Exterior lighting may not seem all that important ... until a skunk crosses your path.

Only then will you realize the importance of a well-lit escape route. As you run, it would be nice to see the ground before you.

Finding the right amount of lights to adorn the outside of your house involves looking at aesthetics and safety concerns:

·        What style of light blends with the architectural design of your house?

·        Do you have enough light in the right places to keep would-be burglars at bay?

·        Is there enough light to prevent a visitor with poor eyesight from stumbling on your front walk?

·        Can you accomplish all this without making your yard look like an airport landing strip?

Renovators select exterior lighting based on one or more of the following issues:

·        the style of the home

·        the owner’s personal tastes

·        the owner’s lifestyle         

·        cost considerations

Someone who lives on a deep wooded lot may want many lights. Others may put a higher premium on their privacy and want fewer lights.

Begin by thinking about where to put the lights. Consider:

·        the entrance to the garage

·        the base of the driveway

·        the front, back or side door(s)

·        a section of the garden

Select the number of lights based on the amount of space to cover and the size of the fixture. Someone with a three car garage, for example, may want three large coach lights, each centered above the garage doors. Those with one or two car garages may decide to add a standard size light above or on each side of the garage door.

The same guidelines apply when selecting lights at or near doorways. Some may want one light above the door. Others will prefer a light on each side of the door.

What Type of Design

When it comes to light fixtures, there are many types of fixtures, finishes, and sizes. Any one fixture may be ordered as many as 10 different ways.

Traditional designs with a European influence are a popular style. Try a Verde green finish or an antique brown to add an old fashioned look.

Brass coach lights long have been popular choices among renovators for exterior fixtures. The lights are available in polished or antique brass. Many consumers choose the antique style because it requires less maintenance. Polished brass tarnishes over time, so consumers should clean and polish them once or twice a year.