Choosing Outdoor Lights For Your Home's Entertaining Areas

Choosing lighting for your outside entertaining areas is not as straight forward as one might think. No longer are you restricted to the harsh glare of fluorescent tube lighting or flood lights. There are so many options available on the market today for all functions and effects. All outdoor lights should of course be weather proof and for this reason are usually made from stainless steel or some other weather resistant material.

The power source should be a valid consideration when selecting your external lighting. Many lights these days are solar powered ensuring that your utility bill doesn't sky rocket. When thinking about reducing energy consumption, you might also consider sensored light systems to ensure that lights are never left on unnecessarily but are only triggered at key times.

Outdoor lights are not limited to hanging lights such as in ceilings on the side of your deck. For a more contemporary approach, you might consider the use of LED down lights in your outdoor space. LED downlights are long lasting and provide for softer lighting options than traditional fluorescent tube lighting. They also provide more light per watt of power than other light types and are therefore far more economical.

These days your choices also extend to in ground path lighting systems which are very effective for lighting pathways. These pathway lights are also available in flush to the ground varieties so as not to cause obstacles. Coupled with solar and or sensor driven technology, these also ensure a safe environment for your guests.

Lighting inbuilt into stairs or steps is another way to ensure the safety of your family and guests. Other options that you might consider include lamp lighting which could consist of the more traditional street lamps (think Florence Nightingale) or more contemporary versions.

When considering fixture lighting you might consider whether you want the bulb itself to be fixed in one direction or multi directional. You may also opt for a festive type of light such as the string lighting that is available. These fairy type lights also come in fixed colours or changing colours which can be very effective for a party atmosphere. The bulb colour of your outdoor lighting will also affect the mood of your outdoor space with certain colour providing for a warm glow and others cool lighting. Other outdoor lighting options include diffused lighting such as louvred lighting where you can adjust the light strength and direction.

It is amazing how well thought out outdoor lighting can effect and enhance the mood of your gathering.