What’s New in Outdoor Lighting

Lights on the house aren’t just for the holidays. Patio lighting creates a warm ambient space for friends to gather and watch fireflies. Front stoops provide gentle lighting for a new couple to gaze upon each other one last time before they part. Deprived of outdoor lighting, we would crash into our neighbors’ mailboxes after sunset. Burglars would feel safer prowling neighborhoods. Parents wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on their teenagers outside, or flicker the lights when they think it’s time to come inside.

A light out front  is helpful to friends who need to find their way over, and foreboding to uninvited guests. Floodlights effectively scare off the bad guys. Something about them will make anybody feel like they’re being watched.

Sea Gull’s Hill Gate flush mount has a timeless beauty.The contrast between the black finish and the white light is very striking. All of these collections have variations of the light fixtures in the forms of sconces, pendants and mounts.

Sometimes it’s fun to accentuate the intimidating aspect. A gargoyle here, an eerie lantern there, and not only are you ready for Halloween with a couple of green light bulbs, but you don’t have to worry about solicitors anymore. These are manufactured by Triarch International. Lanterns look beautiful mounted atop posts, but they also look enchanting on the ground lining the path to the front door.

Finding something classic that suits your taste is easy. After just a few minutes of browsing, I found a personal favorite with the The Barclay Collection pendant model by Sea Gull.

The pendant models hang down and look lovely in an alcove by the front door. This particular model looks so much like a bird cage. For something more modern, but equally chic, the LED exterior wall light does the trick.

This model by Triarch International uses the newest energy saving technology. It comes with the 7.2 watt LED light to make a reality of going green and saving money on electric bills. Energy efficient light bulbs are ideal for the outdoors because they only last if they are left on for long periods of time. Turn them on and off as you might do with your bedroom light and they will burn out sooner.

This moon shaped light’s large round shape reminds me of those breathtaking Japanese paper lanterns. I’ll admit my favorite thing about it is its price at $32.

Some of the quirkier designs include the monkey post outdoor lighting or the big pineapple in the Maui collection. The monkey climbs as if the post were his jungle tree. There is also a cute frog version of this light, and if you enjoy those charming little buddies, definitely check it out.

Don’t write this one off as too fruity just yet. It’s very Miami, but it can work anywhere if coordinated tastefully. It is cast in English bronze and hand painted with gold highlights. A pineapple gives a beach house that extra tropical kick, which probably explains why Floridians use them so frequently in their decorating. People have seen the pineapple throughout history as luxurious and indulgent. I would have these mounted on posts inside a glass dome pool enclosure to finish off a hidden paradise.