OUTDOOR lighting – whether it’s simple string lights hung from a tree or a custom-designed fixture – is an essential part of outdoor enjoyment.
At its very best, lighting is a combination of decorative and practical elements. A series of small, low-to-the-ground lights help visitors find their way to your front door or up a set of stairs. Spotlights can highlight a home’s features, such as a statue or a decorative wall, or beautiful specimen trees.
First, decide whether you want solar, low- or line-voltage systems. Solar-powered lights are weak, and I can’t recommend them for brightening an area – they are better suited for mood lighting or for soft, candle-like decorative effects.
Low-voltage lighting kits are inexpensive and easy to install, since most are do-it-yourself. Kits of eight or 10 lights sell for about $60.
These lights generally don’t require another circuit to be installed in order to operate. They can be hardwired into the existing household circuit or simply be plugged into an outdoor outlet. However, low-voltage lights don’t provide a very bright glow.
Line voltage, on the other hand, provides intense light over long distances. These include uplights, pathway lights and lampposts. However, they can be expensive, running into the thousands. And since you need a licensed electrician to install a system, labor costs are also involved; count on the most basic job to cost a minimum of $500.
And don’t get carried away by just the decorative aspects of lighting – safety is important, too. Security lights strategically placed on each corner of your house bathe your yard in bright light. At the very minimum, your house should be equipped with a set of floodlights; these are inexpensive and are simple to add to your home. You can buy units that are controlled by motion detection or manually.
If you’re just looking to lighten up your patio, buy some cute string lights and an outdoor table lamp. Attach the lights to your balcony railing and set the exterior-grade lamp (which looks just like indoor styles and is available at home centers) on a bistro table, and you can enjoy – long after the sun has set.
If I can do it, so can you!
Barbara K is the author of “Invest In Your Nest: The Insider’s Guide to Adding Style, Comfort, and Value to Your Home” (Rodale). Visit her online at barbarak.com.