, or garden.

We'll walk you through choosing the right lights for your space, how to install them safely, and even where to buy them. There's no reason to worry about doing it wrong; we've got your back!

1- Choose the proper outdoor lighting

First, consider how much light you want in different yard areas. Some homeowners choose just one or two lights for their front porch and back patio, while others may have a string of lights around their entire property. If you're planning on creating a light display with multiple bulbs or strings, consider adding some extra lights at regular intervals along the path to help guide people safely through your yard after dark.

If you have pets, old people or children, look for fixtures with motion sensors that turn on automatically when someone approaches or passes underneath them. It will help keep animals safe without worrying about turning all the lights off manually when nobody is around anymore.

Consider what bulbs will work best in each area of your yard, too—you may need something brighter if there are no sidewalks nearby so people can see where they're walking better than if they were walking inside instead!

2- Know the rules

Before you begin your outdoor lighting project, there are some things you need to know. First and foremost, be sure to check local regulations regarding outdoor lighting. While many areas don't require a permit for interior lighting, some do, so it's best to double-check before you start planning!

3- Choose the right style of light

Next, think about what light style would work best for your purposes. There are many different options out there—from string lights to spotlights and even hanging lanterns—and they all have various benefits and drawbacks depending on how much space they take up and whether they emit heat. Here are the most popular types.

• String Lights: They are a cheap, easy way to illuminate your yard or walkway. The only downside is that they need to be plugged into an outlet, making them impractical for large areas (like football fields) or locations that don't have access to power outlets (like an open field).

• Spotlights: Spotlights are more expensive than string lights, but they give off more light and last longer between charges. They also don't require electricity, so they're perfect for locations where there isn't access to power outlets (or ones far away from the nearest home). Spotlights are great for illuminating specific areas in the yard, like trees or statues.

4- Find a good installation company

A professional, experienced installation company will ensure that your outdoor lighting is installed correctly and safely. You may want to save money by doing the job yourself, but it's not worth it—especially if you have a large yard or house to light.

For starters, installing outdoor lights is dangerous and requires specialized knowledge. A professional installer knows how to install different lighting systems (LEDs versus halogen) and what type of light bulb works best for each fixture (high-output LED versus low-output LED).

Conclusion

That's it! We've covered all the details you needed to know about outdoor lighting, from the basics of how it works to how to make your yard look like a Christmas wonderland.

If you're looking for someone to install your holiday lights, we can help! For years, American Holiday Lights has been installing outdoor holiday lights in Oak Brook and other locations. They know the ins and outs of lighting—and they’ll make sure your house shines all season long!