Outdoor Lighting Basics

Three Types of Outdoor Lights

A well-designed outdoor lighting system allows you to use your space in comfort and safety during the evening. It should illuminate key points, such as conversation areas, cooking centers, doors, walkways, pool surrounds, and stairs. Landscape lighting also can be used to highlight special features, such as plants or trees, and can provide security lighting around foundation plantings and fences.

Outdoor lighting comes in three types: regular fixtures that use 120-volt household current, low voltage, and solar-power. Low voltage lighting is increasingly popular because it's safe, inexpensive, and easy to install. Manufacturers of low voltage lighting offer an array of styles and configurations made especially for outdoor residential use. These are readily available at home improvement centers. Solar and low voltage lights are either freestanding units or fasten to posts, railings, stair risers, and other components.