8 Common Outdoor Lighting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Having a reliable outdoor home lighting setup requires knowing what can hinder your progress. Here are common outdoor lighting mistakes and how to avoid them.
Outdoor lighting around your home or business is helpful, but did you know that it can also boost its value and help with safety and security?
The right outdoor lighting, placement, and plans can also boost its curb appeal and make spending time outside more pleasant for guests, customers, and yourself.
Getting your outdoor lighting just right is essential to making the most of it. That's why it's important to learn about the potential outdoor lighting mistakes you may come across when choosing your lights.

At Buell Electric, we take pride in providing electrical services for residential, commercial, and marine maintenance, repair, and more. Read on to learn our best tips for avoiding lighting mistakes.
1. A Lack of Planning
When it comes to installing outdoor lighting, there is much more that should be taken into consideration than simply buying some fixtures.
To start, survey your property. Take a walk around it and consider all the areas you would like to have lighting in. It may even help to draw a map of your property to plan more strategically.
Make sure you have a clear idea of how many lights you want, where you want to place them, and how big they should be.
2. Wrong Locations
Placing your lights in the right area is a large part of creating the perfect light situation around your property.
If you're looking to install home security lights outside, make sure you know exactly where you need them. A backyard entrance, back door, front door, and any part of your property that is particularly dark will benefit from lights.
If decorative lighting is part of your plan, make sure to place lights where they can be seen and admired, but won't take over your landscaping and home's exterior.
3. Not Enough Lighting
While it's prudent to create and maintain an outdoor lighting budget, you don't want to make the mistake of not investing in your lighting enough.
While not all outdoor areas need lighting, it's important to figure out what areas do.
Once you know where you will want the most lighting, don't skimp on the number of fixtures you buy or rush when finding the right level of brightness that you need.
4. Too Much Lighting
Just like you should make sure you don't have too little lighting, it's as much of a mistake to have too much lighting.
Your lighting choices should adequately light up your space without flooding your whole outdoor area with distracting or disarming light.
All outdoor lighting serves a purpose, such as lighting up your walkway or porch and front door area. As a rule of thumb, once your lighting choices have satisfied their purpose, that's enough lighting.
On a decorative note, too many fixtures clustered together can also look unappealing and messy.
5. Choosing the Wrong Color Temperature
Have you heard of color temperature? Color temperature in lighting is usually either warm or cool. Each has a unique effect and fits better in certain areas and can create different moods.
If you want your outdoor lighting setup to have a bit of a red hue, or be reminiscent of a cozy fireplace, you'll want to find warm lighting. This lighting usually looks best on outdoor dining tables, patios, or fire pit areas.
Cool lighting choices look more blue or white if that's the desired effect you want. This lighting may look best used on your front porch or along walking paths. When placed and pointed right, it can even mimic the glow of moonlight.
6. Not Using LED Lightbulbs
It's no secret that LED light fixtures are a wonderful choice no matter where you use them.
LED lights last longer than traditional ones, so you won't need to change the bulb out too frequently. These lightbulbs will also help you save money as they use less electricity.
If you love making eco-friendly choices you'll definitely feel good about purchasing LED lights. They are also sturdy enough to withstand different weather conditions, like rainstorms and they work in most temperatures.
When you do need to finally replace a bulb you'll only notice that your lighting is more dim than usual. This is because LED lights begin to dwindle as they lose power instead of simply burning out.
7. Not Considering Light Pollution
While the whole point of outdoor lighting is to brighten up spaces in the dark, there is such a thing as too much light.
Light pollution happens when your outdoor lights are too bright or you have placed too many in one area.
It's important to check your lights and make sure they aren't shining into a neighbor's yard or window.
You will also want to make sure your lights don't create a glare for drivers or pedestrians. Too much light can make it difficult to see, especially if your lighting in your driveway or facing the sidewalk is too bright.
8. Attempting DIY
While it's always fun to roll up your sleeves and take charge of home repairs and upgrades. However, when it comes to lighting it may be best to hire a professional.
You may be able to install smaller lighting fixtures on your own, like path or garden lights. Larger lighting projects, especially for the outdoors or in elevated areas, will likely require a trained person with experience.
There's no shame in asking for help! In the long run, hiring a professional will likely save you time and money, and may even help prevent any accidents or injuries.
Outdoor Lighting Mistakes and More
Now you know some of the most common outdoor lighting mistakes. You can now avoid these by following our tips and tricks to get the perfect outdoor lighting.
If you're ready to upgrade or install your outdoor lighting, we've got you covered at Buell Electric. Contact us today to request a free quote for your next lighting projects.
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