Category Archives: Outdoor

Why Your Outdoor Patio Deserves Lighting

outdoor lighting fixture

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

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

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

light fixture

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

exterior lighting

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

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!

How to Choose The Right Lighting For Your Home

 

Whether you know it or not, the right lighting can make or break any room in your house. If you’re considering new lighting at home, you need to think of it as essential rather than just an afterthought. Here are some tips to choose the right lighting for your home.

Go Room By Room

If you’re looking for lighting, it’s best to go room by room in your house and assess what your needs are. For example, lighting in a master bedroom can be different than the lighting needed for a bathroom. In fact, ambient lighting in a bathroom needs to be between 4,000 and 8,000 lumens and task mirror lighting needs to be around 1,700 lumens.

Your bedroom lighting needs to be all about comfort. You can use ambient lighting, but you can also use accent features, especially if you’re looking for fixtures with different brightness levels. Your dining room is the perfect place for a bold light fixture, especially if you’re going to entertain guests often. You can also use accent lighting if you need more light.

 

Consider Layering

Whether you’re installing bathroom lighting or outdoor lighting, natural light plays a part in optimizing the lighting in your home. During the day, you can get plenty of natural light flooding into a room by placing mirrors in spots that reflect off windows into other parts of a room. By making the best use of natural lighting, you can cut down on the number of blinds or curtains you have around the house and make the best use of your fixtures.

Go For Efficiency

With any kind of lighting, outdoor lighting, kitchen lighting or otherwise, go for energy-efficient lighting. These days, LED lighting lasts longer than other types of bulbs and will help you cut down on your energy bills. Think of energy-efficient lighting as an investment; one that will pay big dividends, especially with outdoor lighting like floodlights and pathway lights

With some careful planning and a thoughtful eye, lighting can achieve two goals in your home. You can get the perfect lighting for each room in your house and you can get lighting that’s energy-efficient and will save you money. Lighting is just as important as furniture or paint color in a room and you’ll be thankful for the time you put into picking the best lighting.

3 Ways to Make Your Home Pop With Outdoor Lighting

outdoor lighting

Making the exterior of your home pop with outdoor lighting is the ideal way to create an attractive exterior. Create an ambient glow with soft lighting for a relaxing mood or opt for bright lighting to create more energy during a backyard get-together. There are several ways that you can use outdoor lighting to make your home the envy of your neighbors.

Light Entryways and Paths

Lighting both a path and the entryway instantly makes a home appear more inviting. You can trust that guests will be able to approach confidently in the dark. However, it’s important that this lighting is not too bright or too dim. Lighting for entryways should be a minimum of 1,000 lumens and a maximum of 2,000 lumens. Lighting along pathways should be a minimum of 300 lumens. Make sure that your pathway lighting is dimmer than your entryway lighting for a gorgeous glow that is not overwhelming.

Highlight Water Features and Landscaping

Outdoor lighting can be used to transform your backyard garden from basic to beautiful. Lighting in your backyard that highlights water features can instantly make your backyard space sparkle. Use submersible outdoor lighting products to make a Koi pond glow, accentuate a waterfall, or highlight small water features. Similarly, you can install twinkling lights throughout large bushes and trees. Highlight gardens or garden features, such as a bench, with soft lighting. These small touches add an enchanting appeal to any outdoor space.

Illuminate Gathering Areas

If you frequently have backyard gatherings on your deck, your outdoor lighting should ensure that all of your guests can see when they are gathering on the deck. The same thing applies to other areas, such as a patio, swimming pool, or any sitting area. Instead of lighting up your entire backyard, focus on key areas to provide sufficient lighting. If your outdoor lighting is too bright, people will not feel comfortable.

While temporary lighting, such as fairy lights, can add a certain appeal to a garden, these are not suited for everyone. Consider installing permanent lighting fixtures. This is especially convenient if you already own your home, so browse our website to find the perfect products to meet your outdoor lighting needs!

3 Reasons to Make Sure Your Home’s Exterior Is Properly Lit

exterior lighting

One of the things you may have overlooked as a homeowner is lighting the outside of your house. You probably do not even realize you could use more lighting until you come home on an especially dark night. Although you may not spend a lot of time outside in the dark, having the exterior of your home well-lit can be helpful for many reasons. Consider these reasons why you should have proper lighting outside your house.

Increased Visibility

Being able to see at night may be the most obvious reason to invest in exterior lighting. Darkness isn’t limited to the evening; if you live in an area prone to rain or other weather, exterior lighting can help improve the visibility of and from your home on dark days. If you ever have guests or expect deliveries, having the exterior of your home well-lit will ensure that visitors and can safely make it to your front door. Path lighting is another great way to ensure everyone can see where they are going and avoid hazards in the dark. Path lighting can be especially beneficial if you have steps or uneven landscaping.

Security

Having exterior lighting makes your home less appealing to burglars. They do not want to go near a house that is completely lit up. Motion sensor lighting is ideal for keeping unwanted people away from your house. Motion sensors also light the path to welcome visitors to your home. It provides guests a warm and welcoming feeling to have the way lit for them. According to Creative Nightscapes, homes with well-lit exteriors are 7% less likely to be burglarized or targeted for other crimes. Exterior lighting is a simple addition to any home that could save you thousands by preventing theft.

Curb Appeal

Exterior lighting can focus on specific areas of your house to really make them stand out. For example, you can focus lighting on a prominent landscaping feature or another unique area of your home. Investing in exterior lighting can help increase your resale value, too. Any type of improvement or update of your home’s exterior will increase curb appeal and improve its value. Whether you’re planning to sell or not, highlighting your home’s appearance shows that you take pride in your property.

No one likes to stumble around in the dark. The good thing is: you don’t have to! If you want to upgrade the exterior lighting of your home, give us a call. We’re happy to offer suggestions and recommend products to keep your home safe and looking great.