Hey there, Gainesville, Florida homeowner! Thinking about sprucing up your outdoor space with some new lighting? Great idea! Outdoor lighting offers lots of benefits like boosting your home’s appearance and adding an extra level of security. The most important part is making sure you get the right size outdoor lights. If your lighting choices are too small or too large are not effective and might look out of place. Having the right size outdoor lights for specific spaces can also be more energy efficient. So, let’s chat about getting the size of your outdoor lights just right. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
Find Your Lighting Style
First things first, take a good look at your house. What’s its vibe? Is it all curves and cozy, or more sharp and modern? Your lights should match that feeling. And don’t forget to check out your door handles and house numbers – your new lights should play nice with those too. Even your home’s trim plays a role, especially in purchasing outdoor light fixtures. Narrowing down your style is the first step in choosing the right size outdoor lights. Once you’ve got a clear idea of what works with your home, picking the right size becomes much easier. These tips help you choose fixtures that work well and look great with the rest of your space.
Front Door and Entry Area Light Sizing
Now, let’s talk about your front door. It’s like the star of the show, right? You want lights that make it shine, not disappear or look like it’s been swallowed by giant fixtures. Here’s a neat trick: measure your door’s height and go for lights about a third or quarter of that size. Easy peasy!
Where should you hang these beauties? Eye level is your sweet spot – usually around 5.5 to 6 feet up. But hey, if you’ve got a super tall entryway, you might need to tweak that a bit. What if your entryway is taller than most? You can adjust the height you hang the outdoor lights a little bit. However, be careful not to hang them too high, because it makes them less effective. Usually, making minor adjustments to the recommended height range will give you the results you want.
Garage Area Light Sizing
Don’t forget about your garage! It needs some love too. Getting your garage lighting right provides extra safety and security. Lights make it easier for you and your family to navigate at night, plus they can help deter any unwanted visitors. It’s nice to have some lights on at home if you come in after dark.
Use that same sizing trick we talked about for the front door. And if you’ve got a wide garage, why not go for a trio of lights? It’ll look super stylish.
Oh, and here’s a cool tip: motion-sensing lights are awesome for garages. They’ll light up just when you need them. Pretty handy, huh?
Garage Area Light Positioning
Getting your garage lights in the right place improves the look and function of the space. Here are a few options for optimizing this outdoor space and making it safer.
- Single-side lanterns on one side of the door can get the job done. Just make sure it’s positioned so it provides even lighting.
- Two single lanterns work nicely for larger garages. Putting one lantern on each side of the opening gives some balanced lighting and can add to the aesthetics of the garage area.
- Three light configurations work great for wider garages. Evenly spacing three lights across the garage area looks proportional and gives good lighting coverage. They can also provide a nice symmetrical look to your home’s exterior.
Pro Tip: Motion Sensing Lights
Motion-sensing lights are awesome for garages. They’ll light up just when you need them.
Outdoor Patio and Pool Light Sizing
Now, let’s head to the backyard. Whether you’re lighting up a patio or pool area, that trusty one-third to one-quarter rule still applies. For dining areas, think about using a few lights to create a cozy vibe. Got a big deck? Spread those lights out to avoid any dark spots.
And for pool areas, mix it up! Wall lights, string lights, ground-level fixtures – go wild! It’ll make your pool area safe and seriously Instagram-worthy.
Remember, picking the right size outdoor lights isn’t just about looking good (though that’s definitely part of it). It’s about making your home safer and more welcoming too. So take your time, follow these tips, and have fun with it!
Ready to install outdoor lighting? Call the pros at Mr. Sparky in Gainesville, FL, so you know it’ll be done right the first time.
Don’t put up with any malarkey, call Mister Sparky!