Outdoor Lights and Light Posts

Outdoor lights and light posts can remarkably help outdoor spaces come alive once the sun goes down. Outdoor lighting enables property owners to elevate and customize their yards and gardens to complement their lifestyle needs.

Benefits of Outdoor Lights and Light Posts

From enhancing functionality, aesthetics, and safety of outdoor spaces, outdoor lights and light posts offer numerous benefits. Key benefits include: 

Improved Safety and Security

Outdoor lights and light posts improve home safety by illuminating pathways, driveways, and entryways and reducing accidental trips and falls. Adequate lighting makes a property less vulnerable to vandalism and theft by deterring potential intruders.

Extended Usability

Proper outdoor lighting allows property owners to maximize outdoor space usage after the sun goes down. They can safely entertain guests in the garden or enjoy their patios or gardens well after dark.

Enhanced Aesthetics

Adequately installed outdoor lights and light posts help highlight a property's architectural features, focal points, and landscaping elements. Thoughtful outdoor lighting adds character and charm to a property, making it more inviting and appealing. 

Increased Property Value

A professionally installed outdoor lighting system can boost a property's value. Potential buyers often pay more for a property with well-lit exteriors for the aesthetic and security benefits. 

Wayfinding and Orientation

Strategically placed light posts and outdoor lights help with nighttime navigation. They can help guide visitors through a property, allowing them to find entrances, pathways, or specific areas quickly. Outdoor lighting is beneficial in large commercial properties with sprawling grounds.

How Do You Use Lights in Home Decor?

Outdoor lights are vital to home décor as they help create a safe, welcoming, and visually appealing environment. Here are some ideas to improve home décor using outdoor lights:

Highlight Architectural Features

Properly installed outdoor lights can help showcase the architectural elements of a home. They can accentuate arches, columns, and other unique design features and enhance the home's aesthetics.

Illuminate Pathways and Walkways

Installing outdoor lights and light posts along walkways and pathways provides decorative and functional lighting. It helps improve nighttime navigation while adding an inviting touch to the property.

Create Ambiance

Choosing outdoor lights with white or warm-colored bulbs or LED strips gives an outdoor space a cozy, inviting ambiance. Layering can add depth and dimension to any outdoor space. Combine vinyl post lights with lanterns, wall-mounted fixtures, or string lights to create the prized layered effect.

Create Focal Points and Highlights

Place post lights strategically in a property to highlight various focal points such as sculptures, water features, a beautiful tree, or a seating area. That creates visual appeal and enhances the home's overall ambiance. Some light posts can double as a sign post.

Highlight Landscape Elements

Installing outdoor lights can help showcase focal landscape features around a property. A side mount lantern can help illuminate trees, shrubs, flower beds, or water features. Installing well-lights may help add depth and drama to a garden or a home's exterior.

Create an Outdoor Entertainment Area

Install outdoor lights on a patio or deck and transform it into an outdoor entertainment area. Wall-mounted lanterns, flush-mount lanterns, or an old colony-side mountain lantern can help the right atmosphere. A careful choice of lantern bulbs can also help achieve a specific effect.

Create a Festive Atmosphere

Switch out the bulbs in the light posts and outdoor lanterns and replace them with appropriate theme-colored ones during special events and holidays. It's an effective way to capture the holiday spirit and give a property a festive and celebratory feel.

Outdoor Lights and Light Posts - FAQ's

How tall should a light post be?

A typical light post for residential use is usually 6 to 9 feet tall. The specific height of a light post depends on the lighting purpose, coverage area, personal preferences, and the surrounding area.

How deep should a light post be?

The depth of a light post hole depends on its type, height, weight, and the type of soil around the installation point. Generally, the hole should be at least 3 feet deep while its diameter is twice the pole's width. Such a depth keeps the post stable and prevents it from leaning or topping over.

How do you anchor a light post?

Anchoring a light post is a systematic process that uses these steps:

1. Dig an appropriately sized hole

2. Cover the bottom with a few inches of gravel to ensure proper drainage

3. Insert the light post, ensuring it's straight and level

4. Backfill the hole with a mixture of soil and gravel and compact it

5. Pack the hole firmly around the post's base

6. Create a solid footing by pouring concrete mix at the bottom of the pole.

Where do you install lights outside?

The placement of outdoor lights depends on the desired lighting effects, the outdoor space, and its lighting needs. Common installation areas include entryways, pathways, patio, landscape features, and security points. Other areas include steps, stairs, walls, and fences.

Ready to help your property come alive after dusk? Connect with a Design Expert today!