Outdoor Lights

5 Simple Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

by admin · Oct 7, 2022

They say not to judge books by their covers… but isn’t that what the cover is for? A book’s cover can give off a vibe that will help you decide on an impulse if that book is for you. Your house’s exterior is its cover. Based on its appearance from the street, or curb appeal, passersby (or potential buyers if you’re selling) will decide if it’s worth their time (and money) on a split-second impulse.

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or increase its value, the look and feel of the exterior of your home has a significant impact on the bottom line. The good news is, giving your house a cover anyone would want to open is simple with these tips!

Tip 1: Add and Update Lighting

Light makes a huge difference when it comes to curb appeal. Choose modern fixtures or timeless classics, but make sure you have a variety of quality lights so that no matter what time of day, your house–and the landscaping you’ve worked hard to maintain–shines.

These symmetrical sconces contrast with the white of the house perfectly and add some visual interest. You could also add matching ones by your garage for even more light.

If you don’t have room for outdoor sconces, consider a pendant light like this one. It adds a perfect lighting focal point without distracting from your picture-perfect entryway.

From top to bottom, this house will not be ignored! It draws your eyes toward it by using tons of lights. From the overhead light on the front porch to the lights under every roof overhang, you’ll see this beauty no matter where you are.

Add low-voltage outdoor lights or solar-powered lights to your driveway or walkway for a quick lighting upgrade. They’ll catch eyes, and guests won’t waste time looking for a path through your front yard.

Landscape lighting like this puts an emphasis on your garden beds, flowers, or other plants. You’ve worked hard to maintain them, so make it count–day or night.

Tip 2: Utilize Color

You can use color to create a focal point for your house. It doesn’t matter whether you use neutrals, contrasting colors, or pops of bright color; careful color selection can really create an inviting exterior.

Don’t be afraid to be bold! This aqua-colored door with a bright floral wreath immediately draws the eye and invites guests in. (Plus, check out that perfectly-placed pendant that will light up the door at night!)

When you’re looking to add bright color, flowers are a great way to go. These gorgeous window boxes add a much-needed pop of color without feeling committed to a paint color. For the DIYers – window boxes are a great little project you can throw together with your scrap wood!

Whatever color you go for, make sure your trim and siding complement each other. Update one or both, but don’t forget to give your house a good power wash!

If your garage is looking a little worn out, a fresh coat paint is a quick fix. This house’s garage matches the trim and contrasts against the white perfectly.

Tip 3: Decorate, decorate, decorate!

One of the easiest (and least expensive) ways to increase your curb appeal is by adding some decorative items. It’s a great way to make your porch feel more like an extension of your home than just a set of concrete steps.

Decoration doesn’t have to be complicated. Add a simple wreath and cute doormat with an undermat to invite people in.

A front porch with furniture makes you feel right at home. Throw some chairs and a bench up for a cozy place to sit with your guests, or to watch your kids ride their bikes around the cul-de-sac. Pro tip: Add a few outdoor pillows for a pop of color! You’ll want to spend all summer outside and boost your curb appeal. Win-win!

Have you ever been looking for a house, but you can’t seem to find it? Your house numbers are an essential for guests trying to locate your house. If yours are feeling a little lackluster – changing them out is a very simple project with a big impact! This house’s numbers and door hardware match, pulling the look together.

Shutters are a classic way to increase curb appeal. These shutters create some high-contrast visual interest by framing in the windows – and the symmetry pleasantly draws your eyes right up the path and straight to the front door.

Tip 4: Exercise Your Green Thumb

Landscaping is one of the first things you see when looking at a house. Is the lawn sickly and brown or thick and green? Are there bright flowers? Trees? You may not have a green thumb, but there are ways to make your yard and house stand out without getting (too) dirty.

Add some interest to your entryway with symmetrical pots next to your front door. Plant some easy-to-maintain flowers or greenery in them for a simple way to spruce up your front porch.

Update your garden beds with some plants and mulch. The contrast of the mulch in this house’s landscaping makes the greenery look lush and healthy. The depth of color helps the white paint on the house look bright and crisp, too. (Bonus points for the lights above the garage–we love the way they pop!)

If you’re a registered plant-killer, no need to fear! Pick low-maintenance plants that require little care – or take a look at getting some artificial outdoor plants. If you live in a place where water conservation is a concern, you can xeriscape (landscape with minimal water use) instead. Choose your plants mindfully, and your maintenance can be simple.

You could also consider planting less and adding lights to make what you do have pop (without all the hassle)!

Tip 5: Regular Maintenance

No matter what your house looks like, keeping it clean and dressed up will make a great impression. From state-of-the-art mansions to 50-year-old starter homes, regular maintenance will make any home look like a million bucks.

This house has clearly been well-cared for. The white is still white (not brown–yikes), the lawn is green and mowed, and the driveway is clear of yard waste.

If you have pavement, make sure to get out your broom or leaf blower to clear it off! If you don’t, consider adding one. It creates a place to walk so your yard stays nice and creates a line for your eyes to follow up to the house.

If you have limited time or resources, make sure to design your yard with maintenance in mind. Choose artificial plants or some that require little water. This house doesn’t have grass to mow, and the plants are low-maintenance.

Another tip to reduce maintenance is to use LED lights that don’t need to be replaced as often. Taking care of your house doesn’t have to take your entire weekend!

Curb appeal is what brings a smile to your face when you come home every day. It creates an atmosphere you’ll want to share with those you care about. Whether you’re trying to sell or just looking to impress your guests, updating your lighting, utilizing color, decorating, landscaping, and maintaining your house will make you feel at home and leave your guests with a first impression they won’t forget. Contact Watts Current or visit our showroom for more tips on boosting your home’s curb appeal!

Outdoor Lighting: 27 Easy Ways to Light Up Every Season

by admin · Apr 14, 2022

The shifting seasons signal change, and the use of your outdoor lighting also changes with the seasons! The days get longer and shorter, the weather can be wild, and our activities vary to adapt to the temperatures. In some seasons good lighting is good enough to just look good, but in other cases, it serves an important function for safety, convenience, or task performance.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of ideas that will help you stay on top and on-trend this year. While many of these ideas work best in a certain season, all of them can be used year-round. Creativity is key, so you have our full permission to let your imagination run wild!

Spring

1. Green and Gold

Golden lights look stunning against greenery. It’s a quick way to make your outdoor decor pop, and one of our favorite looks for spring. String lights are one of the easiest ways to spiff up your bushes or topiary, but feel free to experiment with lanterns or even LED lights.

2. Spotlight Your Statues

Flowers may not be blooming yet, but that doesn’t mean your yard can’t be eye-popping! Lanterns and spotlights can highlight your unique yards décor, such as water features or statues. This way, the yard still has decorative focal points while any greenery develops.

3. Down Below

If you prefer a low-profile look for your lights, in-ground lights are a great option to consider! Embedded in your pathways or curbing, these lights are especially appropriate if you’re concerned about children or pets crashing into a typical post light.

4. Garden Path

It’s a classic look for a reason. Use posts, in-ground lights, shepherd’s hook lanterns, or anything else you can think of to light your beautiful walkway. As an extra bonus, it enhances safety in addition to the atmosphere! Just wait until sundown and enjoy it.

5. Hanging Out

It’s standard to hang grouped indoor lights at varying heights, and the design principle works just as well with outdoor lighting. One way to achieve good light layering outdoors is to use trees. Try hanging lanterns or pendants from the branches, having several usually works best.

Summer

6. Solar Pegs

Do you love those long summer days? Make good use of the stretching daylight by converting that sunlight into brighter nights! Solar lighting is a no-brainer for varied outdoor uses since it’s eco-friendly, incredibly versatile, and easy to install.

7. Bar and Grill

Taking dinner outside? Post bright lights around your prep area. It’ll serve a dual purpose: plentiful lighting for your cooking tasks, and distracting lighting to draw bugs away from your food and drinks while you’re dining.

8. Summer Nights

Colorful lights get the excitement going at any party. Achieve a festive look with string lights, an LED spotlight, or another event-specific lighting. For maximum spread, shine them on a white wall or across your pool.

9. Walk, Not Run

Pool lighting is primarily a matter of safety, but it can be fun too! LEDs and white light are great for providing bright, natural-looking light. Plus, they’re the most energy-efficient type of lighting, so you’ll rarely have to change a bulb.

10. Patio Fans

On those gorgeous, warm afternoons, treat yourself to a cool breeze from an outdoor fan. They’re treated for weather, dampness, and other outdoor conditions, so kick back and keep things classy with a nice patio fan.

11. Water Features

Subtle lighting on your water features will add to their natural beauty and make your backyard feel even more luxurious. For extra effect, place your fixture in a bed of rocks or plants to emphasize that sparkling water.

12. Beam-ing

If you have outdoor beams or a pergola, lights at a mid or high level will make them more inviting. Add that to some comfortable seating, and you’ve got the makings of a social hotspot.

Autumn

13. String Together

These are quickly becoming a staple for any outdoor space. String lights can take any shape, and they create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere. The real question is, bulbs or fairy lights?

14. Warm Light

The color of light affects us psychologically, and warm light is known to help the brain relax. It’s a good pick for autumn, with the dwindling excitement of summer and cozy vibes of the season. Spread some warm light on those chilly evenings and settle into these beautiful, cooler months.

15. Glowing Lanterns

Autumn decor is all about the rustic look. For some seasonal vibes, place mobile lanterns near furniture and walkways. Pumpkins are optional, but encouraged!

16. Smart Lighting

When the sunset becomes unpredictable, smart lighting ensures that you’re prepared for any activity at any time. Set automatic schedules for a boost in home security or adjust the lights manually from your device.

Winter

17. Holiday Cheer

Keep it simple or go all out—it’s your choice! There are plenty of creative options to suit any type of dwelling, landscaping, and style. Use string lights to outline structures, or add a few personal touches with illuminated character decor. You can’t go wrong!

18. Archway

Archways are a classy space for some creative fun. Add some pizzazz to the most barren season by lighting up an at-home archway. Color the lights for a specific holiday, or keep some warm, white lights shining all winter long.

19. Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Why be satisfied with lighting that just looks good? Multifunctional items are the way to go, with specially designed lamps that provide both heat and light. Better yet? They use electrical current to warm you up, so there’s no gas or fire.

20. One Step at a Time

Keep stairs well-lit and you’ll be glad you did! Especially when the ice hits… We recommend individual lights for each step, as they give much better coverage than one generic overhead fixture. They also add some visual intrigue to the side or under steps.

21. Outdoor Chandelier

One fixture can transform “simple” into “simply amazing”. Standalone chandeliers catch attention like no other, so if you want an easy way to elevate, this is for you. Modern and classical designs both work well, even in a natural outdoor setting.

Year-Round Strategies

22. Make an Entrance

Curb-appeal is what you make it. Attractive entrance lighting lends a “welcome home” feeling to your space. In fact, the light that shines from the top downwards adds emphasis, so you could even consider adding exterior lights to upper floors and trims.

23. Driveway

Guiding posts for your driveway will not only add visual appeal but can help drivers pull in straight every time. They’re great for everyone, but especially any new drivers in the family!

24. Properly Addressed

Courtesy is in the little things. Help others find you by spotlighting or backlighting your address numbers. Simply connect lights to a switch or use smart lighting to save energy when it’s not in use.

25. Motion Sensing

Whether it’s raccoons or robbers, you should know when you have uninvited guests. Update your home security system or start one with motion-activated lights. These lights will help your cameras catch valuable footage, even if it’s only of the neighbor’s cat.

26. Up and Away

For those that love to make the outdoors their centerpiece, consider recessed ceiling lights on your porch or patio. It’s a subtle way to light the space without taking away from nature’s beauty.

27. Upscale for Cheap

Putting LEDs in furniture, fences, or privacy features will add some extra style to the functional pieces in your yard. Add them to bland focal pieces and enjoy the extra atmosphere!

Come rain or shine, you can have outdoor lighting that improves your quality of life and looks stylish. Whether you opt for automated lighting, string lights, or traditional fixtures, we hope this has inspired you to light up your piece of the world. When you have lighting needs, whether design or electrical related, consider Watts Current—your friends who get it done.

6 Simple Ways to Turn Your Backyard into an Inspiring Oasis

by admin · Mar 3, 2022

Whether your backyard is large or small, verdant or concrete, you want to make the most of your outdoor space by making it a beautiful and comfortable place where you want to spend your time. No matter what you have to work with, we’ve put together 6 suggestions that will help you make your backyard feel like a true oasis from the world.

1. Create cozy spaces

Make your outdoor space feel comfortable and inviting by adding soft elements to your space. Cushions and pillows made with durable outdoor fabric will add a pop of your favorite color to your space while also making it feel more relaxed and cozy. Boost the coziness factor even further with some candles or install some dimmable bulbs on your home so you can adjust the light level to get the perfect ambiance every time.

2. Protect your seating

Keep your outdoor space comfortable no matter the time of day or season by adding flexible shade and shelter. Look for a roller shade in a color you love, hang some outdoor curtains, or go for something like these umbrellas that can be raised or lowered and will keep you safe from the sun or rain. If you live somewhere where the winters get chilly, look for shade options that can also act as wind protection, like a trellis, awning, or an evergreen tree or shrub.

3. Hang some string lights

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There’s a reason this inexpensive upgrade never goes out of style. A few well-placed strands of string lights will add a soft, dreamy light to your outdoor space and create the perfect ambiance for your late night summer BBQs.

This can be done by DIYers of any level! To get started, draw out your space and where you want your lights to be. If you want, you can add poles in the ground or attach them to your deck or fence to make extra places to hang lights, but this isn’t necessary! Measure how many feet you’ll need (add extra length if you want them to drape), and find a style you like. Don’t forget to buy zip ties or exterior hooks to hang them on! When you’re ready to hang them up, make sure you start on the end with the plug so that you get the right distance to your power source. This project is so simple that it’ll only take an afternoon to install them start to finish, then you can enjoy them all year!

4. Add a living feature wall

Create a visually stunning backyard space by planting a vertical garden feature wall! Look for hanging planters that attach to your fence, or secure small flower pots to a trellis. If you have a blank wall on your house that you want to transform, look for planters that can be installed safely right onto the exterior of your home! Plant some pretty annuals to get a pop of your favorite color, or stick to all green to make a statement. You could even mix in some container-friendly garden plants like strawberries or peas!

5. Upgrade your covered patio

This backyard glow up idea might require you to swap out your shovel for a screwdriver, but there’s no denying the way it transforms your space! Is that tiny little sconce by your front door leaving you in the shadows once the sun goes down? Are you constantly swatting at mosquitoes and gnats? Talk to an outdoor lighting specialist and ask them how to add an outdoor ceiling fan to your covered patio. You’ll be amazed at the way better lighting and airflow can transform your patio into a whole new living space! Outdoor ceiling fans are surprisingly affordable, and they’ll light your space while keeping the bugs and the heat away!

6. Simplify

If gardening isn’t really your thing, making your yard low maintenance is the key to being able to spend more time enjoying your space. Large open flower beds look beautiful, but they need hours of weeding each week to keep them looking pristine. Try filling in the gaps with gravel or pavers. If you still want more greenery, add potted plants. They’ll add life to your yard without all the extra weeding! When you’re finished, sit back and enjoy the cozy and beautiful oasis you’ve created in your own back yard.

In an age when so much of our world is online, it’s more important than ever to get outside and disconnect as often as you can! Bookmark this list of ideas, then turn your computer off, set your phone down, and go outside! Take a look at your outdoor space and see what you can do to make it a true oasis. Go ahead, get started! You’re gonna love how it turns out.

Let the experts at Watts Current help get you going! If you have any questions about how to get the light just right in your outdoor space, give us a call!

Homeowner’s Guide to Backyard Lighting

by admin · Feb 7, 2022

Whether it’s a quiet family dinner or a formal party, the backyard can be a perfect hosting space. Kids have room to run around, hosts can invite more people, and no one has to vacuum at the end of the night. But when the sun starts to set – you’ll want to have thought ahead about how you can keep the party going without having to move inside.

Before you get started, take a minute to think about how what purpose your lights need to serve. Your outdoor lighting should be intentional and useful, not just a hodge-podge of tiki torches and solar-powered spikes. Balance is important – the right lighting will make your yard cozy and inviting. Not enough light and you’ll be tripping in the dark, too much light and it can create disorienting shadows, or lead to complaints from neighbors.

To help you get it just right, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you put together your next backyard BBQ.

Stair and Floor Lights

The deck or patio area is central for meals or small-group gatherings. One popular approach to deck lighting is using stair lights. Not only are they elegant, but they also provide an important safety feature. They light the space gently without being distracting, and they make steps easy to see in the dark.

You can also install smaller lights on the floor of your deck. These lights can help brighten up corners and can also make your space safe when it’s dark outside.

Recessed Patio Lights

On covered decks and patios, recessed lights are a great option. They’re installed up inside the ceiling, so they’ll be well-protected from the elements. From a design standpoint – they’re the perfect choice to provide your patio with even all-over light that doesn’t get in the way of the view of your backyard. Make sure you double-check before you buy, not all recessed lights are rated for outdoor use.

String Lights

String lights are wildly popular – and for good reason. They are fast and easy to put up, and their effect is magical no matter where you put them! You can attach them to the exterior of your house, a deck railing, or anything tall enough to set them up overhead.

If you don’t have a patio or deck area, they can be strung on posts around a firepit, along a fence, or even in the trees and bushes surrounding your entertaining space.

Landscaping Lighting

You can use landscape lighting to show off the best features of your yard, even after the sun has gone down. Just like stair lighting, landscape lights are multi-functional as a design element and a safety feature. Many people opt for solar-powered lights to brighten walkways and highlight design features, but you can also hire an electrician to hardwire these lighting elements to a light switch you can flip on and off from the comfort of your patio.

There are countless shapes and sizes of landscape light fixtures to choose from. You may want to consult with an expert to recommend what will work for your yard space. However, there are a few general principles to keep in mind:

Don’t overdo it. Landscape lighting isn’t meant to mimic daytime, it should create just enough light to make the yard inviting at night.
Consider safety. Lighting pathways is a must if you’re using your backyard after dark – but make sure you do it safely. Keep lights out of the way of where you’re walking so that they don’t become trip hazards. Motion-sensor lights near doors and on sheds are also an important safety feature that can deter theft.
Choose your colors. White / daylight light will show colors just as they are during the day, but they can be pretty harsh. Yellow / warm / soft white light will give your yard a more cosy and relaxing feel, and it attracts fewer bugs.
Timers are your friend. If you’re planning a one-time party it’s not a big deal to flip the switch on and off, but if you’ll be in your backyard daily, consider putting your outdoor lights on a timer so that you won’t have to remember to flip them off before bed.
Look into LED. These bulbs may cost more upfront, but they’ll last much longer and use far less energy.

Your Backyard Plan

Watts Current’s showroom offers a great selection of outdoor lighting options, and our lighting experts would love to help you plan your backyard entertaining space and find exactly what you need. Stop by our showroom and see it for yourself, or check us out online and we’ll help you get started.