by Sarah Bammel

Created on: November 08, 2010

Choosing exterior lights is a big decision. Lighting effects the mood and the light fixture itself is a design element to your home. Light allows us to see to do simple chores like taking out the trash, or lets us have some late night fun and have a party in the backyard.

How Much Light Do You Need

Think about what you are lighting, and how much light you will need. Walkways, sidewalks, the front entry, and the perimeter of your home should have ambient lighting for security. You will need to see the lock on the door and handle in order to enter your home. Sidewalks and walkways need to be lit to see where you are going and not trip and fall over something like a branch that fell in your path. There are also the features of your home that you may want to show off such as prized flowers.

To Have a Motion Sensor or Not

Having a motion sensor with your lights can help save energy as the light will only come on when you or someone walks by. If you have outdoor parties a lot and people are just sitting around a table there won’t be enough movement to keep the lights on. So it depends what you and others will be doing in the areas that will be affected by the light fixtures you will be getting. Also if lighting a feature of your home, you probably wouldn’t want a motion sensor on the light because if the feature isn’t worth featuring all the time it’s not worth featuring at all.

Overall Design of the Light Fixture

There is also the look of the fixture itself to consider. In the daylight the light will not be in use and will affect the overall look of the house. There is the finish of the light to consider, such as stainless steel or aluminum for a modern look, or copper or brass for a more traditional look. Then there are also the lines of the light. A rectangle or square with more squares and rectangles covering the glass gives a mission or Asian look depending on the finish of the metal and glass.

Do It Yourself or Hire an Electrician

Changing out an existing light is easy. Each light fixture comes with a set of directions that are easy to follow. The only words of caution are to make sure you turn off the power to the light just to be safe. If the switch is in the off position this is usually enough. When adding a light where one was not, it is recommended to consult an electrician to make sure everything is sound and no accidental electrical fires happen in the future.

Taking all these things, overall design, amount of light needed, needing a motion sensor or not, and whether you will be doing it yourself or hiring an electrician, will help make sure your choice of light fixture is a good one.

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