Did you know that installing outdoor lighting can increase your home value by a few thousand dollars? It's estimated that installing outdoor lighting ups your home value by 1.6%. If your home is worth $500,000, an outdoor lighting setup could drive the value up by $8,000.

But, installing outdoor lighting will only generate a good return if you do it right.

If your outdoor lighting placement is off, or the final effect looks unprofessional—you will miss out on the transformative potential outdoor lighting holds. 

Avoid this and read on to find out some of the most common outdoor lighting mistakes. 

1. Not Creating a Lighting Plan

One of the biggest outdoor lighting mistakes people make is not creating a lighting plan.

Not having a lighting plan is like undertaking home construction without building plans. By creating a lighting plan, you can map out everything beforehand. This helps you to avoid oversights and unnecessary costs. It also makes the buying and installing process a lot simpler. 

Start by deciding where you want to place your outdoor lights, which type of lights you want, what electrical infrastructure you'll need, and your outdoor lighting budget. 

2. Not Lighting Up Beautiful Exterior Elements

Another easy mistake to make when installing outdoor lighting is not highlighting the things you want to showcase. 

Although your outdoor lighting setup should offer functional lighting for your home's exterior—this isn't the only purpose. 

Through thoughtful outdoor lighting placement, you can draw attention to attractive exterior features, such as beautiful trees, borders, shrubs, water features, decorative pathways, and more. 

For instance, by placing a spotlight at the base of a structurally attractive tree, you can illuminate its shape at night. This will provide some ambient light, but it will also add dimension to your garden after dark. 

3. Not Using Outdoor Lighting to Create Depth

Speaking of dimension, you should also aim to use your outdoor lighting setup to create depth in your garden. One of the easiest ways to do this is by dispersing lighting elements around your garden. 

Make sure you place at least one or two lighting features towards the furthest end of the outdoor areas. For instance, if you have a large lawn area, with a border on the far side away from the house, make sure you illuminate a feature there. 

This will draw your eye out into the garden at night, creating the impression of space and depth.

4. Not Paying Attention to the Temperatures of Your Bulbs

One of the things most people don't think of when installing outdoor lighting is the color of the bulbs. Bulb color can have a big impact on the overall effect of your outdoor lighting setup. 

If all of your bulbs are a slightly different color, this will have an awkward, jarring effect. On the other hand, if you intentionally match the colors of the bulbs you install, this will give a seamless, well-designed feel. 

Overall, cool bulbs are not well suited for outdoor lighting, as they can give your exterior space an "industrial" or commercial feel.

Now You Know Which Common Outdoor Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you know about the most common outdoor lighting mistakes to avoid, you're all set to start approaching your outdoor lighting installation like a pro. 

Speaking of pros, another mistake homeowners often make is not hiring a professional to come install their outdoor lighting. If you are planning more than a few solar spike lamps, then you will need an outdoor lighting provider to come and make sure your installation is up to code. 

Powerhouse Home Services is a full-service lighting installation company in Southwest Florida. Contact us today to discuss your outdoor lighting needs.