Because it's summertime, lots of homeowners are updating their outdoor spaces. They want their patios, decks, and porches to be in great shape. This is the time of year for cookouts, bonfires, and other outdoor parties.
Before you have your guests over, you want to make sure your outdoor space is ready for entertaining. One of the best ways to improve the look of your porch is with outdoor lighting. Here are some of the top tips you should know as you add outdoor lighting to your home.
- Include lighting for different purposes. In your home, you probably have lighting for different purposes. Commonly, these purposes are ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lights may be on walls and posts. Task lighting should light pathways for safety. Accent lighting includes lights such as spotlights. If you can't buy all of these types of lights right now, prioritize based on your needs.
- Measure your space. Before you go and buy light fixtures, you should take measurements. You need to make sure you don't add a huge light fixture to a small space. On the other hand, a tiny light fixture won't look right in a large area. This is especially important when shopping online because you won't be able to see the fixture in person prior to its arrival.
- Take a look from another perspective. You should look at your outdoor space from inside to see where you want lights. If one area is particularly dark at night and could use extra light, start there.
- Shop for delicate lighting for entertaining. Your guests don't want a bright, bold light on them as they dine or talk outdoors. Look for a delicate light for a subtle brightness. There are indirect styles available that are perfect for this purpose. You could also purchase lights and bulbs with a dimmer option so you have some choices.
- Consider the style of your outdoor space. As you shop, think about the colors and style that you have incorporated into your outdoor space. You should try to find lighting options that complement that style. You want to keep everything cohesive and make sure it works well together. Even the metals that you select should match your other metal accents.