The days are getting longer and the ability to entertain outdoors into the later hours of the day is what everyone enjoys about Summer entertaining, right? There is something wonderful about having friends and family over to enjoy music, great food and of course the ambiance of the night air!
Although one aspect of evening Summer entertaining that is often forgotten is outdoor lighting. Illuminating the exterior of your home is essential for safety, security and for your guests to enjoy a lovely evening.
Take a look at these simple ways to use outdoor lighting fixtures to brighten your home this summer.
Creating a safe outdoor evening home with lighting:
When entertaining outdoors this Summer consider areas that have low visibility and shadowed areas that could be unsafe for people to walk. Lighting fixtures come in an array of different styles and formats for your outdoor home.
Walkway or path lighting fixtures are perfect for sidewalks, pathways and around landscaping beds. Consider using wall sconces against the exterior walls of your home to give a clear pathway for guests to see ahead of them and judge where they are walking to and from your home.
Illuminate your entrance beautifully:
Make a statement in your outdoor entry or patio area with a hanging light fixture like this one below. This lighting comes in the Mossoro collection with matching fixtures throughout your outdoor home, such as wall sconces, pendant lighting and more. The tapered lantern style gives an old-world appeal to your outdoor home. Hand-applied Mossoro walnut finish features silver highlights that works beautifully with an array of architectural home styles.
Mossoro 19” High Outdoor/Indoor Hanging Light
Giving the appearance of security is essential:
Whether you are entertaining a large neighborhood group of friends or they all have gone home, your outdoor home in the evening hours should always look “lived-in”.
This means that your outdoor landscaping should be illuminated as well as front patio and entryway should look inviting. Ensure your home is not a prey for security issues like intruders or stray animals by keeping around the perimeter of your home well lit. Outdoor lighting such as porch lights, wall lights, and motion/security lights can help you feel confident your home is safe.
Enjoying guests with lifestyle lighting that fits the occasion:
When entertaining enjoy your activities and conversation until the late hours of the evening with lanterns on tables, fun tikki torches around the pool and string lighting over your outdoor dining area. For permanent lighting solutions look to overhead ambient lighting fixtures in summer kitchen canopies or affixed to the side of your home in the form of wall sconces. Determine how much light is needed for your activities and choose lighting that will enable guests to enjoy a safe, secure and memorable evening at your home!
Image credits:Sennikoff Architects, Chelsea Construction Corp