10 Days of Curb Appeal - Day 2: Brighten Up with Better Lighting
Welcome back to Day 2 of our 10 Days of Curb Appeal series! Yesterday we kicked things off with some foundational tips, and today we're diving into something that makes a huge difference, especially here in the Salt Lake Valley where winter nights come early and summer evenings are perfect for hanging out on the porch.
We're talking about outdoor lighting.
If you've been driving around Herriman, Sandy, or West Valley City at night, you've probably noticed the homes that just pop. The ones with warm, inviting glows that make you want to walk right up and knock on the door. Then there are the ones with that single, flickering yellow bulb from 1997 that's barely hanging on.
Don't be the flickering bulb house.
The good news? Updating your outdoor lighting is one of the most affordable and impactful curb appeal upgrades you can make. Let's break down exactly how to do it right.
Why Outdoor Lighting Matters More Than You Think
Here's the thing about curb appeal: most people only think about how their home looks during the day. But your house is visible 24/7, and in the Salt Lake Valley, we get dark winter evenings starting around 5 PM for several months.
That means your home's nighttime appearance matters just as much as its daytime look.
Great outdoor lighting does three important things:
Creates a welcoming atmosphere – Warm, well-placed lights make your home feel inviting and lived-in
Improves safety and security – Well-lit walkways, driveways, and entry points deter intruders and prevent trips and falls
Highlights your home's best features – That beautiful stonework or landscaping you invested in? It disappears after dark unless you light it up
Whether you're planning to sell your home or just want to be the envy of your Riverton neighborhood, better lighting is the way to go.
Start With Your Front Door
Your front entry is the focal point of your home's exterior, so that's where your lighting upgrade should begin.
Those old brass coach lights from the 90s? They've served their time. Today's options include sleek modern fixtures, farmhouse-style lanterns, and everything in between. The key is choosing something that complements your home's architecture while providing adequate light.
Pro tip from our Salt Lake handyman team: Flank your front door with matching wall-mounted sconces. This creates symmetry and ensures your entryway is well-lit from both sides. If you have a covered porch, consider adding a statement pendant light overhead rated for outdoor or damp locations.
When selecting fixtures, pay attention to:
Size – Fixtures should be proportional to your door and porch area
Finish – Matte black, brushed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze are all popular choices that hold up well in Utah's climate
Bulb type – LED bulbs are the way to go (more on that below)
Light the Path
Nothing says "welcome home" like a beautifully lit walkway leading to your front door. Plus, it's a safety must-have for guests navigating your property after dark.
Solar path lights are incredibly popular right now, and for good reason. They're:
Easy to install (just stake them into the ground)
Cost-effective (no electrical work required)
Energy-efficient (they charge during the day and glow at night)
Perfect for Utah's sunny climate
For a more permanent solution, low-voltage landscape lighting provides brighter, more consistent illumination. This requires some basic wiring work, but a skilled handyman in Herriman or anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley can knock it out in an afternoon.
Space your path lights about 6-8 feet apart for the best effect. You want enough light to see where you're walking without turning your front yard into a runway.
Don't Forget Your Landscape Features
Here's where outdoor lighting gets really fun.
Uplighting is a technique where you place lights at ground level and aim them upward to highlight trees, shrubs, or architectural features. That gorgeous tree in your front yard? Put an uplight at its base and suddenly it becomes a stunning focal point at night.
Spotlights work similarly but provide a more focused beam. Use them to draw attention to:
Mature trees or interesting plant specimens
Stone walls or retaining walls
Columns or pillars
Garden beds with seasonal flowers
The trick is to be strategic. You don't want to light up everything, that just looks chaotic. Pick two or three features to highlight and let the rest fade into the background. This creates depth and visual interest.
If you've invested in xeriscaping or other landscaping improvements (check out our post on 2026 curb appeal upgrades for more ideas), proper lighting ensures you get to enjoy those investments around the clock.
The Layered Lighting Approach
Professional lighting designers talk about "layering" light, and it's a concept that works just as well outdoors as it does inside.
Think of it in three categories:
Ambient lighting provides overall illumination. This includes your porch lights, post lights at the end of your driveway, or overhead fixtures in covered outdoor spaces.
Task lighting serves a specific purpose. Motion-sensor lights near your garage, lights illuminating your house numbers, or bright fixtures near outdoor cooking areas all fall into this category.
Accent lighting is purely decorative. String lights on your patio, uplights on your trees, or small fixtures highlighting garden art add personality and charm.
When you combine all three layers, you get a rich, dimensional lighting scheme that looks intentional and polished, not like you just screwed in a few bulbs and called it a day.
Go LED and Save Money
If there's one piece of advice every home repair Salt Lake expert will give you, it's this: switch to LED.
LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and often last many times longer than incandescent bulbs. They've come a long way from those harsh, bluish-white lights of the early days. Today's LEDs come in warm white tones that look just as cozy as old-school bulbs.
For outdoor use, LEDs are especially smart because:
They perform well in cold temperatures (hello, Utah winters)
They turn on instantly without warming up
They're more durable and resistant to breakage
They don't attract as many bugs
Yes, LED fixtures cost a bit more upfront, but the energy savings and longevity make them a no-brainer for Salt Lake Valley homeowners looking to upgrade their home repair Salt Lake style.
Smart Lighting: Worth the Hype?
Smart outdoor lights let you control everything from your phone. Turn lights on and off remotely, set schedules, adjust brightness, and even change colors if you're feeling festive.
Are they necessary? No. Are they convenient? Absolutely.
If you travel frequently or just want the peace of mind of being able to check on your lights from anywhere, smart bulbs or smart switches are a solid investment. Many work with Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit, so they integrate seamlessly with whatever smart home system you already have.
DIY or Call a Pro?
Some lighting upgrades are easy DIY projects:
Swapping out existing fixtures for new ones (as long as the wiring is already there, but make sure you shut off power at the breaker before the swap)
Installing solar path lights
Adding plug-in string lights to your patio
Other projects benefit from professional help:
Running new electrical lines for landscape lighting
Installing hardwired low-voltage systems
Adding new outlet locations for outdoor use
Mounting fixtures in difficult-to-reach spots
If you're not comfortable working with electrical, don't risk it. Our team handles lighting upgrades all the time for homeowners in Magna, Sandy, West Valley City, and throughout the Salt Lake Valley. It's a quick job that makes a lasting impact.
Ready to Light It Up?
Outdoor lighting is one of those upgrades that pays off every single night. It makes your home safer, more welcoming, and way more attractive: whether you're pulling into the driveway after a long day or hosting friends on a summer evening.
Tomorrow we'll be back with Day 3 of our curb appeal series. In the meantime, take a walk outside tonight and evaluate your current lighting situation. What's working? What's not? Where could you use a little more glow?
If you need a hand with your lighting upgrade: or any other home repair project: reach out to Your Handyman Pros. We're your local Salt Lake handyman team, proudly serving Herriman, Riverton, Sandy, Magna, West Valley City, and the entire Salt Lake Valley.
Licensed and insured contractor Lic #12888335-5501
This is Day 2 of our 10 Days of Curb Appeal series. Missed Day 1? Check out our Pro Tips and Projects page to catch up!
