Outdoor wall lighting can be a very stylish addition to your home’s exterior. While wall lights may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering outdoor lighting, a well-designed wall lighting scheme can have a major impact on the look and feel of your home’s exterior.
It can highlight the architectural features of your home, add curb appeal, and provide functional illumination for tasks such as finding your keys or unlocking your front door. It’s important to give the same thought and attention to your wall lighting as you do to other aspects of your outdoor lighting plan. In this article, we’ll share two of the most popular wall lighting techniques used in outdoor lighting today.
Where To Position Outdoor Wall Lights
The positioning of your outdoor wall lighting is crucial in creating your desired ambiance and functionality. Careful placement of wall lights can highlight specific architectural features of your home, create a sense of depth and dimension, and provide task lighting for practical purposes.
Here are a few tips for positioning your outdoor wall lighting:
- To highlight specific features of your home, such as doors, windows, or architectural details, position the lights at a 45-degree angle pointing upwards towards the feature.
- To create a sense of depth and dimension, place wall lights on both sides of a doorway or pathway. This will help to define the space and create a sense of balance.
- For task lighting, such as illuminating a front door or porch, position the lights so that they are facing downwards at a 30-degree angle. This will provide focused illumination without causing glare.
By experimenting with the positioning of your outdoor wall lighting, you can create different effects and find the perfect look for your home. There are also two wall lighting techniques that are very popular in outdoor lighting design today— wall washing and wall grazing.
Wall Washing
Wall washing is a technique used in outdoor wall lighting to evenly distribute light over a large surface area, such as a wall or facade. It is achieved by placing the light source at a distance from the wall and aiming it upwards at a steep angle. This creates a wide beam of light that washes over the surface of the wall, providing even illumination without creating hotspots or shadows. Wall washing is often used to highlight the texture or color of a wall, or to create a sense of depth and dimension. It is a popular choice for accent lighting and can be achieved with a variety of light fixtures including floodlights, up lights, or wash lights.
Wall Grazing
Wall grazing is a technique used in outdoor wall lighting to create a dramatic and focused beam of light that highlights the texture or contours of a wall or other surface. It is achieved by placing the light source close to the wall and aiming it at a shallow angle, so that the beam of light grazes across the surface of the wall. This creates a narrow, intense beam of light that emphasizes the surface details and creates a sense of depth and movement. Wall grazing is often used to highlight the texture of a rough-hewn stone wall, the contours of a sculptural element, or the lines of an architectural feature. It can be achieved with a variety of light fixtures including spotlights, downlights, or wash lights.
Need Assistance Installing Outdoor Wall Lighting?
If you are thinking about installing outdoor wall lighting, consider hiring a professional outdoor lighting company. At Landscape Lighting Designers Plus, our team of experienced professionals will work with you to design a wall lighting scheme that accentuates the best features of your home. We will ensure that your lighting is not only properly installed and maintained, but that it adds the perfect finishing touch to your outdoor space. Contact us today at 888-582-8845.