Outdoor lighting is important to provide safety and security and also to enhance the beauty of the property. Proper illumination of the outdoors also helps one to take advantage of the outdoor spaces after dark and adds value to the house.
 
A well lit front entrance is always welcoming. Wall lanterns on either sides of the entrance can be very attractive and can give a warm look. If there is a porch, one can use recessed, chain-hung or close-to-ceiling fixtures. In case of a separate rear or side entrance a single wall lantern can be installed. A single fixture can be installed outside the garage to provide lighting and to provide safety and security. Modern techniques allow a motion sensor or a photocell to be installed which turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn to conserve energy.
 
The side of the house that would be in shadow can be illuminated for added security. Steps, pathways and driveways should be properly illuminated to enable free movement after dark. This can be done using path lights or post lanterns. Lights can even be attached to the side of the house. Low level path lights serve the purpose beautifully by spreading circular patterns of light. The boundaries of long driveways can be defined using these lights. Shielded fixtures can be used to avoid glare.
 
Grills and serving areas can be illuminated using bright task lighting. A recessed spot light, an adjacent roof overhang, mount lights on a railing behind the grill or a portable fixture can be used to illuminate such areas. More than the flats in Kerala, the upcoming villas are increasingly using such outdoor lighting techniques.