Guide to Exterior Home Lighting Ideas, Cost, & More

Home Improvement · Solar Generator ·
Share
Guide to Exterior Home Lighting Ideas, Cost, & More
Table of Contents

Your house might look great during the day, but some attractive exterior home lighting can make it look stunning at night, too. You can choose from several exterior home lighting ideas, including lanterns, LED strips, pendant lights, step lights, and more. From highlighting your house’s entrance to enhancing the overall curb appeal, you can expect to spend an average of $2,000 to $4,000.

Multiple exterior lighting ideas are available. Having an essential home backup is a handy solution for powering these lights. The Jackery Portable Power Station can help illuminate your exterior by powering lights during an outage while enhancing its look. If you want to save more while making the exterior of your house look stunning, learn about solar-powered lighting for the exterior of your home.

Key Takeaways

  • You can choose from several exterior lighting ideas like pathway, accent, security, and LED exterior home lighting.
  • The cost of exterior home lighting depends on the type of fixtures, energy source, installation complexity, and other add-on features.
  • Solar-powered lighting offers cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and zero maintenance needs.
  • For maximum cost savings on exterior home lighting, choose solar-powered LED lights, motion sensors, dimmers, and an essential home backup.
  • Jackery Solar Generators provide uninterrupted power to keep your house exterior lit up during an outage.

Popular Home Exterior Lighting Ideas

Whether it is your front porch, the entrance, garden, swimming pool, pathway, or driveway, appropriate lighting ensures visibility and enhances the beauty of the respective space. There are many exterior home lighting ideas, from dazzling LEDs to solar-powered bulbs.

Pathway Lighting

pathway lighting

Several types of pathway lighting, such as bollard, down, garden, flush, and string lights, can help you ensure that all your house paths are well-lit. Choose bollard lights to illuminate the path and the surrounding landscape. Downlights can light up the garden path or walkway. Use flush or step lights for outdoor stairs that must be integrated into the wall.

Accent Lighting

accent lighting

Accent lighting includes decorative exterior home lighting ideas, such as spotlights, garden lights, and wall washers that can improve the overall look and character of your home. Spotlights can help you divert focus to some catchy aspects of your house, while wall washers add depth to the look of your home. If you are not on a budget, you can invest in exterior home lighting installation that has been synced with music.

Security Lighting

Security lighting is your ideal guard against house intruders. These exterior home light fixtures keep the yard illuminated to ensure no one approaches the house undetected. Solar-powered lights are cost-effective solutions that provide ample lighting without manual intervention. You can ensure uninterrupted power to these lights with the Jackery Solar Generator.

LED Exterior Home Lighting

led exterior home lighting

LED exterior home lighting can be cost-effective as LEDs consume less power than traditional fluorescent lights. There are several options to choose from in terms of brightness and style. You can use them as floodlights, solar-powered lanterns, spotlights, sconces, pathway lights, etc. Make sure you place these lights around entryways of your property, windows, and dark areas.

Cost Considerations for Exterior Home Lighting

The exterior home lighting installation costs an average of $2,000 to $5,000, including materials, labor, and installation. Certain factors, such as the type of exterior home lighting ideas, yard area, installation complexity, energy source, etc., can affect the overall price.

Types of Fixtures

You can choose from various exterior home lighting fixtures based on your budget, such as floodlights, deck lights, landscape lights, pathway lights, spotlights, etc. Pathway lights will cost you $50 to $200 each, Floodlights will be $30 to $150 each, and landscape lights can go up to $300 apiece.

Types of Fixtures

Estimated Cost (Per Piece)

Pathway Lights

$50 to $200

Floodlights

$30 to $150

Landscape Lights

$300

Installation Complexity

If the project scope is vast and you need a professional to take care of it, the exterior home lighting cost will be high. For example, a professional will charge you an average of $100 per hour. If the complexity is high, such as hardwiring and weatherproofing, the cost might rise to $150 per hour. If you DIY, you can save on labor costs.

Energy Source

Exterior home lighting can be hardwired or powered by solar energy. The upfront cost of solar lighting fixtures is high, at $50 to $300 per piece. If you go for hardwired lighting, it will cost you between $30 and $150 per piece, excluding the installation cost. Solar lighting can save you on energy bills in the long run, and hardwired lights are more reliable in changing weather conditions. The energy usage cost can be $0 to $15 per month.

Additional Features

Additional features in exterior home lighting, such as motion-sensing, smart control, dimmers, and timers, can increase the lighting cost. The cost of motion-sensing light rises by $20 to $100 per fixture, and that of smart control lighting increases by $50 to $200 per piece.

Cost Consideration Factors

Estimated Exterior Home Lighting Cost

Types of Fixtures

$30 to $300 per piece

Installation Complexity

$50 to $150 per hour

Energy Source

$30 to $300 per piece (kind of lighting)

$0 to $15 per month (energy usage cost)

Additional Features

$20 to $ 200 per piece

Note: These exterior home lighting costs are estimations. They can change depending on the types and numbers of lights, the area of the yard, the expertise of the professional, etc.

If you are low on budget, you can follow some cost-saving tips to achieve maximum utility.

  • Use LED bulbs as they consume less power compared to incandescent bulbs.
  • Go for solar-powered lights. They can significantly reduce energy costs.
  • Get an essential home backup system, such as a solar generator, that can power the hardwired exterior lighting in case of an outage.
  • Install timers, dimmers, and motion sensors for optimized power usage.

Exterior Home Lighting With Solar

The power consumption of LED lights and traditional incandescent bulbs can vary from $5 to $15 per month. This may seem small, but if you employ solar-powered lighting, you may reduce this cost to zero.

Benefits of Solar-Powered Lights

Solar-powered lights excel in terms of cost-efficiency, power consumption, carbon footprints, and other factors, making them one of the ideal exterior home lighting ideas.

Cost-Effective: Solar-powered lights will cost you upfront. After that, the next time you invest in solar-powered lights will be when you replace them. There will be no running cost, maintenance cost, installation cost, etc.

Easy Installation: Installing solar-powered lighting is super easy. There is no need to run underground wires to provide power. Set the light where you want it, and let the sun do the rest. It is the best option for remote areas.

Low Maintenance: The lifespan of a solar light is 5-10 years. With zero moving parts to break or wear out, no special maintenance is required other than occasional cleaning of its surface.

Types of Solar Lighting Solutions

types of solar lighting solutions

From pathway lights to accent lighting, several solar lighting solutions can enhance the curb appeal of your house and strengthen its security.

Solar Pathway Lights: Choose from bollard, low-voltage, garden, flush, and down solar pathway lights. They are easy to install and have a longer lifespan, decreasing the need for frequent replacement and maintenance.

Solar Wall Lights: There are several wall light options, such as sconces, wall washers, lanterns, recessed lights, and more. Install these lights near the entrance door, garage door, patio, etc., for illumination.

Solar String Lights: Solar string lights are best for pergolas, fences, trees, etc. You can choose the string light based on your preference and needs.

Jackery Solar Generators for Exterior Home Lighting

Jackery, a solar product manufacturer, provides essential home backup systems to fulfill your power needs. You will get everything under one roof, from solar generators to solar panels. The portability and noiseless nature of their products make them ideal for fulfilling all your exterior home lighting needs. Pathway lights, entrance lights, LED emergency lights, etc., are crucial in an outage to ensure the security of the property. With Jackery Solar Generator, you can keep your house exterior lit up to monitor potential intruders while enhancing the curb appeal.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has ample power for exterior home lighting. It can support most of your exterior home lighting fixtures while keeping the electricity cost nearly zero. It is a portable power station that generates only 30dB of noise and can be operated from anywhere.

Appliances Running Time

  • Mini Fridge (400W) = 2.5H
  • Outdoor Fan (300W) = 3.3H
  • Coffee Maker (700W) = 1.4H
  • LED TV (100W) = 8.8H
  • Laptop (150W) = 6.2H
jackery solar generator 1000 plus exterior home lighting

Customer Review

“This is an awesome piece of technology! It's flexible and capable. It opens up a lot of doors in terms of what you can accomplish, and it's intuitive to set up. I'm really excited to stretch its legs. Thanks for a great product.” - Chas B.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is advantageous if you have a bigger property with several exterior home lighting fixtures. It has an enormous power capacity to support most exterior lighting, including flood lights, sconces, lanterns, path lights, spotlights, etc. It ensures an uninterrupted power supply to essential appliances in case of an extended power outage. 

Appliances Running Time

  • Refrigerator (900W) = 1.9H
  • Coffee Maker (700W) = 2.4H
  • Hair Dryer (900W) = 1.9H
  • Toaster (800W) = 2.1H
  • Projector (500W) = 3.3H
jackery solar generator 2000 plus exterior home lighting

Customer Review

“It works great. No problems getting it charged and up and running. Have not installed the transfer switch yet. I would definitely recommend the Jackery systems that you have.” - Mario Contreras.

FAQs for Exterior Home Lighting

What is the most efficient exterior lighting?

Ideally, solar-powered exterior home lighting is the most efficient. It has a negligible running cost, a longer lifespan, and requires zero maintenance.

How do I use solar panels for outdoor lighting?

To effectively use solar panels for outdoor lighting, install them in an area with ample sunlight for most of the day. Keep the solar panels' surface clean and avoid shady areas.

How do solar-powered outdoor lights work?

Solar-powered outdoor lights work simply. A small solar panel converts light into electrical energy via a chemical reaction stored in a rechargeable battery. At night, the charged battery powers the solar-powered light.

Do outdoor solar lights work?

Yes, outdoor solar lights work well by converting solar energy into electrical energy. They are highly efficient and cost-effective in the long run. Solar lights do not use fossil fuels, reducing carbon footprints.

How many hours do solar outdoor lights last?

Solar lights can illuminate the exterior of your house for 4 to 12 hours. Certain factors, such as the placement of solar panels, sun time during the day, and the power consumption of the light, can affect the number of hours.

Conclusion

Exterior lighting is crucial for your home. It is not just about aesthetics and property value; lighting in the right places can ensure security by detecting intruders. With the above-mentioned exterior home lighting ideas, you can transform the exterior of your property. You can also invest in solar-powered lights to save costs. To ensure illumination during a power outage, you can consider getting yourself a Jackery Solar Generator. It can power your exterior home lighting without any electricity costs or emissions.

Disclaimer:

The runtime mentioned for appliances powered by Jackery is for reference only. Actual runtime may vary under different conditions. Please refer to real-world performance for accurate results.

.errors, .form-error { color: #d02e2e; background-color: #fff6f6; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid transparent; text-align: left; border-color: #d02e2e; } .errors ul li {list-style: none;} .errors ul { list-style: disc outside;margin-left: 20px;margin-top: 0;margin-bottom: 0; } .form-vertical .grid--small {margin-left: -10px;padding: 0;} .grid:after {content: "";display: table;clear: both;} .form-vertical .grid--small .grid__item {padding-left: 10px;} .grid__item {width: 100%;} @media only screen and (min-width: 590px) { .form-vertical .medium-up--one-half { width: 50%; } } .form-vertical .grid__item {float: left;min-height: 1px;} #comments .label{font-size: 16px;} .form-vertical label[for] {cursor: pointer;} .form-vertical label {display: block;margin-bottom: 10px;} .btn:not(.btn--no-animate, jky-header .btn):not(.btn--tertiary):not(.btn--static):hover:not([disabled]) { background-position: 91% 35%; } .btn:not(.btn--no-animate, jky-header .btn):not(.btn--tertiary):not(.btn--static) { background: #ff5000 url(https://www.jackery.jp/cdn/shop/t/492/assets/button-arrow.png) no-repeat 150% 35%; background: var(--primary-color) url(https://www.jackery.jp/cdn/shop/t/492/assets/button-arrow.png) no-repeat 150% 35%; background-size: 29px; } .form-vertical .btn:not(:last-child) { margin-bottom: 30px; } .form-vertical .btn, .form-vertical input[type=checkbox], .form-vertical input[type=radio] { display: inline-block; } button, input[type=submit] { cursor: pointer; } .btn:not(jky-header .btn), .rte .btn, .shopify-payment-button .shopify-payment-button__button--unbranded, .spr-container .spr-button, .spr-container .spr-summary-actions a { display: inline-block; margin: 0; width: auto; min-width: 90px; line-height: 1.42; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; white-space: normal; cursor: pointer; border: 1px solid transparent; -webkit-user-select: none; user-select: none; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; border-radius: 0; color: #ffffff; background: var(--primary-color); transition: padding-right 0.3s,background 0.3s,opacity 1s; } body .form-vertical .btn:not(.btn--no-animate):hover{ padding-right: 55px!important; background-position: 91% 35%; } input.error, textarea.error {background-color: #fff6f6;color: #d02e2e;border-color: #d02e2e!important;} #comments .comments__title{margin: 12px 0;} #comments input { max-width: 100%; padding: 8px 10px; border-radius: 0; } .form-vertical input, .form-vertical select, .form-vertical textarea { display: block; margin-bottom: 30px; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px 10px; border-radius: 0; border: 1px solid; border-color: #e8e8e1; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; } input.input-full, select.input-full, textarea.input-full { width: 100%; } #comments {margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;} #comments .hr--clear{display: none;} .grid__item {float: left;} @media only screen and (min-width: 590px){ .medium-up--one-quarter {width: 35%;} } .comment-author {margin-bottom: 0;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.1;} .comment-date {font-size: 13px;display: block;margin-top: 3px;line-height: 1.1;} @media only screen and (min-width: 590px){ .medium-up--three-quarters {width: 65%;} } #comments .pagination {padding-top: 40px;} #comments .pagination .pagination__list {display: flex;display: flex;justify-content: center;align-items:center;} #comments .pagination .pagination__list li {display: flex;display: flex;justify-content: center;align-items:center;width: 40px;height:40px;} #comments .pagination .pagination__list li a{display: flex;display: flex;justify-content: center;align-items:center;} #comments .article__comment {margin-bottom: 40px;line-height: 1.1;}

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recommended
blog banner