Transforming a house into a dream home is a journey filled with countless projects, big and small. Today, we’re thrilled to share the triumphant completion of a long-overdue exterior upgrade that has dramatically enhanced our home’s curb appeal and functionality: the installation of new garage lights!
After much anticipation, our garage is finally illuminated with stylish and practical lighting, a project that has lingered on our to-do list for far too long. The satisfaction of crossing off such a significant item is immense, and we can’t wait to show you the stunning results and share the journey of how we selected the perfect fixtures.
Illuminating Decisions: Selecting the Ideal Outdoor Lighting
As you may recall from my previous post, the initial phase of this project involved narrowing down our options from the extensive collection at Lamps Plus. The decision wasn’t easy, as each contender brought unique charm and features to the table. Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in both the aesthetics and safety of your home’s exterior, so thoughtful consideration of style, scale, durability, and functionality is paramount. We sought fixtures that would not only provide ample illumination but also complement our home’s architectural style and withstand the elements for years to come. Here’s a closer look at the top three options we considered:
Arrington 13-inch High Mystic Black Outdoor Wall Light
The Arrington light immediately captured our attention with its clean lines and modern yet timeless appeal. Its geometric shape and mystic black finish offered a sophisticated simplicity that we felt would integrate seamlessly with our home’s exterior. This fixture presented a versatile design that could transition effortlessly with evolving decor styles, making it a strong contender for its long-term aesthetic value and understated elegance. We envisioned it providing a subtle, welcoming glow without overpowering the architectural details of our garage.
Warburton 13-inch High Black LED Outdoor Wall Light
The Warburton light offered a distinctly different, yet equally appealing, aesthetic. Its design evoked a charming “cottage” feel, characterized by a more traditional silhouette and perhaps a slightly softer presence. We were drawn to its classic proportions and the warm, inviting atmosphere it promised to create. This option appealed to our desire for a cozy, welcoming entrance, and its LED technology was a definite plus for energy efficiency and longevity. The size and shape were also perfectly suited to the scale of our garage, ensuring it wouldn’t look too small or too overwhelming.
Fallbrook 9-inch Black Dusk-to-Dawn Motion Sensor Outdoor Light
Finally, the Fallbrook light presented a classic barn-style design, a timeless choice for many home exteriors. What particularly stood out about this fixture was its integrated dusk-to-dawn and motion sensor capabilities. This intelligent feature offered unparalleled convenience and energy savings, automatically turning on at dusk and off at dawn, and activating with movement. While its proportions were just right for our space, fitting the rustic charm we sometimes admire, the automatic functionality was a significant draw, promising both security and efficiency without any manual intervention. This practical aspect made it a strong contender, blending form with advanced features.
The Verdict: Arrington Lights Steal the Show!
After much deliberation, we proudly chose the Arrington 13-inch High Mystic Black Outdoor Wall Light. And let me tell you, it was absolutely the right decision! We are completely in love with these lights. Their elegant simplicity and contemporary flair perfectly align with our home’s aesthetic, providing a sophisticated update that feels both fresh and enduring. The mystic black finish is subtle yet striking, creating a beautiful contrast against our home’s siding and enhancing the overall visual appeal of the garage area.
Effortless Installation, Perfect Fit
Beyond their stunning appearance, the Arrington lights proved incredibly easy to assemble and install. The process was straightforward, requiring only the simple task of sliding in the glass panes – a minor step that added to their charm without adding complexity. This ease of installation is a huge bonus for any DIY enthusiast, making the entire upgrade project manageable and stress-free.
One of the most critical aspects of this installation was the precise measurement of our available space. On the side adjacent to the fence, we had a mere 8.5 inches to work with. This presented a tricky challenge, requiring meticulous planning to ensure the fixtures would fit without obstruction. However, the Arrington lights were literally the perfect size. They slipped into place with absolute precision, fitting just right and demonstrating that careful planning truly pays off. The exact dimensions of these lights made them an ideal choice for our specific spatial constraints, a testament to the importance of accurate measurements when selecting outdoor fixtures.
These lights are truly transitional pieces, designed to complement a wide range of architectural styles without being overly specific. Whether your home leans traditional, modern, farmhouse, or something in between, the Arrington lights will blend seamlessly, offering a sophisticated upgrade that stands the test of time. Their versatility ensures that they will remain a stylish feature, regardless of future decor changes or landscaping updates.
Cultivating Charm: Planting Amethyst Falls Wisteria
While I was focused on enhancing the garage, I decided to tackle another exterior project that would further elevate our home’s curb appeal: planting wisteria to train along the fence. I’ve harbored a long-standing desire for a beautiful climbing plant along this fence since its installation, and wisteria was always at the top of my list.
However, my initial research into common wisteria varieties quickly revealed a significant concern: many types, particularly the Chinese and Japanese wisterias, are notoriously invasive and can grow to massive, unmanageable sizes, potentially causing damage to structures. This discovery led me to explore alternative options that offered the same stunning floral display without the associated headaches of aggressive growth. During a visit to our local nursery, I stumbled upon the perfect solution: the Amethyst Falls Wisteria.
This particular variety is an American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), a game-changer for anyone who loves the beauty of wisteria but fears its invasive tendencies. Unlike its more common Asian counterparts, Amethyst Falls is non-invasive, meaning it won’t choke out other plants or overwhelm your garden. It’s also incredibly versatile, thriving beautifully in containers, making it an excellent choice for patios or smaller gardens where space is a premium. Additionally, it produces smaller, more delicate flowers, which, while perhaps less dramatic than the long racemes of Chinese wisteria, are still breathtakingly beautiful and appear in charming clusters throughout the growing season. I am incredibly excited to watch it establish itself and begin its climb over the arbor next year, creating a stunning cascade of purple blooms.
For those residing in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9, the Amethyst Falls Wisteria is a highly recommended choice. If you’ve always dreamed of having wisteria without the worry of it taking over your yard, this American variety is definitely one to investigate. It offers all the charm and elegance of traditional wisteria, packaged in a well-behaved, garden-friendly form. Its moderate growth habit and beautiful flowering performance make it a truly rewarding plant for any landscape.
Project Complete: A Satisfying Transformation
The feeling of finally completing these outdoor projects is absolutely incredible. Seeing the garage beautifully lit and the wisteria beginning its journey up the fence brings a profound sense of satisfaction and significantly elevates our home’s exterior appeal. These seemingly small upgrades have made a massive difference, proving that thoughtful improvements can transform your living space and bring immense joy.
Now, with these two major items checked off, it’s time to move on to the next set of exciting projects on our ever-growing list. Until next time, happy home improving!
*Lighting has been provided in partnership with Lamps Plus. I have neither been asked to create this post nor compensated to create this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that support SG Style.