Exterior lighting adds both aesthetic and functional benefits to a home. While each lighting design will be unique, many homeowners opt to start with the entry as this is the house’s public face. The key here, according to the experts at Farrey’s Lighting & Bath, is to not go too small. Typically lanterns next to the front door will range between 25% and 35% of the door opening. Rear doors often have a smaller fixture. There will often be several sizes of lanterns and post heads to fit in additional spaces around the exterior of the house. For covered patios, the newest trends are outdoor chandeliers and pendants to add a more decorative element to outside living, as well as outdoor fans with or without a light kit to keep you cool. Landscape lighting boosts curb appeal and creates visual drama when techniques such as grazing — bringing out the texture of stone or brick — shadowing and up-lighting are applied. Security lights such as motion sensor floodlights in key areas help round out a comprehensive design; Farreys.com.
