Outdoor Lighting To-Dos for Your New House

Congratulations on making the thrilling decision to settle into your brand-new home! As you open boxes and begin making it your own, don't forget a vital aspect that will improve its beauty, safety, and functionality, especially during our distinct Alaskan seasons: outdoor lighting. Our specialty at AK Trimlight is lighting homes exactly like yours; we have compiled the best ‘to-do’ list for new house lighting to make sure your property glows from day one (and late into the Alaskan night!). 

Bright Starting Points: Your Outdoor Lighting  To-dos for a New House  

Moving into a new house is a blank canvas of possibilities, and your outdoor lighting for it is a great chance to make a statement and create a friendly space. It's more than just turning on a switch; it's about carefully designing and installing a system to meet your security, aesthetics, and extended outdoor living space requirements. Let's start with the basic to-dos to have your new house wonderfully lit.

   1. Prioritize Safety and Security from the Start

Make sure your new house lighting guarantees security and safety around your property. This covers:

• Entryway Lighting: 

Front and back doorways should be well illuminated. Think about chic wall sconces on either side of your entryway or overhead lights that would provide enough illumination for you and your guests. For further security and energy efficiency, motion sensor lights can also be quite useful. 

• Pathway Lighting: 

Especially on dark Alaskan evenings or in snowy weather, clearly defined and well-lit pathways are crucial for preventing accidents and falls. Consider low-voltage path lights, solar-powered choices for simplicity of installation, or even subtle recessed ground lights for a sleek look.

• Garage and Driveway Lighting: 

Make sure your driveway and garage area are well-lit for safe parking and entry. Strategically placed post lights or floodlights raised above the carport give enough coverage. For both convenience and extra security, think of using motion sensor lighting.

• Step Lighting: 

If your house has steps or changes in elevation, integrated step lights are essential for safety. These can be built along the sides of steps or into risers to offer subtle yet powerful lighting. 

   2. Enhance Curb Appeal and Highlight Architectural Features 

Your new house is a major investment; hence, appropriate exterior lighting will highlight its curb appeal and beauty.

• Architectural Lighting: 

Use uplighting to emphasize interesting architectural features like columns, gables, or unique textures. You can use downlighting to create dramatic shadows and highlight areas of interest. Think about the style of your house and select fixtures that complement its design.

• Landscape Lighting (Initial Phase): 

Even if you haven't completely landscaped yet, think about the placement of future plantings and install wiring or low-voltage systems now. This will make installing landscape lighting later much simpler. 

• Signage Lighting:

If your house number isn't visible at night, consider installing a dedicated light fixture to illuminate it for guests and emergency services. 

   3. Stretch Your Outdoor Living Space

Plan lighting for your patios, decks, and other outdoor living spaces to maximize —and sometimes fleeting—outside seasons: 

• Ambient Lighting:

String lights, lanterns, or dimmable overhead lamps will help to create a pleasant and inviting ambiance. Choose ambient lighting based on the dimensions and design of your outdoor areas. 

• Task Lighting: 

If you wish to have an outdoor kitchen or dining room, make sure you have enough task lighting for dining and food preparation. Pendant lights or adjustable spotlights can be ideal for this.

• Accent Lighting:

Highlight outdoor elements including fireplaces, water fountains, or seating areas with subtle accent lighting to add visual appeal and enhance the ambiance.

   4. Plan for Energy Efficiency and Smart Technology

Think about including energy-efficient and smart ideas as you furnish your new house with outside lighting:

• LED Lighting:

Embrace the durable and energy-efficient LED lights for all of your outdoor lighting. LEDs fit your needs by their vast spectrum of colors and temperature range. 

• Timers and Sensors:

Install timers to automatically turn on and off your lights at designated times, therefore saving energy and offering security. By only turning on lights as needed, motion sensors can improve security and energy efficiency even more. 

• Smart Lighting Systems:

Explore the possibilities for smart outdoor lighting systems that let you remotely control your lights using voice commands or a smartphone. You can change brightness, schedule, and even design unique lighting settings. 



   5. Consider Future Needs and Expansion

As you settle into your new house, your outdoor lighting requirements might change. Plan for possible future additions or modifications. 

• Low Voltage System:

Install a low-voltage landscape lighting system early on to create a flexible framework for adding or rearranging lights as your landscaping develops or your needs change. 

• Conduit Planning:

Consider burying the conduit during the initial installation phase to simplify wiring down the road.

   6. Hire Professionals Instead of DIY 

This is dangerous stuff! Although installing a few solar path lights could be a straightforward DIY project, handling electrical wiring for permanent outdoor lighting should always be left to qualified experts like AK Trimlight. We guarantee that the lighting in your new house is installed securely, accurately, and up to code, thus providing you peace of mind while protecting your investment. 

AK Trimlight: Your New Alaskan Home Partner 

Moving into a new house is an exciting time, and the right outside lighting will help you make it feel like home. Our goal at AK Trimlight is to enable Alaskan homeowners just like you to create lovely, safe, and useful outside spaces. From skilled installation and experienced design to premium, durable fixtures, we are your reliable friend in all things outdoor lighting. 

All set to liven the beginnings in your new Alaskan house? Contact AKTrimlight now for a consultation and let us assist you in designing the ideal outdoor lighting scheme for your new house!