Lighting Your Entryway for Safety
by Jessica Ackerman on Jun 8, 2010
Having appropriate lighting for the entryway is important for any home. Strategically placed and adequately bright, entryway lighting can deter burglars from breaking and provide you and your family with a sense of security. When you have guests visiting in the evening, entryway lighting can direct them safely to the right house.
Where to place lighting
Lighting fixtures that illuminate the front porch, including the front steps, house numbers, and keyhole, are the first areas you should consider. Illuminating these places will help you enter your home quickly without having to fumble around in the dark. Mount one or two light sconces by the door that will cast light onto the area and bring out the textural and architectural details in the surrounding wall. A wide-shaded sconce that protrudes from the wall will direct light downward, over the front steps. Craftsman-style lanterns and traditional colonial-style lights are popular styles for porch lighting.
Post and rail lights, as well as path lights, brighten the walkway leading to the porch. They are very helpful for providing a safe path to your home from the curb. Guests will feel welcome and secure when they are making their way to and from your home at night. Also, consider lighting for stairs along the walkway or up to the porch. They can be recessed into each step, or installed on the wall or posts and directed downwards onto the steps.
Lighting fixtures should also be placed at other entries to your home, like the back door, sliding doors, and the garage. If you have a large outdoor space, you may want to think about installing motion-sensor floodlights, which will increase security by providing enough light to deter a burglar. When selecting your entryway and outdoor lights, avoid creating excessive glare from unshielded light sources, which can cause irritation for neighbors and add to light pollution.
Some lighting safety features
Motion sensor lights: A motion activation system detects movement within a fixed distance from a sensor, and will automatically switch a light on. It is useful for anyone trying to make their way to your front door.
Automatic lighting: When the sun begins to set, lights that are fixed with timers or photocells automatically switch on. It is a convenient feature to have since you will have one less thing to remember to do each day. Lighting that is activated by a photocell will switch off only at dawn, so you may want to consider using an energy saving compact fluorescent light bulb.
Remote controlled lighting: Another convenient feature to enjoy, remote controlled lighting can allow you to adjust the intensity of your entryway lights from indoors. Adjusting the lights lets you determine the ambiance and mood you want to create around the exterior of your home.
Lighting for indoor entryways
When your guests enter your home, you want them to feel just as welcome and oriented as they were walking up to your front door. The lighting for your indoor entryway should, therefore, be soft and pleasing, while bright enough so they can see the layout of your home. A few accent lighting sources should do the trick.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
85279 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
69081 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
67295 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
46274 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
28283 Views
Latest Articles
Grooved Composite Decking: Benefits and Best Practices
Composite decking has become increasingly popular over the last decade thanks to its durability, low-maintenance, and natural wood-like appearance....
on Nov 23, 2023
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
on Aug 25, 2023
Benefits of Aluminum Windows for Homeowners
Aluminum windows have emerged as a popular choice among Australian homeowners, offering a compelling combination of energy efficiency and modern...
on Aug 10, 2023
Investment Tactics for Premium Condominiums
Singapore continues to be a magnet for property investments, with its robust economy, political stability, and appealing real estate market acting...
on Aug 3, 2023
10 Essential Questions to Ask During a Sunroom and Lanai Consultation
When considering the addition of a sunroom or lanai to your home, a consultation with a professional lanai contractor is crucial. This initial...
on Jul 24, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Grooved Composite Decking: Benefits and Best Practices
on Nov 23, 2023
Garden / Landscaping / Patio
Composite decking has become increasingly popular over the last decade thanks to its durability, low-maintenance, and natural wood-like appearance....
Innovative Materials in Modern Rainscreen Systems
on Aug 25, 2023
Windows / Siding

In today's world of architectural advancements, the materials we use to protect and adorn our structures have evolved dramatically. Within this...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 262
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 196
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
How to Quickly Fix 4 Home Emergencies
Regardless of size and severity, home emergencies can be frightening and overwhelming. In the heat of the moment, it can be stressful trying to...
10 Splendid Ways to Make Your Home Look Irresistibly Inviting
Nothing is more pleasing than having your home looking luxuriously dapper and cosy. However, you do not need a large budget to get your home...
Taking Care of Brussel Sprouts
Growing Brussels sprouts will be much easier if you take care of the plants properly. With proper tending and maintenance, the sprouts will grow...
6 Simple DIY Tips to Make Your Furniture Last Longer
We use different kinds of furniture pieces in our homes, such that today they have become the most integral house interiors features. So, it is...
Lacquered Finish vs Oil Finish: What is Best?
New wood floors require a type of finish. The finish is as important as the look of your floor since the finish helps preserve the look of the...