Although it might not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking about landscape lighting, safety is a really important aspect to keep in mind when coming up with your outdoor lighting plan.
The most important areas to consider when placing outdoor lights for safety are paths, entries, driveways, and steps.
Driveways & Pathways
Low-voltage, LED or solar landscape lights are great ways to make sure people stick to the driveway and don’t accidentally drive onto the grass or your well-tended flower beds when they are driving up to your home.
Well lit paths are necessary as well as visually pleasing too, you don't want people to accidentally roll their ankles if they deviate from the, ahem, beaten path now do we?
1. This beautiful hammered bronze LED post light has the added bonus of being Dark Sky rated (click here to learn more about Dark Sky outdoor lighting.)
2. There are a lot of beautiful and functional copper landscape lights to be found, but I especially like this copper-finish bell path light.
3. This contemporary low voltage path light would look great outside a modern home.
4. The shallow shade of this modern LED pathway light allows it to blend into the landscape.
Entries
Your front entry is your chance to make a great first impression. A combination of hanging and wall lights will light your entryway beautifully and will look inviting as you approach. Put lights above or to the the side of all doors, e.g. the front door, side door, and back door -- lights positioned at all the doors help you see your way up the steps (if there are any) and allow you to identify who is at your door when looking out from the inside (light helps you get that pesky key in the lock too.)
1. This Amber Seedy Glass Outdoor Hanging Light from Rockford and its coordinating wall light provide wonderful ambient light to add warmth to your entryway.
2. I love the pared down Craftsmen-style of the Ledgewood Hanging Light and wall light.
3. The white frosted glass and stainless steel rings give the Saturn Steel Outdoor hanging and wall lights a decidedly contemporary feel.
4. This traditional Craftsmen-style lantern and wall light have seedy glass that provides a beautiful ambient glow.
Steps
Steps should be lit for safety -- I must admit I've taken a tumble (or two) when I couldn't clearly see the stairs outside at night. Outdoor step lights can be mounted on risers, treads or a wall that follows the path of the stairs. There are many attractive outdoor step lights out there. Here is a small selection:
1. This sleek LED step light will pair well with either traditional or contemporary designs.
2. The Kichler Half Moon Bronze LED light comes in either a bronze or textured white finish.
3. The light in this brushed nickel round LED step light bounces off the interior baffle to light your stairs with a subtle glow.
4. The low profile of this louvered brick step light allows it to blend in with the material of the stairs.
Landscape lighting is very important for safety reasons, but that doesn't mean it has to look utilitarian. The above examples show just how many beautiful options for landscape lights there are out there.
Image Sources: 1st Image: SFGate, 2nd Image: 232 Home Design, 3rd Image: Cottage and Vine, 4th Image: Houzz.