A warm breeze washes over you with the sweet floral fragrance from your garden. You walk to your guests, ice cubes in glasses of lemonade clinking in your hands. The aroma of dinner sizzles on the grill with the sound of kids playing in the backyard. It’s a classic summer scene.

And with good outdoor lighting, you can gather well into the evening.

Here’s how the right exterior lights create an effortless flow from day to night:

Outdoor Lighting From Day to Dusk (and Beyond)

Well-placed outdoor lighting expands your home’s living space and creates an easy transition from day to night 

Just like a home’s interior, outdoor lighting works best using a layered approach. Lighting for general illumination, accents, and ambiance work hand in hand, so you’ll need a few different types of fixtures scaled to the size of your space.

 

For ambient lighting, our exclusive Fisher Lantern features a timeless profile that complements most architectural styles. Accent lighting is also important, and landscape or garden lighting highlights trees and plants while illuminating your yard’s darker areas. String lights hung from trees, posts, and fences offer a warm and welcoming glow, inviting you and your guests to kick up your feet and stay outside a little longer.

Savoring Life’s Moments

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or watching a movie under the stars, lighting creates that cozy after-dark ambiance that’s carefree and casual so you can make even more memories with your favorite people.

Lighting for dining

There’s no science backing this up (there should be) but food tastes better outside. 

Since you can’t cook what you can’t see, good lighting is essential for meal prep and outdoor cooking. Stay close to the conversation by doing it all in the backyard. The Otto Lantern offers a swath of general illumination that extends from your home’s exterior. If you have a covered patio or deck, a pendant light brightens up a dining table and chairs. Consider distinguishing the dining area with garden lighting along the perimeter for a restaurant or resort feel.

Lighting for lounging

If you have a separate area for sitting and conversation, you’ll need proper lighting for that too. Gas lamps are having a moment — infuse your space with a touch of Old-World charm in modern and contemporary designs to suit your style.

For the people who want to move around, consider lighting up your walkways with path lighting to continue the relaxed mood. Highlight plants or trees nearby with soft uplights, or consider dotting the surrounding landscape with solar lanterns to mimic a candlelit glow.

 

 

Safety and Transitions

Outdoor lighting creates a safer and more secure environment along your home’s exterior, while exterior lighting increases your home’s visibility from the street. Pathway lighting brightens up walkways so you notice uneven or slippery surfaces. Motion sensors can deter intruders or wildlife. 

Outdoor light fixtures brighten indoor-outdoor transition spaces for ease and comfort. For example, adequate lighting on your porch helps you find your house keys and unlock the front door quickly. It illuminates thresholds to reduce trips and falls. At the back door, a light from the outside maintains visibility moving from indoors to the darker outdoors.

 

Finally, the right exterior lighting highlights your home’s architecture and its unique features. The Cyrus exterior lantern’s efficient and crisp profile suits a variety of architectural styles, including modern farmhouse, craftsman, and contemporary. No matter which type of light fixtures you choose, they will enhance curb appeal and buyer first impressions — two important factors linked to quicker home sales and up to a 7% increase in sales price.

 

Outdoor Lighting Takeaways

Make the most of spring and summer from the comfort of your outdoor living spaces. Well-placed exterior light fixtures extend your home’s living areas, minus the walls, and play up its best features. Most of all, outdoor lighting lets you live outdoors a little longer, enjoy more of life’s best moments, and make even more lasting memories. 

Shop the Lighting One exclusive outdoor lighting collections at a member showroom near you.