Table of Contents
Outdoor LED wall lights are a great way to enhance your living space. Able to be used as ambient, accent and security lighting alike, such fixtures can improve not only the functionality of your space, but the aesthetic charm of it as well.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the many home exterior wall lighting benefits you can reap with well-placed exterior lighting.
Enhance Your Home’s Security with Outdoor Lighting
Adding LED lighting for home safety is a common course of action for many homebuyers. Lighting plays a major role in making the home feel more secure by illuminating the exterior space more clearly.
By eliminating shadows, you can make it harder for intruders to sneak around the property. Beyond that, well-placed outdoor lighting can light up the area near a security camera. This will ensure that any security footage that is captured is easy to see and review.
Boost Curb Appeal with Well-Placed Outdoor LED Lights
For many homebuyers, the way the house looks from the street is a huge perk. They want something that stands out from the other houses in the neighborhood and catches the eye.
LED garden lighting solutions can provide just that. By lighting up the house and garden, you can easily enhance curb appeal with LED lighting. Wall lights, soffit lights, ground lights and beyond can create a gorgeous space that you’ll love to show off.
Even if you don’t intend to sell anytime soon, you can reap the same rewards. Using modern LED wall lights, you can light up the facade of the house and make the building itself stand out. You can also add them to garden walls to accent certain features in the garden.
Increase Functionality and Extend Outdoor Living Areas
Outdoor lighting for patios and gardens will help you make the most out of your outdoor living area. Instead of having to go inside once the sun sets, a well-lit outdoor living area allows you to enjoy it at night as well.
This is particularly important for those who like to host dinner parties in the summertime. Lighting the patio also makes your outdoor space a quiet oasis for you to relax in at night after work.
Energy Efficiency: Save on Bills with LED Outdoor Lights
One of the biggest draws to wall mounted LED lights is their energy efficient nature. Benefits of energy efficient lighting are many, especially when it comes to stylish outdoor wall lighting for homes.
Exterior lights tend to run all night. Many people like to have them on from dusk til dawn. Having any light on for up to 12 hours straight could run up the bill a bit if you were using traditional bulbs.
But with energy efficient outdoor lighting, that concern is minimized. LED lights use 80 percent less energy than their traditional counterparts; lessened energy consumption translates to lower electricity bills. By using eco-friendly outdoor lighting, you can shave off the cost of running them.
Highlight Your Landscape and Architectural Features
One of the best things you can do with your outdoor wall lights is to create a magical garden area. Whether you have interesting sculptures, art, water features or just some favorite plants, outdoor lighting can show them off.
Accent lights are one of the three light layers that your garden should have–the other two being ambient and task. Accent light does exactly as its name suggests: accents or highlights a feature.
Outdoors, it comes in different forms, like spotlights, uplights or wall lights. The goal is to shine it strategically in such a way that it enhances an element of the space. Whether this is the texture of an accent wall or casting intentional shadows upon a sculpture, outdoor wall lights can achieve this.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Lighting for Different Areas
Your garden space is varied and will require different types of lighting depending on what you wish to accomplish there. Below are some of the different lighting types you can incorporate.
- WALL LIGHTS. Wall lights, as mentioned, are some of the most versatile fixtures you can install. From lighting up pathways to accenting the texture of a wall, these diverse fixtures can utterly transform your outdoor living space. Wall lights are especially beneficial for patios and decks, offering soft, cosy illumination for you to relax by.
- GROUND LIGHTS. Ground lights can serve many purposes. From zoning out different areas of the garden to lighting up pathways, the possibilities are endless. A ground light that shines illumination upwards is also good for accent lighting, especially where trees and sculptures are concerned.
SPOTLIGHTS. Spotlights are another versatile style of outdoor lighting. Whether you place them up high for a moonlighting effect, or install them low to graze a wall, they can add plenty of depth and visual interest to your outdoor space.
Weather-Resistant Lighting Solutions for Year-Round Use
Since your outdoor lights will be exposed to the elements, it is important that you choose fixtures that are up to the task. Weatherproof outdoor wall lighting will ensure that your lights do not suffer damages from wind, rain or debris.
To ensure you are working with weatherproof lighting, look for the IP rating as indicated by the LED lighting supplier. An IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, indicates to you how well a light resists moisture and debris. The first digit of an IP rating indicates solids resistance, while the second digit refers to its moisture resistance.
First Digit – Solids
0 – Does not protect against solid materials
1 – Will protect against entry of solid objects that are 50 millimeters or larger
2 – Will protect against entry of by solid objects that are 12 millimeters or larger
3 – Will protect against entry of by solid objects that are 2.5 millimeters or larger
4 – Will protect against entry of by solid objects that are one millimeter or larger
5 – Offers dust protection
6 – Completely dust tight
Second Digit – Moisture
0 – Does not protect against moisture
1 – Will protect against vertically falling water drops
2 – Will protect against falling water drops at a maximum angle 15 degrees
3 – Will protect against falling water drops at a maximum angle 60 degrees
4 – Will protect against splashing or projection
5 – Will protect against low pressure jets
6 – Will protect against high pressure jets
7 – Will protect against temporary immersion
8 – Will protect against long periods of immersion
When it comes to outdoor lighting, having IP65 rated lights or higher is your best bet.
Easy Installation Tips for Outdoor Wall Lights
It is recommended that you hire a qualified electrician to handle your lights for you. That said, if you are confident in safely doing it yourself, here are a few outdoor wall lighting installation tips to make the process smoother.
- PLAN AHEAD. Before you start drilling holes and running wires, walk around the property and make marks on where you want to place them. This will give you a good idea of the final outcome, while allowing you to make changes before you commit.
- TURN OFF THE MAINS POWER. Be sure that before you actually install the lights, you have turned off the power. This will help you avoid risks of electric shock. You can use a voltage tester to ensure the power is completely off before you start.
- USE HIGH QUALITY TOOLS. From wire strippers to cutters and drills, having good quality tools will make the job easier. It should also take up less time.
Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Outdoor Wall Lights
When you’re ready to start shopping for your new decorative LED wall lights for outdoors, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Price
If you are shopping on a budget, it’s a good idea to be mindful of how much you’re spending. Still, while you may want to save as much as possible, know that with lights, you tend to get what you pay for. Cutting corners on price may come back to bite you with a need for constant replacements later down the line.
Style
Opt for a style of light that fits with your existing aesthetic. There are many different finishes, design styles, colours and materials for you to choose from. This will allow you to create a cohesive exterior design.
IP Rating
The IP rating is arguably one of the most important things to pay attention to when shopping. If you don’t have a light that is resistant to the elements, you may end up having to replace and repair them often. Choose a light with an IP65 rating or higher for best results.
Durability
Similarly, you will need to ensure that your light is durable in its build as well. Choose materials such as aluminium, steel or brass to ensure that it is capable of withstanding exposure without tarnishing. Paired with the right IP rating, you can be sure you will get to enjoy the fixture for years to come.
Conclusion
Outdoor wall lighting can take your outdoor living space to new heights. In the article above, we’ve explored a few ways to incorporate it into your own home as well as some tips for shopping and installation.
Ambient Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Spread light beautifully over garden and house walls with the LWA288A 6 Watt Round LED Up And Down Outdoor Wall Light. This cylindrical light shines 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light up and down the wall behind it at a 90 degree angle. It is fashioned out of high quality aluminium and comes in your choice of black or white finishes. Overall, this durable aluminium light measures 100 millimeters by 136 millimeters and has an IP65 rating.
Perfect for entryways, patios and everything in between, the LWA706 12 Watt Square Black Outdoor Wall Light is a modern square shaped wall light for any outdoor space. The light shines an ultra bright 1200 lumens of 3000K warm white light. It sits behind an acrylic diffuser that softens and spreads the light. This fixture is fashioned out of high quality aluminium and features a weather resistant IP65 rating. It measures 155 millimeters by 155 millimeters in size.
Sleek and modern, the LWA386 12 Watt Round Black Outdoor LED Wall Light is a gorgeous, low profile wall light for your garden. It features a thin opal acrylic diffuser ring from which the 1200 lumens of 3000K warm white light shines. This alumiinium fixture has an IP65 rating and comes in a neutral black finish. It measures 150 millimeters in diameter, making it easy to install on any garden wall.
Enhance your outdoor living space with the LWA454 6 Watt Wall Wash LED Outdoor Wall Light. This wall light features a slim, rectangular body with an acrylic diffuser on the bottom. 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light shine down on the wall below it, washing it in warm illumination. Thanks to its aluminium build and its IP65 rating, it is well-suited for outdoor use. It measures 120 millimeters wide by 80 millimeters high and comes in your choice of black or white.
