Whether you've bought a new home or are improving the one you've loved for years, sprucing up the outside can add value, curb appeal, and functionality to your property. Exterior lighting beyond basic porch lights is a highly beneficial addition to any landscape design. Here are several reasons to have an electrician add outdoor lighting to your home.

Why Should You Invest in Exterior Lighting?

1. Deter Criminal Activity

A well-lit exterior offers few hiding spots for potential burglars and thieves, making them less likely to strike your home. Lights also provide better illumination for any outdoor security cameras you have, allowing them to get clear images of suspicious activity.

These lights should focus on vulnerable areas, such as windows, doors, and outdoor storage buildings. Floodlights with motion sensors are ideal for your backyard or shed, while milder accent lights can be placed as a border around your home or mounted on walls. When planning these installations, check to make sure none of the lights are positioned in a way that will disrupt your family or neighbors.

2. Illuminate Pathways & Obstacles

Pathways, yard decorations, steps, and fallen debris from trees can all pose tripping hazards in the dark. Use rustic lamps or subtle path lights to brighten all main walkways on your property, decreasing the risk of someone falling. Consider options that aim the light down toward the path, which will reduce glare and won't intrude on the tranquility of the night.

3. Light Up Entertainment Spaces

Outdoor areas are popular spaces for family gatherings or celebrations with friends. The right lighting choices will help set the tone for the evening while ensuring these spaces are well-lit for safety. 

For decks or patios that are used for activities like grilling or playing cards, mount wall sconces on the exterior walls for a classic appearance with a wide, bright field of light, and have deck and step lights installed on railings and stairs for safety. Pools and garden seating may benefit from softer lighting with a more serene or intimate atmosphere, such as garden or path lights.

4. Highlight Landscape & Architectural Features

Lighting can also be a valuable tool for showcasing your home. Use small lights that aim upward to emphasize landscaping like water features, flowerbeds, and statues, as well as architectural highlights like columns or bay windows. They'll add depth to your home's facade and give your landscaping a polished, refined appearance.

If you're in need of exterior lighting, call on the licensed and insured electricians at Bunnell Electric in West Chester, OH. Since 1982, this family-owned business has handled projects of all sizes. Whether you need a few sconces wired in or want extensive lighting around your property, they will help make your home more secure, functional, and striking. Explore their residential electrical work online, or call (513) 779-8778 for a consultation.