Exterior lighting

8 years ago

I need some help/advice on exterior lighting. I've been renovating the outside of the house and want to replace the old lights. I've been considering installing can lights over the front of the garage/porch and one on each side of the bay window.

To keep things symmetrical I was thinking about coming in from the left 1 foot (over the existing light) and going 6 foot intervals from there. If I did that a light would line up perfectly with the light on the right side of the garage and would span the porch perfectly too.

Questions: Is 6 ft on center too close? If I install the can lights should I remove the existing lights? Should I also install a few lights in the soffit of the second story?

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Comment (1)

phuninthesun
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I am not a lighting pro, but here is my input. I personally don't see the purpose in can lighting outside, but it can add an interesting look. It seems more of a commercial look to me.

If I were adding cans, I would place them at the orange dots. Although, I probably wouldn't use them on the upper level. My issue is the purpose. Unless you like to sleep with lights on, you would need to take extra care and add blackout curtains inside. They just seem excessively bright.

I would still use lanterns next to the garage and door for times when you don't want it to be so bright, also they add visual interest to your home during the day as well. I would replace your wall lanterns with larger ones. With your front porch you could use two hanging lanterns as opposed to the one wall lantern near the door. Hanging lanterns add a homey touch to porches.

I would still add pathway and landscape lighting as you complete your landscape.

The exterior of your house is looking great. I just prefer the ambient light of the lanterns. Would love to see updates on which you choose.
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