Dark Sky
A Look At Ecofriendly Lighting In Honor of International Dark Sky Week
The effects of air, land, and water pollution are well known, but the fallout from light pollution garners significantly less attention. And it’s not simply that ever-increasing light pollution impairs our ability to see the star-studded night sky. There are other real and measurable consequences for humans, wildlife, and the environment. For humans, light pollution alters our circadian rhythms and melatonin production, which can lead to various health concerns. In the animal kingdom, the night light disrupts vital eating, nesting, and migratory patterns, creating harmful ripple effects, impacting both climate and the environment.
“We are proud to produce exterior lighting solutions that are not only safe for the environment but also safe for the wildlife that inhabits our planet,” says Corbin Philhower, Director of Design Development for Visual Comfort & Co. With more than a dozen thoughtfully designed Dark Sky friendly fixtures across a variety of styles (barn lights, sconces, outdoor cylinders) as well as aesthetics, this versatile collection works especially well along the coast but in a range of other locales, too, including many western states. “When designing these pieces, we truly tried to think about the end user and how [these fixtures] will fulfill their needs,” Philhower says. “This includes style and context as well as application.”
Each elegant outdoor light fixture is designed with a shield that directs light downward, fulfilling one of the key tenets of dark sky-friendly lighting. When you’re making exterior lighting decisions, though, dark sky experts offer a few additional tips:
- Be judicious with your lighting and only illuminate areas that truly need it.
- Swap out conventional bulbs for more energy efficient LED options.
- Make your lights only as bright as you need them to be—no more.
- Mount smart. Exterior lights should be hung no more than eight feet from the floor, and should not be used above the first habitable floor of a home, especially in beachside homes.
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Peak Outdoor Wall
Sean Lavin
700WSPEAKRetail $170.00 Sale $159.38700WSPEAK
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Barn Light Extra Large One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8837401$349.988837401
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Redding Station Large Lantern
Generation Lighting
OL9004Retail $351.40 Sale $298.69OL9004
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Redding Station Medium Lantern
Generation Lighting
OL8601Retail $257.11 Sale $218.54OL8601
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Barn Light Medium One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8637401$259.988637401
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Outdoor Cylinders Large One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8313901$174.988313901
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Barn Light Large One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8737401$284.988737401
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Pohl Small One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8531701$129.988531701
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Wilburn Medium One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8690901Retail $197.98 Sale $168.288690901
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Crittenden Medium One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8538501Retail $94.48 Sale $80.318538501
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Outdoor Cylinders Small One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8313801$154.988313801
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Crittenden Small One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8438501Retail $76.48 Sale $65.018438501
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Fredricksburg One Light Outdoor Pendant
Generation Lighting
6247701Retail $193.48 Sale $164.466247701
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Barn Light One Light Outdoor Flush Mount
Sean Lavin
7836701Retail $149.98 Sale $56.247836701
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Barn Light Small One Light Outdoor Turtle Friendly Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8537401$194.988537401
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One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8304701Retail $125.98 Sale $107.088304701
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Pohl Medium One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Sean Lavin
8731701$154.988731701
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Crittenden Large One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8638501Retail $161.98 Sale $137.688638501
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Barn Light One Light Outdoor Flush Mount
Sean Lavin
7837401$144.987837401
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Wilburn Small One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8590901Retail $152.98 Sale $130.038590901
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One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
83046Retail $130.48 Sale $110.9183046
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Strut 42 Outdoor Bollard
Sean Lavin
700OBSTRRetail $980.00 Sale $918.75700OBSTR
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Redding Station Small Lantern
Generation Lighting
OL8600Retail $192.83 Sale $163.91OL8600
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Chatham One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8463Retail $386.98 Sale $328.938463
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Wilburn Extra Large One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8890901Retail $328.48 Sale $279.218890901
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One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Generation Lighting
8304801Retail $125.98 Sale $107.088304801
View Additional Finishes