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One of the consequences of the pandemic is that it forced people to reimagine their indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“When the pandemic forced us all into lockdown, it made most of us look at our homes in new ways. One building needed to function as a living space, office, classroom, playground, or entertainment complex. But now that it’s safe to go out again, will we still expect our homes to be more than just a place to eat and sleep?” asks HGTV Canada.

Maximizing Outdoor Spaces Trend to Continue Say Experts

Home design experts say that the trend toward maximizing outdoor spaces and their potential should continue for the next several years.

“After spending a few years at home, a lot of homeowners are seeking outside experiences,” Elizabeth Krueger, owner of her own design firm in Chicago, told U.S. News & World Report. “We’re not only seeing more money spent on travel but also a continued interest in renovating exterior spaces of the home. This might include the addition of a deck, patio, or porch for entertainment and relaxation purposes.”

HGTV Canada says the Home Lifestyles 2025 white paper by a global authority on consumer and design trends, WGSN, says that homeowners will put enough resources into their outdoor spaces in the next several years that “staycations” may rival vacations.

“We’ll continue to turn our outdoor spaces into our own private slices of paradise with features such as outdoor showers and entertainment areas, freestanding home offices and sheds, outdoor lighting, and waterproof speakers. We’re also looking to use these outdoor spaces throughout the year: fire pits, outdoor kitchens, balconies, and decks that we can cover, and so on,” HGTV Canada says.

Adding high-quality, professional-grade landscape lighting will be a crucial element to homeowners' return on enjoyment and usability of their outdoor spaces.

“Outdoor lighting does more than transform the look of your property; it allows you to enjoy family time and protect what's important,” says Entergy.

Outdoor Lighting Scores High on Homeowners “Joy Score”

The “great outdoors” is truly great when it comes to adding outdoor enhancements which can score big both on the “joy score” as well as act as a solid return on investment.

According to a report from the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the National Association of Realtors, other than landscape, lawn, and tree maintenance and upgrades, outdoor lighting ranks high on adding value to homes for resale and appeal to would-be buyers.

Only new patios and new wood decks ranked higher than landscape lighting, with adding outdoor lights ranking higher than adding outdoor kitchens, fire features, water features, and new pools.

While the percent of value recovered from outdoor lighting projects was estimated at 50 percent, the “joy score” from homeowners who had completed projects was 9.6 on a scale of 10.

• 51 percent did so to add features and improve livability
  
  
• Other reasons for installing outdoor lighting were:   
  o   Time for a change
  o   Upgrade worn-out surfaces, finishes, and materials
  o   Just moved in and wanted to customize it to personal tastes
  
  

• • • • • • • The most important result reported was “beauty and aesthetics”
              
              
            • 73 percent said they have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
              
              
            • 60 percent have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home
              
              
            • 59 percent felt a major sense of accomplishment when they think about the outdoor lighting
              
              
              

4 Big Benefits of Adding Outdoor Lighting to Your Home

There are many great advantages to adding outdoor lighting to your home, but four of the biggest benefits include:

• Enjoyment and Usability of Your Outdoor Space: Outdoor lighting allows you and your family to enjoy and use your outdoor space long after the sun sets. Backyard ball games, alfresco dining, and relaxing around pools, firepits, and other entertaining spaces are all enhanced by outdoor lighting.
• Enhance Your Home Security: Outdoor lighting protects your home and property by illuminating doors, windows, and other entry points. It’s no secret that thieves often target homes where they can lurk in the shadows unnoticed, and some insurance companies even offer policy discounts for increased exterior lighting.
• Elevated Your Curb Appeal: The reason that would-be home buyers find outdoor lighting appealing is that it can elevate your curb appeal. Professionally planned and installed outdoor lighting can highlight focal points and accentuate other aspects of your outdoor living space from patios to pools to landscaping to other architectural details that make your home unique. This aesthetic appeal is not just for resale and increased home value but adds to the enjoyment every time homeowners use their outdoor space.
• Keep Family, Friends, and Neighbors Safe: The proper lighting can keep family, friends, and neighbors stay when they are enjoying your outdoor spaces by illuminating stairs, pathways, pool areas, and other obstacles that could create a hazard in the dark. Outdoor lighting will keep everyone healthy while ensuring the traffic flow along walkways during parties and other get-togethers. And do not forget lighting that highlights your home address to make it easier to find by emergency services and others.

“Outdoor lighting deters burglars and creates a magical ambiance in your yard. What’s more, stylish, effective exterior lighting (think motion lights or low-voltage landscape options) can really amp up your home's curb appeal,” says the Bob Villa home improvement site.