Illuminating the exterior of your home does more than increase curb appeal; it also makes your yard safer and more usable at night. Choose a lighting system with a motion sensor and energy-efficient LED bulbs.
Highlighting a pillar, rockwork, dormers, or other architectural features adds beauty and interest to your home at night. Choose wash lights that maximize simplicity to highlight these details without overpowering the structure.
Lighting the Front Door and Porch
Your front door is the gateway to your home and a focal point that draws attention from the curb and the street. Highlighting the door and its features, like a unique doorknob or hardware, adds style that elevates your entryway’s curb appeal at night. A lighted door also makes it easier for delivery drivers and emergency services to find your house at night, which is helpful from a security perspective. According to experts in exterior lighting Overland Park, illuminating the front porch also helps set a welcoming tone for guests visiting at night. Placing table lamps and a cozy seating area can help your guests feel comfortable in the transitional space that connects the curb to the house.
Lighting the Driveway
Curb appeal has become a buzzword in real estate circles, and many homeowners prioritize it when selling their homes. That’s a good idea because curb appeal is often the first impression people get of your home as they drive by before an appointment or pull into the driveway to view it for the first time. Your driveway is a great place to add curb appeal with outdoor lighting. Efficient driveway lighting can illuminate architectural features, make it easier for guests to navigate without tripping over steps or pathways, and improve safety.
Lighting the Pathways
Lighting the pathways around your home makes it safe for guests and potential homebuyers to walk up to your house without tripping or falling over low-hanging branches or other obstacles. It also helps deter burglars from lingering outside your property after dark.
However, it’s important to balance well-lit areas highlighting architectural and landscaping features with a natural glow and overly bright landscapes resembling light pollution. Your goal should be to set the tone and impress visitors and prospective buyers with a welcoming, warm, not blindingly bright atmosphere. The key is to vary your fixtures to illuminate your walkways and stairs. For instance, lighting steps with sconces and other wall-mounted fixtures creates a more traditional look than stringing lights alongside your pathway.
Lighting the Landscaping
Landscape lighting can add a new dimension to your home’s curb appeal, highlighting features like fountains, gardens, pergolas, patios, or favorite trees. The key is to light these elements in a way that enhances rather than overpowers them. It’s also important to ensure that pathways and stairs are well-lit to deter burglars and so that guests don’t trip or accidentally walk into low-hanging branches or other hazards. This can be done with pathway lights, downlights, or motion-detecting lighting.
