Front yard lighting ideas are a major consideration when designing an approach to your home.
Aesthetic and practical factors must be taken into account, including the positioning and power sources of each light, and you will also need to consider outdoor lighting from any street lights or nearby properties as they affect the lighting levels in the home in the evening.
These outdoor lighting ideas will provide a warm welcome to guests, help make the home safer, and look good to boot.
front yard lighting ideas
Front landscaping ideas should include lighting for both aesthetics and safety. Just as with backyard lighting ideas, be sure to check the safety rating for each of the lighting fixtures you intend to select when installing garden lighting. Those designed for “wet” conditions are essential, although a “wet” rating may suffice on a covered porch.
1. Add beautiful porch lighting
(Photo credit: Marianne Louise Designs/Kaley Elaine)
There are a large number of front porch lighting ideas that are sure to create a warm welcome for you, your family and the visiting guests. In fact, there are so many different sizes and styles that it’s hard to narrow down.
“When it comes to choosing front porch lighting ideas, I think of a few things,” explains designer Mimi Meacham of Marianne Louise Designs. The first is the amount of light required. Is it a large or small space? Long or short cap? Are there other lighting fixtures nearby? Second, I think about the style of the house, whether it’s a traditional, modern, or somewhere in between. I will usually use the style of the house to guide the selection of lighting fixtures. Finally, I decide between a flowing stand, candelabra, or pendant. This depends on the amount of space you have as well as the look you are trying to achieve.
2. Consider the material
(Image credit: Dar Al Illaya Group)
Consider the materials used to light the front yard, which will affect the appearance as well as the cost of outdoor lighting.
“Most people want lights that look like they’ve been part of the property for years,” explains Charlie Bowles of Original BTC. “Natural materials with an impressive patina such as bronze, brass, and renewable brass are the best choices because they are low maintenance, age well and weather nice.”
3. Illuminate the border of the flower
(Image credit: Sparkle Lighting)
Solar garden lighting ideas can be the perfect way to display plants after dusk. Home Head Mark Feldman recommends, ‘If you have a landscape or garden outside that you’re particularly proud of, make sure you see it day and night with landscape accent lights hidden between your plantings, or add elegant lampposts that are interesting as your foliage.’ ‘. Riverbend Home Officer.
4. Make sure the garden steps can be seen
(Image source: Getty Images)
Keep your garden staircase safer to use after dark as part of your front yard lighting ideas.
“If you’re lucky enough to have walls next to your steps, you have the perfect place to put your lights,” explains Philip Milner, Artistic Director, Lighting For Gardens. They can be dipped into the walls to give you an uncluttered look, or if that’s not practical, there are surface-mounted lamps that don’t stand out much. Some lights have eyelids to reduce glare.
5. Add lighting beside the track
(Image source: Getty Images)
If your home is accessed via any type of front yard driveway, adding lighting is important. Path lighting not only helps visitors find their way around and reduces the possibility of accidents, but it will also prevent them from accidentally trampling on lawn or flower bed ideas.
6. Consider easy-to-add solar lighting
(Photo credit: Kichler for Riverbend Home)
Unlike wired front yard lighting ideas, solar lights require very little effort to install. Simply place the attached panel and place it in the sunlight.
“Solar lighting is great for bringing a warm glow and sparkle to your garden and you don’t need to think about plugging it in. Most work on timers too, so you don’t have to remember to turn them on or off,” says Thalia Shaw, founder of Sparkle Lighting.
“You need to be a little patient with solar lighting and make sure your lights are in excellent conditions to make sure they work including a clean solar panel at all times and plenty of direct sunlight with no shades. They also sometimes need to be turned off for a while to give them plenty of opportunity to recharge.
7. Add a decorative touch with garland lights
(Image credit: Lights4Fun)
Choose outdoor string lighting ideas for the most beautiful lighting in your front yard. Lighting a wreath looks beautiful over a pink arch, fence or fence. Instead, choose a freestanding design such as shepherd’s hook festoon lights to set the path.
8. Don’t forget to install the security lighting
(Image source: Getty Images)
Consider garden security lighting as part of your front yard lighting ideas to keep your home safer. Opt for spotlights, spotlights, or wall-mounted lights, and consider motion-activated lighting that will turn on as necessary but won’t leave the outside of your home constantly lit.
“Lighting is an effective and cost-effective way to deter potential thieves,” says Mark Feldman. Use security flashlights to “flood” an area with bright light. Lanterns let people know you’re home, whether it’s placed at the end of a driveway, near driveways, or by the door.
“Make sure all entrances to your home are lit: wall lights on either side of the door, or ceiling lights on covered entryways provide perfect lighting for welcoming the people you want at your door, and discouraging those you don’t.”
9. Light up your driveway
(Image credit: Annabelle James)
Drivers will appreciate the added guidance of front yard lighting ideas as they approach your home, and it’s a good idea to include it in your driveway design before you start building rather than trying to install it later.
“Exterior lighting for walkways, driveways, and steps is much easier and more effective if you plan it in the construction phase,” says Piero De Marchis, Director of Detail Lighting.
Not only does this give you more options that are potentially less intrusive, but it enables you to custom install cables before anything is built. There is nothing worse than having to go through a perfectly tuned driveway or digging the perfect lawn.
10. Light up the living wall
(Image credit: Sparkle Lighting)
Climbing plants and living wall ideas are a beautiful way to add character and personality to the exterior of your home and provide a great opportunity to incorporate decorative lighting into your front yard.
“If you have a climber with sturdy branches or if you have a trellis, you can attach lights to branches or panels using garden twine, wire, or zip ties,” says Thalia Shaw. You won’t be able to see the cable as it comes in dark or light brown. Green leaves and twinkling fairy lights are just the perfect combination.
How do I brighten my front yard?
Adding solar lights is one of the easiest ways to light up your front yard. Add sunbeds to your border along with the track or drive to provide beautiful, functional lighting. For an even more significant addition, install motion-activated security lighting to provide extra security for your home – they’ll also come in handy when you come home at night.
“Advances have made outdoor lighting much easier to retrofit, cheaper to operate and more resistant to the elements and condensation,” says Piero de Marches. “Retro LED lighting is of course possible and there are plenty of ways to do it. Invisible outdoor track lights and sprockets are great lighting solutions that create interest and depth.
Does outdoor lighting increase the value of a home?
Outdoor lighting can increase the value of a home. “Properly thought out and installed front yard lighting can increase the value of a property by 20 percent or more,” says Ben Fisher, a specialist in luxury real estate at The Fisher Group. “It not only accentuates the architectural structure, but also enhances your home’s security.”
“Good-thought-out front yard exterior lighting makes the home feel warmer and more inviting,” he adds.
Outdoor lighting can also make selling a home easier. “Front yard lighting definitely adds perceived value to your home, making it more desirable to buyers,” says Bob Scott, founder of Sell Land. The most common reason is that it enhances the aesthetic and exterior features of your home. With front yard lighting, you can choose to highlight the best features in the area such as the garden, walkways, and door design. This increases your appeal and can invite more buyers in.
