Outdoor LED Lighting: Everything You Need To Know

Outdoor LED lighting is gaining popularity because of its advantages, spanning from energy efficiency to low maintenance and proper illumination.

In this guide, we will go through everything you need to know about outdoor LED lighting, including how to light up your patio, outdoor steps, flower beds, walkways, and more!

1. Introduction

Outdoor lighting is a complicated but super fun activity that can transform the feel of your home. Whether you have a patio, a garden, or even just a balcony, you need to light it up properly and create a cozy and relaxing mood.

From hanging lights to step lights, you have so many different fixtures you can use. And from brightness and color temperature to placement and bulb type, you end up with an endless number of combinations for your outdoor lights. Although it might feel chaotic at first, we are here to help you make your decision, purchase the right lights for you, and place them appropriately to fit your space.

This guide focuses on LED bulbs because they are way more energy-efficient than their counterparts, they are better at deterring bugs, they are low maintenance, they are typically more weather-resistant, they are more versatile with various color and dimming options, they are more environmentally friendly, and they have a way longer lifespan.

This is why we always suggest using LED bulbs instead of incandescent or fluorescent ones.

2. Types of outdoor LED lighting

Pathway and garden lights

For your pathway and garden, you need small lights that sit on the floor with warm color temperatures and low brightness. These lights are functional, yet they don't draw too much attention and only help you notice your steps.

Ideally, these LED lights will be battery-operated or solar-powered, so that you don't have to connect them to a power source. Things are a bit trickier if you live in an area that doesn't get too much sunlight.

The Mycena garden lamps are perfect for flower beds to add that extra drama and make the space pop. Resembling fluorescent mushrooms, they blend in perfectly with the plants around them and create a relaxing atmosphere.

If you want something more illuminating, you can go with the Globule floor lamp.

The Globule floor lamp is perfect for grass and outdoor floor spaces. It is waterproof, and it comes with a remote control and adjustable colors and brightness. You want a purple garden? You have a purple garden!

This lamp is rechargeable and comes in multiple sizes, so you can choose one depending on the area you want to illuminate.

For solar-powered garden lamps, we suggest purchasing the Masar solar lamp. Elegant and minimal, this lamp will illuminate your steps without the need for recharging or changing the batteries.

Floodlights

Floodlights provide strong and wide illumination for large areas and for security reasons. You can install them on the outer side of your home, facing toward spacious areas that need ample light.

Floodlights are usually motion-activated, which helps prevent intruders at night.

For this application, we suggest going for the "Large" variant of our motion-activated Bertram light.

This light has an IP65 waterproof rating for outdoor use and three wattage options so that you can control both the light output/brightness and energy consumption.

Spotlights

Spotlights are used to highlight specific outdoor features, such as trees, pathways, fountains, etc. With adjustable heads, outdoor spotlights allow you to focus the light precisely where it's needed, creating dramatic effects and enhancing your landscape's overall appeal. Available in energy-efficient LED options, they provide long-lasting brightness while reducing energy consumption.

For spotlights, we suggest our very popular Luxa outdoor spotlights.

This spotlight comes with an adjustable head and can be mounted on walls and other surfaces. It is waterproof and extremely durable so you can safely use it outdoors.

Step lights

Step lights are a stunning addition to outdoor stairs and almost a necessity. We say necessity because in the outdoors, there might not be enough ambient light available at night, and especially over the steps where you have to be extra careful.

We have several options available but the round black variant of the Eva step light is among our favorites!

Check out our wide selection of stair lights here and read the guide at the end of that page to figure out exactly how to place them!

Wall-mounted and outdoor sconce lights

Outdoor sconces are typically used for ambient light and for their style. In patios and over tables, they can also be used for task lighting.

Outdoor sconces are a fantastic addition to any home, offering both practical benefits and a touch of style. We personally love them for how they beautifully light up entryways and patios, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests. They’re great for safety too - illuminating walkways, doorways, and driveways, so you're never fumbling in the dark. Plus, if you’re like us and want to keep energy costs down, many outdoor sconces come in LED options that last longer and use way less electricity.

What’s really nice about outdoor sconces is the variety of styles available. Whether your home is modern, rustic, or traditional, you can easily find designs that complement your outdoor decor. Some even come with smart technology, allowing you to control them remotely or set them on a timer. That way, your outdoor space is always perfectly lit!

Check out our wide selection of outdoor sconces here!

3. How to choose the right outdoor LED lights

Consider the purpose

The two main purposes of outdoor LED lights are functional (for security and safety) and decorative (for ambient or accent lighting). Consider the area you want to illuminate and how to best achieve that.

For example, a garden/flower bed or walkway will benefit more from decorative small LEDs - rechargeable or solar-powered. On the contrary, a patio or even a balcony will benefit more from LED sconces that serve as mostly functional.

Brightness and lumens

Next, you need to understand how much light you need for different areas. Unfortunately, this is a complicated topic that depends on multiple factors, such as how you plan to use the space and the mood you want to create. Let's see an example of lumens for a patio:

• Ambient lighting: For soft, ambient lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere, aim for around 10-20 lumens per square foot (or 100-200 lumens per square meter). This is ideal for casual gatherings, dining, or relaxing outdoors.
• Task lighting: If you need focused lighting for specific activities, such as cooking in an outdoor kitchen or working on a project, you'll want brighter lighting - around 30-50 lumens per square foot (300-500 lumens per square meter).
• Security lighting: If security is your primary concern, you’ll need 700-1300 lumens per fixture to brightly illuminate entryways or dark corners of the patio for added safety.

The secret is to use a combination of different lighting levels, like dimmable options or layers of lighting, which will give you more flexibility depending on the occasion.

Color temperature

Color temperature is the property of bulbs that determines how warm (yellowish) or cool (blueish) the light is.

For most outdoor uses, low color temperatures (2700-3500 K) are ideal to set a relaxing atmosphere. Security lights can be cooler at 4000-5500 K.

As we've seen before, one of the greatest benefits of LED bulbs is their versatility. You can simply purchase LED lights with remotely adjustable color temperature and you won't have to worry about it anymore!

Fixture design and material

For outdoor use, choose weatherproof and corrosion-resistant materials. Thankfully, all of our outdoor lights are both these things! They are made to be durable and sturdy without compromising style and aesthetics.

Choose materials that go well with the rest of your outdoor architecture. For example, a contemporary design goes best with metal finishes and sharp fixtures, while a more rustic house made with stone would look best with rounded glass fixtures in earthly colors

Extra considerations

Then, you can decide whether you want hardwired or solar-powered outdoor LEDs, as well as if you want to use motion sensors, timers, and dusk-to-dawn sensors. These are the final details that will help you choose the right fixture for your space.

4. Conclusion

Outdoor LED lights are a game-changer for transforming your outdoor space into a warm, inviting haven.

Whether you’re looking to create a cozy patio for evening get-togethers, highlight your favorite garden features, or make your home more secure, LED lights offer the perfect mix of style and practicality.

They are super easy to maintain, and with so many options to customize brightness and color, you can make your outdoor area feel like an extension of your home. Plus, the energy savings are a big bonus!

With the right combination of fixtures, you’ll not only boost the beauty and safety of your space but also make it more efficient. It’s an upgrade you’ll definitely enjoy for years to come!