Celebrations held at home tend to be intimate yet long-drawn affairs, which is why you need to make sure that your property is well-equipped to handle such occasions. You’re likely to entertain on your deck, yard, or patio if you have rather limited space inside your house. However, these outdoor spaces will need proper illumination if you plan to host festivities that extend well into the evening.

Outdoor lighting is unlike the kind used indoors; for starters, the fixtures need to be tough enough to endure day-to-day exposure to the elements. These lights also need to be bright enough to illuminate the whole expanse of your deck or patio, yet also energy-efficient enough to not burn through your monthly utility budget. It is, thus, not surprising why powerful, affordable, and low-energy and LED lights are the favorite choice due to the affordability, brightness, and low-energy LED bulbs are a favorite option when it comes to outdoor lighting.

If you’re building a new home, you can consult with your landscape contractor about suitable outdoor lighting options that can be incorporated into your home’s overall building plan. Planning for outdoor lighting while a house is being built also allows electricians to come up with a proper wiring layout. Thereafter, you can add solar-powered outdoor lighting fixtures if you wish so you don’t need to tinker with the wiring system.

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Unlike interior spaces that have defined measurements, it can be harder to lay out a plan for outdoor spaces. Things can be even more complicated when outdoor lighting is involved, since lighting fixtures need to be added in such a way that they don't mar the beauty of your yard or garden. Interestingly, there's actually an art to outdoor lighting, and homeowners might want to learn a thing or two before plopping down a couple of lanterns.

Outdoor lighting will no doubt add to your electric bill, which is why you need to take into how much energy the new lighting setup will consume on average. You might want to first calculate the total wattage of each lighting fixture before rushing headlong into the project. You certainly wouldn’t want to invest in fancy lighting fixtures only to see your power bill shoot up tremendously in the succeeding months.

Another aspect you’ll need to consider when installing outdoor lights is the mechanism by which you can control them. While a simple switch setup might do, you need to be conscientious about turning it off; otherwise, you might encounter some nasty accidents or unnecessary bill spikes. You might want to opt for an automated system with a timer and/or motion sensor so you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving the lights on all night.

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