The use of outdoor lighting can have an amazing effect on the night time appearance of any home. But when using contemporary outdoor lighting, we need to be a little careful as to where and how we use it. Don't just go for the old traditional ideas, use some imagination.
Modern outdoor light fittings - really should be in keeping with the style of your house. You would not really want chrome ultra modern fittings on a country cottage for instance. Perhaps you could use modern globe type fittings, these can look good in any style of home if used well. That being said if you think a little, you can still use modern techniques to good effect.
Contemporary lighting techniques - this is using light in a different way from the old light above the door style. Use light to frame a feature or area. Down lights on either side of the entrance can be used to create a framing effect. Spotlights used at ground level, can be directed to frame the patio area or a path for instance. Using this framing effect can be simple and adaptable, try a few different ideas to see what works best for you.
Using the framing technique creates a soft light, if you need brighter light, for example at the barbecue, use spotlights centered on the working area or a floodlight. Don't go for those industrial looking flood lights that are so powerful they hurt your eyes!
Marker lights - these are usually built into the surface, for instance along the edge of the driveway, or around the deck. Their purpose is not to light up the area, rather to highlight the boundary. There are many different styles of these marker lights to choose from, again match them to the style of your home.
Light up a feature - a good tip is to use outside spotlights or floodlights to target the light on a feature such as a tree or shrub, a pool or a garden ornament. If you don't have a feature, create one!
The best results come from placing a spotlight or small floodlight at the base of a tree, pointing upwards. This creates a stunning effect with the light hitting the branches and creating shadows and silhouettes. This can be adapted to suit other garden features, not just trees.
Another technique is to set spotlights away from the feature, pointing at it and so making it stand out in the dark.
Learn to use any or all of the above tips to create a unique look and impress the neighbours. Using contemporary outdoor lighting can create stunning results if you use a little imagination, so be creative and experiment with light.