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ChatI’ve spent years around houses and storefronts, and I’ve seen a pattern emerge: people will sink thousands of dollars into their landscaping, get the lawn absolutely perfect, and plant colorful flowers down the walkway. But what happens to the parts of the house that are above eye-level after the sun sets? Your guess is as good as mine.
An exterior light fixture does a lot more for your home’s curb appeal than almost any other element you could add. And it costs a fraction of what most home renovations do. Here’s the trick about lights… In the daytime, they generally blend right into the background, complementing the architecture seamlessly.
But once evening arrives, that single fixture quickly becomes the most noticed thing on your property. The light will be the first thing a neighbor walking their dog notices, and the first thing a guest sees when they pull into your driveway. Therefore, if it looks outdated or is not well-matched for your home, it will quickly bring down every other improvement you’ve made.
Start With the Entrance
The first stop for many of our customers interested in a new exterior fixture is the entrance, because after all, that’s where visitors get their initial impression of your home! Something that’s great for this, that also has a classic feel, is the Gardena .
This fixture has a barn-style look with a modern twist. It sets an inviting tone that blends perfectly with farmhouse styles but feels fresher than your average hardware-store fixture. It’s constructed from steel, which will hold up well against weathering, unlike flimsy materials that corrode quickly in damp or cold climates. When selecting an exterior light fixture, considering materials like this is crucial.
Do not Ignore the Garage
For a lot of people, the garage door area and its lighting are not subjects to be considered. However, this area receives a huge amount of traffic. And your garage’s exterior wall represents a significant focal area on your house’s exterior. A single wall-mounted fixture with character not only provides much-needed visibility, but also boosts the entire look of that side of the house. Our Coldwater exterior light fixture comes into play here.
It is a round, domed fixture which complements a house in modern or contemporary ways without fighting with other architectural elements of the building. That said, your garage deserves to be highlighted too!
Porches Deserve Better
Porches often serve as “second living rooms” for many people, but their lighting is typically overlooked. We have seen some absolutely beautiful porches. All but ruined by a single builder-grade, mass-produced light that could have clearly been picked up from the nearest store in a hurry and barely given a second thought. Lighting a porch well can change how it feels almost immediately, creating a welcoming social space instead. The Topanga is a good example of an outdoor porch light.
This fixture is characterized by an old-school gas-station light feel. With its slightly curved design, it provides a sense of purpose while fitting seamlessly with almost any era of building. It’s worth every penny!
Store Front Visibility is the New Trend
For store owners, exterior lighting is more than just appearance. Signage is the focal point of a storefront’s existence. It should therefore be well lit and clearly visible from the street to generate business, even through a drive-by.
The “Venice” is great for a storefront because this fixture provides precise direction. And it can be targeted on signage or any desired point, enhancing your shop’s identity while providing critical visibility. Yes, a store sign with good external lighting is far more effective for new and return customers than any new or replaced product offering.
Patios are Where Life Happens
Patios, where many evenings and good times often take place, deserve special treatment with an appropriately chosen exterior light fixture. If you ask me for patio light recommendations, I would point to a dome-shaped fixture.
One excellent example in this category is the new “Riverside,” a modern version of our popular barn lights. Its 16-inch conical dome shape is perfectly suited for most applications and settings, from entryways to patios.
Consistency Is King Above All Else
There is something we tell most of our customers: “Mixing your materials and finishes for exterior lighting is often a good idea.” Even though many customers become confused and think it is not possible without great difficulty.
Consistency in style will always trump matching if you want to complement the overall aesthetic of your home. If your entire house is decorated in a “farmhouse style”, throwing in an over-the-top modern fixture will make your space look … well … cluttered!
And if you’re going for a rustic, industrial look, a pendant-style fixture can work outdoors too, not just inside. The Carson is a good example, and it holds up in both commercial and residential settings without looking out of place in either.
Is it Worth Spending Money for Exterior Lighting?
I get asked a lot whether it’s worth spending more on a quality exterior light fixture versus grabbing something cheap from a big box store. My honest answer is yes, and not because of snobbery. Cheap fixtures rust, fade, and crack within a couple of seasons, especially if you’re anywhere near humidity or salt air. You end up replacing them twice as often, which means you’re not saving money at all.
A Simple Way to Find Your Weak Spots
If I had to give one piece of advice to someone starting this process, it would be to walk around your home at night with a flashlight and just look at where shadows fall. Notice which parts of the exterior disappear into darkness and which ones could use a little definition. That’s usually where a new fixture makes the biggest difference, more than any spot you’d guess during daylight hours.
Refreshing a home’s exterior doesn’t require a full renovation. Sometimes it really does come down to a handful of well-chosen fixtures placed in the right spots. Get the entryway, the garage, and maybe the porch or patio right, and the whole house starts to feel different the moment the sun goes down.
