Rustic outdoor lighting is one style that is near and dear to my heart.  It is the style that adorns both the interior as well as exterior walls of my own home.  I am fortunate enough to live in a place where bears and moose are common and the forest and lakes are world renowned. 

So I can truly tell you that if you want to create a unique charming appeal to your home, rustic outdoor lighting will help you do it.

Rustic lighting fixtures are usually made with finishes that are rugged looking and distressed. Materials like brass outdoor lighting are beautiful but they don't convey the feeling of rustic charm now do they?

The finishes for rustic or lodge style lighting are usually bronzed or brushed so they look old and worn. These types of rustic finishes are very durable and weather resistant.

In order for a lighting fixture to be considered rustic it must be made of the right material of course, but it also has to have a natural, outdoor element to it.  Quite often the decorative designs on rustic lighting include scenes from nature.  It could be a cowboy with a lasso, a mother bear with her cub or be decorated with pine cones and twigs. The right material combined with your choice of nature inspired design is what gives these lights their charm.

There are also many different styles of rustic lighting fixtures.  The lantern style is probably the most common as it provides a quaint appeal of times gone by.  These sconces and lanterns can quite often be used both indoors and out to provide a commonality to your decorating style.

Some believe that if you want to create the true look of a old western ranch or rustic lodge, you should hang rustic light fixtures from chains or ropes on the exterior of your home.  While this may be more authentic, it looks just as stunning to affix lanterns or sconces to the exterior walls of your home. 

If you were to purchase your rustic outdoor lighting from a true crafts person or antique shop, you may have to buy the installation hardware separately.  However, if you purchase your rustic fixtures from a local home improvement store or through one of the larger online retailers like eBay or Amazon. com, the proper hardware should be included with the sale. 

Installation of these types of lighting fixtures is usually quite simple.

As with most home decorating items, the prices for rustic light fixtures can vary greatly. If you browse online you will see that prices for a charming outdoor fixture can range from $20 up to over $400.

Be sure to know your budget before you begin shopping.

There is nothing more visually appealing than some wonderful rustic lighting. It will evoke a sense of nature and comfort to each and every one of your guests when they arrive at your home. The type of decorative accents you use for your interior and exterior home decorating should be a reflection of your own personality and style.

Be authentic and be happy.