When summer begins to wind down, many people scramble to spend more evenings outside before the weather turns too cold. Updating your exterior lighting will help make those summer nights last even longer. Unfortunately, many outdoor lighting options can make it harder to see after sunset due to glare and poor placement. Read on to discover how to light up the front of your house right using six common outdoor lighting features.

Path lights

A welcoming front yard begins with a stylish pathway that draws you in. The lower to the ground you can keep path lights, the less they will give off glare. Many path lights are designed to look good but not to effectively light up a path.

A great way to keep path lights low to the ground is to add LED strip lights. The designers of this property concealed LED strip lights into the edge of the wooden boardwalk, helping to guide guests safely at night from the main house to the pool house.
For a more traditional look, path lights with domes hide bulbs from view and direct light downward. This will reduce glare and put light where your feet need them most, right on the path.

Step lights

Some step lights shine light indiscriminately in all directions, including into your eyes. This makes it harder to see the steps and therefore more dangerous. These shielded newel-post deck lights do a much better job at directing light down onto the stairs and not into your eyes
For even better illumination, linear LED strip lights under stair treads push light down onto the steps and keep the focus in the right place.

Lanterns

When choosing lanterns, avoid clear glass and visible candle-shaped bulbs to help reduce glare. Go for frosted shades and aim the fixtures downward so extra light hits the floor. Also consider adding dimmers or use low-wattage bulbs to set a welcoming mood.
Pendants

Just like lanterns, pendants above the door should either avoid bare bulbs completely or use low-wattage bulbs and dimmers. Never rely on lanterns and pendants for your main usable light, as they may constrict your eye’s iris and make it even harder to see in the dark.

Use translucent glass in fixtures, such as milk glass or amber mica. A highly shielded fixture will also work, especially if it directs light downward.

Spotlights

Many spotlights and security lights make it harder to see because the light they emit is often aimed directly into your eyes, which might be good for catching burglars but not for anyone else. Instead, try directing spotlights at your home’s features, like brickwork, moulding and eaves. This will provide light that helps us feel secure without making our guests feel unwelcome..

Downlights

Standard interior downlights are generally not a good choice for outdoors, as their wide light distribution equals increased glare. Instead, use deeply recessed downlights with the bulb or light source concealed in the ceiling. Adding dimmers will allow you to sufficiently light the porch.