Exterior Lighting Fixtures
Are you looking for a way to spruce up the outdoor areas of your home? If so, exterior light fixtures can go a long way to doing just that. With patio or swimming pool areas, adding lighting can really increase the entertainment potential. Having guests over for a late night swim, or for a small party after dark can make those spaces much more enjoyable.
Wherever you need light in the outdoor areas of your home, well placed exterior light fixtures can give you all the light you need while creating the perfect ambiance.
Of course there is a wide range of exterior light fixtures to choose from. They are available in styles and colors to suit nearly every taste. A quick trip to your local big box hardware stores will bear this fact out. There, you’ll find everything from path lighting and low voltage lighting to solar lighting, accent lighting, flood lighting and many other types of lighting such as lamps and torches.
If you are looking for a truly unique and out of the ordinary, you’ll really need to put some thought into the project. Where you are going to display and mount your exterior light fixtures can make a big difference in the look and feel of the outdoor area you are lighting. I’d suggest putting a plan together before starting your project that includes the following mounting considerations:
1. Wall Mount
Of course, this option depends on what wall space you have in the area you want to light. Exterior light fixtures that are mounted on wall are generally powered by electricity because the temperature of the fixture is typically lower than with a natural or LP gas flame fixture.
2. Post Mount
Post mounted exterior lighting fixtures work very well for patio, pool or decking areas. The fixtures can be mounted on metal or wooden posts that are installed directly into the ground, concrete or on a wooden deck. Some refer to this type of mounting as a column mount, especially when the lighting is mounted directly onto a stone or brick column that is normally part of a fence or wall. Gas lighting typically works well in these type of applications as it may not be convenient to run electricity to these areas.
3. Hanging Mount
Another way to mount exterior light fixtures is from the ceiling of an outbuilding on your property, or even under your porch. These type of fixtures can really provide you with a unique look. Many folks who use these type of fixtures choose to go with the French Quarter Style gas lanterns. When you combine them with fancier bracket, you can really dress an area up quite nicely. Many of these type of lanterns require an electric light bulb, but you can really get a stunning look by using a dual tipped flame for gas output.
4. Bracket Mount
Bracket mounts for exterior light fixtures really give you a great deal of flexibility. They can also provide you with the ability to create a truly unique look in your outdoor area. You’ll find that standard style brackets will only hold the light off the surface by a few inches. But if you bring your imagination into the project, you’ll find that by choosing a slightly fancier option such as a scroll bracket, a gooseneck bracket or even brackets with a floral or “New Orleans” style to them, you can really create an amazing look.
In addition to the bracketing method you choose for your exterior light fixtures, you’ll also need to consider how many lights you’ll need in your outdoor area. This can be a really difficult task. A lot will depend on the type of area you have to light. Perhaps one or two lights will do the job. But don’t be surprised if you end up needed several more than that in order to get the look and feel you are looking for in your exterior area.
Another consideration for your exterior lighting project will be what type of power you want to use to power your exterior light fixtures. You have three choices. You can go with solar power, gas power or electric power. In many cases, the type of power you end up using is chosen for you based on what your situation is in the exterior area you want to light. In most areas of the south where the temperature is warmer year round, but tend to be much more humid gas fixtures are generally used. However, in drier climates or in climates that tend to be colder during the winter months, electricity is generally preferred. Solar can be used just about anywhere.
And yet another consideration for your exterior lighting fixtures – do you want to go with a modern look or an antique look? There are plenty of choices available in both styles. Modern looking light fixtures that feature clean lines tend to skew silver or black in color. But, if you prefer the antique look, you’ll be able to find some great opportunities there as well. Exterior lighting fixtures with the aged look and more natural looking colors such as copper that patinas over time can look quite stunning.
If you are looking to be a bit different and have a truly unique look to your outdoor area, why not go with a copper lantern? You can get them in gas or electric and they come in so many different styles, that there is sure to be one that fits your tastes.