The Many Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

In my former career as a licensed contractor, I ordered light fixtures for several clients online at csn lighting. I was pleased with the quality of the company's products as well as their customer service, so when they recently offered to author the following piece on the benefits of lighting, I was happy to partner with them and provide the information on my blog:

When it comes to putting your house on the market, there's no question that your interior space has got to look its best. But what about your exterior? A poorly landscaped or lit exterior really can make or break a potential sale, which makes sense, considering that first impressions are everything! In a housing marketing as volatile as today’s it's important that you maximize your home's value wherever you can. While the very prospect of landscaping might be overwhelming, the addition of some new outdoor lighting can change the entire look of your exterior. Here are a few ways you can use outdoor lighting to better showcase your home.

1. Curb Appeal: A person's first impression of your home needs to start at the curb. By adding a simple address light to your front parkway, you eliminate any confusion or circling the block looking for your address. If you have a mailbox on the street, you should install some lights to make sure that the address is adequately illuminated. Many address lights today are solar powered, which saves on energy costs and eliminates the need for a power source close to the street. If you don't want to get address lighting or a new mailbox, you should at the very least consider some reflective address numbers. You can attractively present your address on a big stone or even build your own address display. Having your address visible from the street is absolutely necessary.
   
   
2. Driveway Appeal: No matter if you have a long driveway or a short driveway, you need some sort of outdoor lighting around the entrance. This is both safe and aesthetically appealing. If you have a longer driveway, it's a good idea to install a lighting system along the entire length. You don't need the lights spaced too closely together, but they need to create a pathway for cars. For shorter driveways, it's a good idea to install 2 lights on either side of the entrance. Your driveway now becomes clearly visible from the street, limiting the risk of cars rolling up on the curb or into your garden. Driveway lighting is also a great way to showcase any landscaping you have done around your driveway. There are many affordable and easy to install lighting sets that you can do yourself, or you can have a lighting system installed professionally - it's your call! Either way, you can choose the fixtures that suit your home's style. Solar lighting options abound with these driveway lights as well, saving you additional money and energy.
   
   
3. Pathway Appeal: Path lights do the same for your front path that driveway lights do for your driveway. It's important that the path to your front door be clearly marked. By installing some basic electric or solar path lights, you instantly make the front of your home safer and more attractive. Path lights are a great way to showcase intricate brickwork, garden sculptures, topiaries or any other landscaping you have had done that deserves some showing off. Choosing a stainless steel or hammered pewter finish gives you more of a modern look, while a brass or bronze finish gives you more traditional appeal. Either way, you're sure to find path lights that complement your home decor.
   
   
4. Front Door Appeal: There's nothing less welcoming than the dim glow of a doorbell light when approaching someone’s front door. Make sure that your home has some sort of an outdoor wall lantern either above or beside the front door. Having your front stoop properly illuminated adds both warmth and charm to any front door. Save energy by installing a motion sensor wall lantern and only use the light when you need it. Available in every style from stained glass Tiffany-style to ultra modern stainless steel, you can easily match your front lamp to your decor.
   
   
5. Deck and Yard Appeal: As important as a well lit front yard is, you need to make sure that your back yard and deck are attractively lit as well. Considering how important a big backyard is these days, especially to families, it's essential that it’s shown in the best possible light. From subtle landscaping lighting highlighting the perimeter of your space, to coordinating path lighting that guides you to and from the back door, driveway or pool - backyard lighting is just as important as lighting the front. By adding some recessed step lights on your deck stairs, you instantly make your backyard area safer for everyone. Additionally, outdoor lighting helps deter crime and makes taking the pets out late at night, safer. Add some stylish outdoor torches and give your backyard or deck some atmosphere.