Category Archives: Outdoor

How to Encourage Outdoor Activities With Exterior Lighting

Outdoor fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down if you have the right exterior lighting. According to Snow Brains, the average American only spends about 12 hours a week outside. Exterior lighting can help everyone get outside more often. Here is how you can get everyone outside more with exterior lighting.

1. Patio and Deck Lighting

Patio and deck lighting are an easy way to make these areas more appealing for nighttime use. Lighting strategically placed around the deck and patio can give these areas a room-like feel. Your family and guests will linger long after sundown.

Investing in lighting around your patio and deck can be a game changer for how often your patio and deck get used. Lighting can be an invitation for longer gatherings. It can also improve the aesthetics of your outdoor spaces.

2. Pathway and Garden Lighting

Stumbling around in the dark is never a good idea. Pathways and garden lighting make it easier to see where you’re stepping. This type of lighting can improve safety. It can also ensure your garden flowers are safe from foot traffic.

Lighting up paths will encourage more time outside. Having a well-lit option for foot traffic will encourage everyone to stay outdoors longer each day. Of course, adding lighting to your garden will ensure that all your hard work can be admired at night as well as during the day.

3. Spot and Floodlights

Spot and floodlights can really light up your outdoor spaces. They are an excellent option to heighten security in your outdoor areas and, of course, to illuminate the areas as well. This type of lighting is great for task area highlighting.

For example, spot and floodlights are ideal around a pool area or a cooking area. In spaces that need to be well-lit to ensure you can enjoy the area at night safely, spot and floodlighting are hard to beat. Luckily, today, there are plenty of options that are decorative, energy efficient (thanks to LED options), and can deliver the high lumens you need.

If you are like most homeowners, you put a lot of time and energy into your outdoor living spaces. Why not use exterior lighting to ensure you get the most bang for your buck and make sure those spaces can be enjoyed for longer periods of time? Shop today at Premier Lighting for lighting that will encourage everyone to be outside.

Posted 3/1/24

How Lighting Can Turn Your Backyard Into an Oasis

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are more than 114 million households across the country, and many homeowners use their yards to host friends and family. That said, if you want your backyard or other spaces to really shine, you’ll need to design it with intent. The right outdoor lighting and other features can make your yard stand out. Let’s consider how you can turn your green spaces into oases.

Light the Way

There’s a good chance that you’ll end up enjoying time in your backyard at night. You might invite friends over for a barbeque or outdoor movie night, for example. Walking around in your yard at night can be a bit dangerous, however, especially for guests.

Someone might trip over a rock or flower bed. Or maybe they’ll stub their toe on your garden gnome. If people are going to be walking around in the dark, it’s crucial to ensure that pathways are well-lit. This can greatly reduce the risk of accidents.

Fortunately, lighting pathways with outdoor lighting is relatively simple. You can find many different lights capable of getting the job done, including solar-powered lamps.

Make Your Best Features Shine

You may have set up some eye-catching features, like a Koi pond or a fountain. Perhaps you have beautiful flowerbeds packed with beautiful plants. Whatever the case, you can set up lighting to put these features in the spotlight. This way, attention will be drawn to the best aspects of your yard.

People form impressions within a matter of seconds. If you’re inviting guests over, well-designed lighting can help you make good impressions. Further, by highlighting greenery and the like, you can make your yard feel more like a lush oasis.

Set Ambiance

The right lighting can help people relax. Humans are very attuned to light, and lighting can impact our moods. Soft yellow light, for example, could provide your yard with a warm and inviting ambiance. A relaxing atmosphere can help people unwind and may lead to better, more relaxed conversations.

At the end of the day, there are many ways you can use outdoor lighting to make your backyard or other green space more welcoming and relaxing. If you want to build an oasis, it’s crucial to get the lighting right. Need assistance or have questions? Feel free to contact us.

Posted: 10/16/2023

Is Your Front Porch Lighting of Good Quality?

Some homeowners may not spend much time thinking about their front porch lights and other outdoor lighting fixtures, especially if they don’t personally use the front door all that often. For example, you might enter through the garage door most of the time and thus may never really spare a thought to your front door lighting. Even if you don’t use the front door, it’ll likely see a fair bit of traffic and keep the front of your home well-lit at night.

Thus, setting up reliable, high-quality front porch lights is crucial for a variety of reasons. Much of it simply comes down to comfort and meeting the needs of your visitors. The right outdoor lighting fixtures can also mitigate risks, like the chance of someone suffering a stumble.

We’ll look more closely at some of the benefits of high-quality lighting fixtures. Keep in mind, any investment in a home or other property can pay off in the long run by increasing property value.

Good Front Porch Lights Create a Welcoming Experience

Many guests will first enter through the front door. Likewise, if you order something online or get items delivered, the delivery driver will likely leave your goods on the front porch. Without proper lighting, guests and delivery drivers may struggle to find your location. Even if they find you, an improperly lit porch could pose a danger.

Injuries should be avoided when and where possible simply for the sake of it. If someone falls because your front porch is improperly lit, you could be liable, depending on local laws and the various circumstances surrounding the event. Good outdoor lighting could not only reduce mishaps but also reduce liability.

How Bright Should My Lighting Be?

First, the lighting for the front entrance should be at least 1,000-2,000 lumens, according to HGTV. If you’re worried about glare, there are solutions, like specially designed outdoor lighting fixtures for reducing glare. It’s also smart to illuminate pathways, including those leading from your driveway or the sidewalk to your front porch. As for pathways, you’ll want to use at least 300 lumens, but it’s smart to opt for a bit more.

Keep in mind that local factors such as whether there are nearby street lights, weather, and trees, among other things, may affect lighting. You’ll want to keep this in mind when selecting outdoor lighting fixtures.

If you’re looking for high-quality outdoor lighting fixtures, look no further than Premier Lighting. We have a variety of options to choose from at great prices. Visit our website today to place an order!

Posted 7/17/23

Why Your Outdoor Patio Deserves Lighting

There are so many little upgrades you can make to your home, especially when you’re talking about the outside. If you’re thinking about investing in an outdoor lighting fixture for your patio, here’s why that’s a smart investment.

Security

If you keep a grill, furniture, or anything else valuable on your patio, patio lighting can help you keep would-be thieves away. According to the New York Scientific Research Crime Lab, neighborhoods with outdoor lighting were 7% less likely to be crime victims. Even if you don’t have a home security system, a well-lit perimeter is enough to keep a lot of thieves away.

Style

There’s no arguing against the classic style of a patio light. Patio lights look great at night, and they also do a good job of showing off one of the most appealing parts of your home. You can even invest in modern patio lights that offer sleek styling with maximum functionality.

Visibility

You need to be able to see where you’re going at night, and that’s even more important when you invite guests over. An outdoor lighting fixture is a good way to provide better visibility for you and your guests, so you don’t have to worry about tripping or stumbling over anything on your way to the back door.

Highlighting Features

Do you have a fountain or garden that you’re particularly proud of? Outdoor lighting can also be a great way to highlight some of the key parts of your yard, which can help draw attention to your favorite features. When you’re installing a patio light, consider the features it highlights before you decide on a fixture.

Keeping Critters Away

Motion-sensor lights can be a good way to keep animals away from your home. If you have a raccoon problem or deer like to eat your plants, motion-sensor lighting can scare them away before they cause any damage. Keep in mind that animals may get used to lighting if it’s constantly on for long periods of time.

Patio lighting can upgrade your backyard and help you highlight some of your favorite features, but you have to choose the right lighting fixture for your patio. If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor lighting fixture for your home, contact Premier Lighting and we can help you find it.

Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is vital for safety. It doesn’t hurt that the lighting can also be part of the landscaping design in your garden and even reduce your electric bill. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that LEDs are the primary light type in 47% of homes in the U.S. If it’s been a while since you installed the lighting you have now, it’s time to take a look at some upgrades and new installations. Outdoor lighting has changed quite a bit.

It’s All Gone LED

Outdoor lighting nowadays relies on LED bulbs for long-lasting illumination. The LEDs are cool, which eliminates the chance of adding heat near sensitive plants, and they don’t need to be changed for years. The bulbs come in all sorts of colors, allowing you to create effects in your garden, such as amber-colored lights for a footpath and whiter lights for spotlights in the landscaping, such as when you want to showcase a decorative trellis or install a security light by the door. LEDs are compact, too, so the light fixtures don’t have to be very big.

Much of It Is Solar

In addition to using low-wattage LEDs, many of these lights get their power from solar energy. This is particularly true of garden and path lights; security lighting is often hard-wired into your home or runs on batteries. Solar lights are wonderful if you live in sunny areas that also have high utility prices, but they can really benefit anyone who wants to save electricity and money. The solar panels are small and integrated into the design of the light fixture, so you don’t have to worry about having a separate panel dedicated to your outdoor lighting.

Less Light Pollution

Having all these lights in your yard and on the exterior of your home creates a nice, bright environment at night for you, but that light also ends up leaking upward if you don’t contain it. Combine lights from every home and commercial building in a city, and nearby observatories and stargazers can’t see the night sky very well. Many cities have taken steps to require specific types of light fixtures that aim light down at the ground, where you need it, instead of up into the night sky. Manufacturers of outdoor lighting have responded by creating wonderful fixtures that don’t contribute to light pollution; they have caps and lids that contain light and are often motion-activated, instead of being on all the time.

When you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor lighting, take a look at what Premier Lighting offers. From path lights to security lights, you can find fixtures for every outdoor lighting need.

Posted 4/7/23

Why an Outdoor Lantern Is the Perfect Choice

Outdoor lighting fixtures come in many different types and styles, but an outdoor lantern is one of the best choices for your home or business. An outdoor lantern provides a warm and inviting light that can be used to create a pleasing atmosphere outdoors. With its traditional charm, an outdoor lantern has a timeless appeal that makes it perfect for any garden, patio, or porch setting. Below are some of the many reasons installing an outdoor lantern is a great way to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space.

Offer Soft Glow

According to Snow Brains, Americans spend 12 hours outside every week. Outdoor lighting fixtures provide the make or break when creating a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. An outdoor lantern can offer a soft, pleasant glow that creates an inviting space for your family and friends. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying some evening outdoors, the right lighting can add just the right ambiance to any area.

Increase Safety

Outdoor lanterns are aesthetically pleasing and beneficial in terms of safety. Installing an outdoor lantern near walkways and driveways helps create visibility during darker times of day and night, making it easier to see where you’re walking or driving. Plus, they provide an additional layer of security as potential intruders are less likely to approach a well-lit area.

Add Beauty and Style

Outdoor lanterns come in various styles, sizes, and colors. Consequently, they can easily be matched with any outdoor decor. Whether your home has a modern or rustic design, an outdoor lantern is perfect for adding style and beauty while creating an inviting atmosphere outside. You could also choose to hang multiple lanterns from trees or posts to create a unique look that’s sure to impress.

Easy Installation

Outdoor lighting fixtures are typically easy to install since most models come preassembled. You’ll need to hang the lantern from a hook or mount it to a wall. This straightforward installation process allows anyone to set up their outdoor lighting and look great in no time. Plus, most models come with all the mounting hardware you’ll need.

An outdoor lantern is one of the best choices for enhancing your outdoor space. Not only do they offer a warm, inviting light that creates an inviting atmosphere outside, but they also help increase safety and add beauty and style to any decor. Plus, installing them is easy too! If you’re considering adding lighting fixtures to your outdoor area, call us at Premier Lighting today for help.

Posted: March 8, 2023

3 Considerations to Make When Lighting Your Porch

Porch lighting really changes how your house looks after dark and not just in the obvious sense of “there’s light.” The color temperature you use, the fixture style, the power source, and more all determine what you really see when you approach your house at night.

Porch lighting should be brighter at your front door – about 1,000-2,000 lumens, according to HGTV – and dimmer on pathways. For those, about 300 lumens will do. When you choose fixtures, keep a few things in mind, including light pollution, power source, and the reasons why you want to light up the porch.

1. Light Pollution

Any exterior lighting that isn’t covered by an awning or part of the roof needs to cast its light downward. This is a preventive measure to avoid adding to light pollution. If the light isn’t capped and sends light upward, that can affect how easy it is to see the night sky. That might not be a big deal to you, but it is to that observatory in the mountains outside your city.

2. Why You’re Lighting Up Your Porch

Why you’re lighting up the porch is important to consider, too. Chances are you want to have exterior lighting for both visibility and security for people coming home at night so that you can see who’s at your door. You’ll want lights along any steps up to the porch and front door lights in place to illuminate whoever is at the front door so you can see them through a door viewer.

3. What Kind of Power You’ll Use

Porch lights can be hardwired into your home’s electrical system, giving them a steady power supply. But hardwiring falls short if there’s a power outage. You could get battery-powered lights, but solar lights are also available. If the porch light will be under an awning and out of direct sunlight, though, solar won’t be appropriate. Use solar for those lights that will have exposure to direct sunlight and use battery power for those under the porch roof/awning.

Premier Lighting offers online purchasing for exterior lighting, so you can order porch lights from the comfort of your home. Choose from many different styles and create a welcoming and safe porch environment.

Will Outdoor Lighting Improve the Safety of Your Home?

Outdoor lighting is a great way to add a layer of security protection to your home. According to a recent study by ADT, homes that had outdoor lighting were 7% less at risk of being broken into compared to homes that didn’t have outdoor lighting. There are clear benefits that outdoor lighting delivers that can improve the safety and security of your home. Here are three of those benefits.

It’s a Crime Deterrent

Burglars are opportunists. They’re far more likely to work under the cover of darkness. They move through the shadows to ensure that they’re not recognized or seen by neighbors. When outdoor lighting is installed, you take steps to create an uncomfortable space for thieves to move around. They’ll move on to the next property that doesn’t have lighting installed outdoors.

Lighting is a great crime deterrent for this reason. Strategically placed lighting ensures that if someone comes onto your property uninvited, they’re easy to detect. Burglars and thieves know that you can see them when you have lighting outdoors, so they stay away.

Increased Safety

Installing lighting outdoors helps to improve safety around your home. When you or your family members pull up to your home after dark, they can see anything that may be in the front or backyard such as skunks, raccoons, possums, or toys that could be tripping hazards. Your family’s steps are guided by a well-lit path to the door. If something unfamiliar is around the house, you can easily detect its presence. Lighting is essential to safety.

Of course, installing lighting in outdoor areas also helps reduce the risk of trip and fall accidents around your property. Good lighting can provide protection.

Property Enhancement

Outdoor lighting is a great security feature and improves your home’s appearance at night. A well-lit home is an aesthetically pleasing home. It improves your property value, highlights architectural features, and makes your home an overall safer place to be. Outdoor lighting not only keeps your home safe but also keeps your home’s value secure, too.

Home security must be a priority for everyone. Outdoor lighting is an easy solution for keeping criminals away from your home. Don’t make it easy for thieves and unsavory characters to target your property. Get good quality lighting to illuminate your home at night and keep your family and property safe and secure. Choose Premier Lighting today to get your outdoor lighting from a trusted and experienced source. Contact us today!

Tips For Choosing Great Exterior Lighting Fixtures

Enhancing a home’s level of safety is one of the primary purposes of exterior lighting and related fixtures. You may create a well-lit external space that will boost your sense of safety while also allowing you to eliminate any shadowy or hazardous regions in your yard or garden.

According to the New York Scientific Research Crime Lab, homes that lacked exterior lighting had a 7% higher risk of being victims of a crime than the prevalence associated with neighborhoods and homes with outdoor lighting. The installation of outside lighting on your property will make it safer, improve your home’s appearance, and add value to it.

Lighting also generates an acceptable tone for nighttime conversations and helps establish an ambiance that is particularly welcoming for entertaining guests. The following is a guide to help you select the best exterior lighting fixtures.

1. Type of Lighting

Make sure your home’s safety and structural integrity are not jeopardized by your choice of outdoor lighting, which should serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. Only use the amount of light necessary to complete the task without going overboard. If you can help it, stay away from door-blocking lighting fixtures.

2. Points of Focus

If you have a general understanding of your yard, selecting the appropriate lighting fixtures will be much easier. You will be able to create a beautiful nighttime landscape because you will know where each lighting fixture will go.

3. Color

Remember that your light fixtures will be visible throughout the day and at night. It is important to pick out the proper colored fixtures to achieve the appearance you are going for.

4. Durability

You want exterior lighting fixtures that will last for the longest time possible. LED bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and produce beautiful light that lasts for a long time. Compared to fluorescent or incandescent lights, you will spend less money and time on bulb replacements.

5. Installation

Will you be doing the installation, or will you need to hire the services a professional to do it? This is yet another thing to consider when choosing your exterior lights, as it will help you choose the right and easy-to-install units if it is a DIY.If you are having problems choosing the outdoor lighting combination ideal for your home, contact an exterior lighting fixture expert to assist you.

How to Save Money on Outdoor Lighting  

Outdoor lighting is crucial, and it is a vital part of creating the best space for you and your family. Homeowners must know what to install and how they can save money because lighting costs will add up in the long run if you don’t have the correct type. The Department of Energy has calculated that a typical American household spends up to 10% of its budget on lighting alone. Luckily, there are several options to consider. Let’s take a look at ways to save money with your outdoor lighting!

Pick Efficient Bulbs

Nowadays, there are lightbulbs specifically created to be energy-efficient. Unfortunately, however, most people used to go for incandescent bulbs, which are huge drains on your lighting bill. These bulbs may be cheaper short term, but in the long term, you will end up paying more.

Although these bulbs are no longer sold in America, it is important to know about them. Sometimes, buying a cheap bulb might seem like a great option, especially if you have to buy a bunch at a time. However, if you invest in a slightly more expensive option, you will save much more in the long run.

The most popular energy-efficient bulbs are LEDs. Light-emitting diodes are the best option for the outdoors because they are bright and won’t increase your bill too much. Other customers might opt for CFDs, compact fluorescent lights, which are not as efficient, but may still work for your outdoor lighting. Finally, there are metal halide bulbs, which give natural light and are a popular favorite.

Another great option for saving money is choosing motion-sensing lights for your outdoor areas. That way, you won’t accidentally leave them on all night, and it is a better option for your safety.

Maintenance Is Key

While outdoor lighting is designed to withstand a lot, you still have to check it occasionally to make sure that everything is in top shape. That way, you won’t have to spend more on new items or fixing them once a bigger issue arises.

Now that you know what to buy, it’s time to check out Premier Lighting, which has the best options for your outdoor spaces and anything else you might need!