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oldbat2be

Still Need Help - Outside Lighting Choices

oldbat2be
12 years ago

I posted recently in this forum and did get very valuable feedback, but am still looking for more input.

I'm trying to select outside lights for above the garage doors and for a post lamp (farther down the driveway). Here is current moodboard. Idea is to place lamps either to the left and right of the garage doors (2 lamps) or left, middle and right areas (3 lamps).

Here is current moodboard:

I do think light number 8 would look very nice on the garage door outside walls and blend with the house. But -- won't this light simply spotlight rather overgrown bushes (not that we can't replace them with newer landscaping). However, if we go with them, what do we do for a post?

I really like number 7 but am not sure how it goes with the house style.

Last -- dimensions. Here's the space available:

From what I've read, it seems like these lights should be 1/4 the height of the space. These would be much shorter. From what I've read -- go bigger if in any doubt. Do you agree?

If anyone has ides/suggestions/feedback, they would be very much appreciated. I'm very worried about ordering lights which do not go well with the house.

Thanks,

oldbat2be

Comments (23)

  • lascatx
    12 years ago

    Do you need two fixtures at the garage? Seems like you could do just one at the center. Three seems like it might be excessive, but two seem so far apart = -- ad you're right - they aren't exactly highlighting any best features. Do you have a fixture at the front door?

    As far as style, I like 1 the best, then 7 -- 8 is not a style I would chose for your house.

  • annzgw
    12 years ago

    Out of the styles you have listed I'd go with 1 or 7 but I'd do #1 in a darker metal. #8 is too contemporary
    Use 2 lights on the garage as shown in your drawing and I suggest removing the bush. Landscapewise it doesn't need to be there.

    If you google 'double garage ext. lighting' you'll see most have lights as you've shown, or they're above the doors. My double garage has the lights on each side (and a column in the center like yours).

  • Sugar Plum
    12 years ago

    I like #1, but think it needs to be in the darker metal to contrast with your siding - is the darker finish in the same range as your garage door color? I love your house colors - the grey with white trim - it looks so fresh.

    I agree with annz that the garage area shrubs aren't doing much for your house. If you need 'something' there, could you do planters with an evergreen plus colorful annuals?

  • Sujafr
    12 years ago

    I vote for #11 and think the height of it (19.5 in) for the wall mounted one seems about right there. That ht. they list will include the tall curved hanger at the top. I also think that one looks great as a post light along the drive (the post light is likely a bit bigger). I'd put two on the garage where you've indicated and one on the right wall by the front door in the little covered area. If that's not possible then I'd put it on the right of the door on the outside wall just to the left of the bay window area in the front. Besides aesthetics, the lights are to help your guests get to and from their cars and that spacing should work based on what we have at our house (lighting both sides of a car parked there--although now that I think of it we also have soffit/eave lighting along the walk.

    I'd probably put some potted taller plants or urns with hanging plants at each side and the middle of the garage to make that area look worthy of the lighting if you're concerned about that. Lovely home in such a pretty setting!

    Now, WHY can't I decide on my own lighting??? You'll see I'm having my own lighting brain freeze in my post.

  • busybee3
    12 years ago

    i like #11 too... i think i'd want a light between the garage doors, so i would probably hang 3...


    we have 2 lights (between 3 bays) but, also a spotlight with 2 lights on it set above the garage doors... there are many times that i turn on the spots because i'm doing something and i want more light out there.

  • a2gemini
    12 years ago

    I like #10 - guess I had too many traditional lights over the years...

  • caminnc
    12 years ago

    Wow, your house could handle a lot of different styles. Do you like any of these? I love to see a pretty glow on the garage doors from down lights.




  • oldbat2be
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Thanks all; I appreciate the ideas and suggestions. I can't believe I still haven't decided. Anytime I go anywhere, I drive slowly and stare at lights on other houses... am fortunate not to have had an accident yet :)

    I like the idea of dark sky lighting / downlighting, really like #s 2, 3, 4 you posted caminnc. Could you please post mfr?

    rtwilliams, I like the one you posted as well. Very reasonable price.

  • caminnc
    12 years ago

    The second is Troy Lighting. The third is Kichler Ripley and the last is World Imports Lighting. All and a lot more great looking lighting from wayfair.

    I know how you feel, it took me 4 yrs. years to pick new outdoor lighting.

  • malhgold
    12 years ago

    Can you tell me where you found #10? Thanks!

  • lolauren
    12 years ago

    I like the last three caminny posted, too. Troy Lighting has some beautiful lights. You might want to google their other options.

    Are you adding lights because you need lighting at the garage ..... for looks.... or? If it is because of a need (which I am guessing is the case,) I would add three lights. We have three on a garage that is similar to yours. It is a nice effect and the light illuminates all of the parking spots for guests. You need to keep in mind the amount of wattage as well...

  • oldbat2be
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Caminnc -belatedly, thanks for ID'ing the lights. 4 years is depressingly long, what did you end up selecting? I have ordered one of the 2nd, Troy Old Town, and will see how it looks. I like it a lot, but do not like the post version (something about the neck of the light).

    Lolauren, thanks - I am thinking about 3 lights, 60 watts each. I will use the one we receive and photoshop it to see how it looks with 3.

    I'm even considering adding another, between the windows.

  • nini804
    11 years ago

    I think 3 lights would be best and bigger is better! I like big lanterns.

  • caminnc
    11 years ago

    oldbat2be, The Troy is my favorite one. I hope it works out for you. This is the light/s I put on my house. It was a long time coming but I really like them.

    {{!gwi}}

  • gillylily
    11 years ago

    I have these lights at my house (very similar to yours) They were decently priced too..

    we have three of them on our garage similarly to what you have on our back deck and two on either side of the front door and are very pleased with them.

  • oldbat2be
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    mahlgold, I can't definititely say but after an exhaustive search online I think it's this: Murray Feiss Mission Lodge Collection (linked).

    Thanks gillylilly. I like the shape. Very simple, and I like the downlight.

    caminnc -- Those are lovely, I'm sure you smile when you look at them.

    With respect to the post light, I am considering using 1 or 2 of the same light, but mounted on a post, perhaps at different heights.

    Thoughts?

    Here is a link that might be useful: Murray Feiss Mission Lodge Collection

  • oldbat2be
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    I meant to add - one more question for you guys. How does the 'yellow' light compare to a 'white' light. I.E., this model has amber glass.

    Do you find the yellow jarring during the day? Is it softer at night?

    As always, your input so very much appreciated. Best, oldbat2be

  • enduring
    11 years ago

    I don't think the yellow glass will look good with your house. Can you get it in a frosted white? I like many examples you have here. I personally like the less fussy ones. I also like the down cast lights probably the best. Sometimes I get blinded by lights and I can't see as I approach the house. A friend in a residential neighborhood had a Xmas party last winter and I could not see her address on the wall because of the glare from the garage lights.

    There is one house on a highway that I drive, that because of the curve in the road, the garage lights look like headlights coming at you. It has more then once almost tricked me to drive in that direction thinking it was the road. I would have driven off the road following that tact. I've been amazed at the optical illusion of this.

  • Sujafr
    11 years ago

    Be sure to keep the size of the fixture in mind. Here's a link to a guide on choosing the size that might be helpful. There are many other sources that also suggest that the light fixture should be about 25% of the height of the door they are beside (for fixtures beside the doors).

    Here is a link that might be useful: Lighting Size Guidelines

  • lolauren
    11 years ago

    Personally, I don't think the yellow is anything to worry about. I'm not sure how yellow the actual fixture looks, but I wouldn't consider it an accent color... (as in, it will probably blend in)

  • oldbat2be
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Updating to include pictures of the lights with which we went, Troy Old Town.

    Three was not too many, flanking the garage doors, and we may eventually add yet another over towards the front door.

    We added two on a 10 foot fence post, instead of using Troy's lamp post. (Need to touch up that stain!)

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