How to Install Outdoor Lighting on House

What should you light first?

Walk around your house at dusk and note which features stand out or feel dark and unwelcoming, like the front entry, a roofline that catches the eye from the street, or architectural details like columns or stonework. This becomes the basis for your lighting plan.

Most homeowners start with the roofline since it defines the overall silhouette of the house at night, then add accent lighting for entryways, columns, or landscaping afterward.

If you're planning a full exterior lighting project, consider landscape lighting for ground-level features alongside roofline lighting for the most complete look.

Permanent track lighting versus traditional fixtures

Permanent LED track lighting mounts under the fascia and runs year-round, controlled through an app for warm white daily use and colors for special occasions. It's the lowest-maintenance option once installed.

Traditional fixtures, like uplights or wall sconces, are a good fit for specific architectural accents but don't offer the same flexibility as a full roofline system with app control.

If you mainly want lighting for the holidays without a permanent installation, holiday lighting service is worth considering instead, since it avoids the up-front cost of a permanent system.

How do you mount lighting to the fascia or soffit?

Clean the mounting surface first, then attach clips or brackets at consistent spacing along the run, keeping the height and angle uniform so light output looks even once it's dark. Corners need dedicated connector pieces rather than forced bends.

Check that mounting points avoid gutter hangers and downspout brackets, so future gutter maintenance doesn't disturb the lighting system.

For homes with dormers, bay windows, or other irregular rooflines, plan the layout section by section rather than assuming one continuous straight run.

How should wiring be routed and protected?

Route wiring to stay hidden behind gutters, trim, or downspouts wherever possible, avoiding any exposed cable visible from the street or yard. Use weatherproof connectors at every joint rather than tape or exposed splices.

Plan your total fixture load against your transformer or controller's capacity before finalizing wiring runs, since overloading a single run can cause dimming at the far end.

For larger homes, more than one controller or transformer may be needed to cover the full roofline without overloading any single circuit.

• Hide wiring behind trim, gutters, or downspouts
• Use weatherproof connectors at every joint
• Balance fixture load across multiple runs if needed
• Mount controllers or transformers in protected, accessible locations

Where should the controller or transformer go?

It needs access to a standard outlet and should sit somewhere protected from direct rain and sun, like under an eave or inside a garage, while still staying accessible for future troubleshooting. A poorly placed controller is one of the most preventable causes of system issues down the line.

If you're adding both roofline lighting and landscape lighting to the same project, you may need separate transformers for each, which is worth planning during your initial site walk.

Label or note where each controller is located and what it powers, especially if you have multiple systems for different areas of the property.

How do you finish app setup and testing?

Once everything is mounted and wired, connect the controller to your Wi-Fi through the manufacturer's app, name zones by location, and save a few default scenes like warm white and a couple of color options for special occasions.

Test the full system after dark before considering the project finished, checking for dim spots, gaps at corners, or sections that didn't connect properly.

Set up dusk-to-dawn scheduling if you'd like the lights to turn on automatically, so you're not manually toggling the app every evening.

Should you hire a professional or do it yourself?

DIY installation works for smaller projects or simpler systems like a Govee track kit, especially if you're comfortable with basic electrical work and detail-oriented about weatherproofing and corner transitions.

Professional installation is worth it for larger homes, complex rooflines, or if you want the cleanest possible finish without spending your own weekend on it. We handle measuring, mounting, wiring, and app setup as part of one visit.

The Ohio State University Extension points to good outdoor lighting design as a factor in curb appeal and home value, which is worth keeping in mind whether you go the DIY or professional route.

Frequently asked questions