New outdoor lighting celebrates design

Lighting suppliers are embracing better weather-resistant materials and light sources to deliver customized outdoor options.

As consumers continue to view the great outdoors as living space, there are some unique considerations for lighting those areas: durability, particularly in coastal regions; customized lighting to address homeowner and environmental needs; and of course, design parameters that resonate with consumers’ style preferences.

To address the above and more, lighting suppliers have stepped up to deliver outdoor lighting that withstands the elements and is designed with elegance and versatility.

Hinkley Arlen pendant — The Arlen pendant from Hinkley features a woven all-weather rattan shade designed for al fresco spaces. The natural texture is complemented by a chic black canopy.

According to Andrew Knapp, VP of Sales for Hubbardton Forge, one of the best things about today’s outdoor lighting is that consumers have more choice. In its latest outdoor lighting release, for example, Hubbardton Forge has delivered outdoor fixtures with standard sockets that can accommodate a choice of bulbs.

WAC Lighting has also enhanced outdoor lighting versatility with its latest Colorscaping landscape lighting, which offers color-changing technology (CCT) at the touch of an app. “I believe we are on the forefront of a huge ongoing change in the industry, and tunable white, as well as full-color options, will become more common as we move ahead,” said Todd Goers, director of landscape lighting sales at WAC Lighting.

WAC Lighting brings outdoor lighting customization to the landscape with its Grand Accent Colorscaping collection, a CCT-based system that allows for a variety of light options via an app. These versatile corrosion-resistant fixtures can be controlled individually or in a group and can also be wall-mounted.

Design Versatiity

While custom light output raises the bar in outdoor lighting, suppliers are also customizing outdoor fixtures with style — from durable colored powder coatings to crystal, natural materials and innovative design. The latest materials, construction and LED light sources allow for more variety and customization of outdoor lighting designed to withstand the elements.

In 2022, Kalco introduced Esterno Cristallo under its Allegri brand, outdoor lighting fixtures that paired LED and Firenze crystal in sealed, watertight weatherproof fluorocarbon finishes. In this year’s introductions, Allegri has made the LED housings smaller, allowing for more uniquely shaped designs. Smaller LEDs and drivers, coatings and new ways to diffuse light so the crystals glow more evenly add versatility to design, Grace Dennsion, Kalco senior product designer, said.

In addition, Takayuki Ishii, vice president of design and development, added, Allegri has introduced CCT technology and RGBW color-changing technology in some of its latest outdoor lighting.

Kalco Delta outdoor lighting Phot courtesy of Kalco — Drawing inspiration from geometric patterns, Kalco Lighting’s Delta is constructed from durable aluminum and frosted glass, showcasing advanced LED technology. Finished in a warm bronze fluorocarbon coating to ensure resilience.

Both Hammerton Studio and Hubbardton Forge offer customization for outdoor lighting, having developed durable yet versatile coatings, materials and construction. Hubbardton’s unique powder-coat allows for more than 2,000 color choices, for example. Hubbardton’s outdoor lighting features limited lifetime warranties on its outdoor pieces within 10 miles of a seacoast (where the warranty is five years).

Hammerton incorporates durable features and materials in its customized outdoor lighting fixtures, as well, allowing for personalized design without sacrificing performance, Chris Giesbrecht, marketing manager for the company, said. Hammerton offers a marine-grade pre-treatment of its aluminum materials along with an AAMA-certified three-step fabrication and finish process to ensure durability in harsh climates. The company offers a lifetime warranty on its outdoor residential fixtures within 10 miles of the coast as well.

Hammerton sconce, left, and Craftmade outdoor pendant — Hammerton’s Double Box Outdoor Sconce, left, has layered glass, AC LED and Dark Sky compliance for elegance and efficiency. Craftmade’s Metalwork pendant, right, has a midnight-finished frame, clear glass and satin brass frame accents that add a touch of elegance. Also available in four wall sconce sizes and a post configuration. Damp-rated for covered outdoor use.

As outdoor lighting continues to evolve, lighting manufacturers are taking the environment into consideration, too, ensuring that outdoor fixtures blend with the surroundings and don’t disrupt natural light sources or wildlife routines, using IDA Dark Sky compliant designs and AC LED lamping.