One of the things I wanted to accomplish after getting my front yard landscaped was adding landscape lights. And wow, have these changed over the years. You can still put in those landscape lights that have buried lines and plug them into an electrical outlet, but solar lights have also improved over the years. I remember a few years ago I tried solar lights and they were not very bright. I recently installed some new solar lights from Lowes that also have a rechargeable battery inside and I was so pleased with the light they put out.
These are the Portfolio brand from Lowes and the lanterns can hang on the hook or go on those stakes in the ground. I love that they are LED Solar lights and 12 times brighter than most solar lights.
These were $50 for a 2-pack (Edited to correct cost). Yes, more expensive than the cheapie solar lights, but so much better. I’m hoping these last a long time. I’m not sure why they have a battery, but maybe it is to boost the brightness. Not sure about that part. And you don’t have to plug these into an electrical outlet and bury the wires, like the traditional lighting.
It helps that they are pretty too, with their hanging lantern shape. I think they are a perfect complement to my house and new landscaping!
I love how they hang on these cute curved hooks and accent the front of my house. I added 8 total across the front of my house.
Another look at them in the day time.
I went outside at dusk to try to capture how pretty they are at night.
This is right at dusk when the sky turns blue and you can tell in this pic how bright they are. I was really impressed with these solar lights since the ones I’ve used before were not nearly this bright.
Glow at night.
Left side with 4 installed.
And 4 on the right side of my front porch.
Just for fun, I had to share an update of the front yard. I’ve got some weeds coming through the pinestraw that I’ll have to deal with but it’s still looking pretty out here and those plants are growing like crazy.
The hydrangeas keep on blooming.
And the dwarf crepe myrtles in the center are blooming up a storm too. I just love driving up to my house now.
I took these shots in the morning and it was so pretty out there. I so enjoy looking at my front yard now with all this beauty to greet me every morning. I’ll have to add pinestraw to these beds again before too long to keep it looking fresh.
I love the new lantern lights from Lowes and that’s my outdoor project with them this month. If you are in the market for LED Solar lights, I’d definitely recommend these.Â
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I agree with you – solar lights have really improved. I love them and I would have them everywhere. Unfortunately we have some huge trees in our yard and so dense shade. It would be okay in the winter but in the summer there isn’t any way solar will work. I can’t believe how your yard is really filling out. It looks so nice. Makes you smile doesn’t it??
Ironically I’ve been trying to get to Lowe’s to see what they have to offer for solar lights. Can you tell me how much those particular lights cost and are they sold separately or in a 2 pack?
Also I know how pleased (as you should be) with how the front of your house looks now but I’m sure your neighbors must be super pleased with how you’ve transformed an ugly duckling into a swan. Do they share this with you?
Edited to correct price! Hi, Nancy, those are sold in a 2 pack for $50. I didn’t see them separately. I just added the cost into my post. Yes, I got quite a few comments from neighbors walking by right after the landscaping when in. I know lots of folks took notice, especially because my house is right across from one of the major streets that go back into the subdivision, so people have to drive by my house. It certainly has improved!
Your yard is just lovely. Those hydrangeas as gorgeous!
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Have you written about your landscaping plan? If not, please do. I need ideas for our new farm house. Love the crepe myrtles and hydrangeas!
HI, Chris, yes I had help from Southern Living Plant collection for my front yard landscape plan and here’s the post:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/landscaping-with-southern-living-plant-collection/
I really like those little lanterns, Rhoda – smart! And they have batteries to store the power collected from the sun for you. Don’t know how long they will last though – does the box say anything about battery life?
Girl you had better get on that yard before it gets out of hand! LOL
The landscaping looks just lovely. I am amazed at these solar lights. They are so much brighter than the old ones.
Wow, I had no idea the solar lights are so much brighter now. I have been really disappointed with earlier ones. By the way, the solar energy is stored in the batteries. That was always a problem with earlier ones, too- the batteries weren’t long lasting. I wonder how these compare.
We’ve had solar lights in the past but none as pretty as yours! I’ll be checking them out during my next trip to Lowes. Thanks for sharing. Your house is lovely!
I agree with you – solar lights have really improved. It looks so nice. Makes you smile doesn’t it??
Thanks for sharing
Rhoda, my very first thought was “Wow! look at that curb appeal.” Your home looks so pretty and charming. I’m so happy for you knowing how much work went into making this house your home.
Landscape lighting is on my wish list! And I do want to go with solar lights like you have. So charming.
Just a FYI…for brighter solar lights, look for the LUMEN rating. Most of the less expensive ones are 1 to 3 lumens…the brighter ones start at 6 lumens and up. But most cost more, accordingly. You can get SUPER bright solar lights at 20+ lumens. So, shop around to get the brightest that you want / need, or fit your budget. My engineer neighbor clued me in on how to choose the brighter lights. I just thought that different brands charged different prices…but seems cost IS based on brightness. Makes sense! Maybe people know this, but it was news to me, thought I would share! 🙂 Love your yard!!!!
Rosie, that is news to me too, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tip on the solar lights. I’ll be checking Lowes. How do you keep deer from eating your Hydrangeas ?
I’m in a neighborhood and so far we don’t have a lot of deer around here.