Simple Lighting Solutions for Homes and Vacation Rentals: Safety and Convenience with Our Top Product Picks

Lighting doesn’t just enhance the ambiance; it improves safety and makes life easier.

After a long day, we finally arrived at our destination with our 4-month-old in tow, excited yet exhausted. Flying out after work, collecting our luggage, and grabbing the rental car were the easy parts. But what followed turned our excitement into frustration: we couldn’t find our vacation rental in the dark.

Driving up and down, headlights on high beam, we squinted at barely visible house numbers, all while probably blinding anyone unfortunate enough to be near their window. When we finally located the house, the relief didn’t last long—carrying our baby with the baby rental essentials on the porch, we struggled to navigate the unlit steps, fumble for the key, and find the keyhole in complete darkness.

No porch light. No lit driveway. No illuminated house number. It was an accident waiting to happen.

This experience was a wake-up call (pun intended). It highlighted just how critical good lighting is—not only for safety but for peace of mind. Poor lighting, whether inside or outside, can create unnecessary risks and stress, especially when you’re carrying luggage or, in our case, a baby and equipment.

Key Areas That Need Attention for Better Lighting Solutions Lighting doesn’t just enhance the ambiance; it improves safety and makes life easier. Based on personal experiences and recommendations from occupational therapists, here are the top areas that can benefit from improved lighting:

  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Hallways
  • Stairways (inside and outside)
  • Entrances into homes or buildings
  • Driveways
  • House numbers

Studies show that most falls occur in homes, with bedrooms, stairs, and bathrooms being the top culprits. Outside, driveways and sidewalks are prime locations for mishaps. While many factors contribute to falls, improving lighting is one of the simplest, most cost-effective solutions to increase safety and improve our overall health.

Our Top Recommended Lighting Products Here’s a selection of simple and budget-friendly lighting solutions that don’t require professional installation with the exception of exterior floodlights:

  1. Outdoor Solar Pathway Lights No wiring or plugs needed! Just stake these lights into the ground, and they recharge during the day using solar energy, illuminating pathways at night.
  2. SnapPower Guide Light Outlet Covers A game-changer for night lighting! These outlet covers feature built-in motion sensors and don’t take up an outlet like traditional plug-in night lights.
  3. Under-Cabinet Lighting (Also Great for Closets and Under the Bed) Adjustable light temperatures allow for a softer tone at night and brighter light during the day. These wireless, rechargeable lights can even be controlled by a remote for convenience.
  4. Security Motion Sensor Outdoor Flood Light Ensure your home’s exterior is well-lit with motion-activated floodlights. Many models are waterproof and offer adjustable brightness settings (be mindful of overly bright lights if you have neighbors!). Consider the Ring Floodlight Camera for added security, but note that some floodlights may require hardwiring or professional installation.

Additional Lighting Solutions. From outdoor spotlights to battery-operated sconces, there are a variety of wireless and easy-to-install lighting solutions available today. These products also make fantastic holiday gifts or can be added to your wishlist for events like Amazon Prime Day.

Ready to Brighten Up Your Space? Lighting is more than just a practical feature—it’s a key factor in creating a safe and functional environment. If you need help planning lighting for your home or vacation rental, or want a consultation for optimal electrical placements, contact Custom Joy for expert advice. We’re here to help you light up your space, one solution at a time!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use or believe will add value to our readers. We deeply appreciate your support in helping us continue our mission of educating others on the importance of universal and accessible design!

Hey, It's Tiffany!

Click around and read up on everything family, home and travel related!

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Tiffany Blog Posts

Meet the Blogger

Hi, I’m Tiffany Dill!

As a mom with profound hearing loss, I know firsthand the beauty and chaos of navigating life with young kids, extended family, and all the little surprises along the way. At Blue Day 2, I’m all about creating spaces and experiences that bring joy to families of all ages and abilities. From home designs that work seamlessly for everyone to sharing my favorite picks from my LTK and Amazon shops, I’m here to make life and travel simpler, more accessible, and filled with joy. Stick around for plenty of inspiration, a little less stress, and a whole lot more fun as we embrace life’s perfectly imperfect adventures together!

Let's Get Personal!

Click on the tabs below to learn more fun facts about me. Do we have anything in common?

Tiffany, you've been married to Andrew for over 16 years now. Any special anniversary traditions?

Oh, absolutely! Every year since we got married in September 2008, we’ve worn the exact same clothes we left our wedding reception in. Yup, I'm talking my gold cocktail dress, wedding jewelry shining, and Andrew rocking his wedding suit. We’re not about to let that tradition slide. It’s been 16 years of pure anniversary magic. I guess you could say we’re "stuck" in our wedding day outfits, but in the best way possible!

Completing an Ironman and earning a doctorate in occupational therapy in the same year sounds intense. How did you pull that off?

Intense is one way to put it! But honestly, raising two energetic boys might just be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The Ironman and doctorate were definitely tough, but mom life? That’s the ultimate endurance race. It’s the one that keeps me—and even Andrew—on our A-game, every single day. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, though. There’s nothing like their opposite personalities and they surprise you with so much joy even in the chaos, and that's where my energy goes—no finish line required.

You’ve set a pretty ambitious goal with playing ‘Sweet By and By’ on the piano. What’s the story there?

Ah, yes! I miss playing the piano. I started playing piano since second grade and even made it to an advanced level through college. But now, my life goal is to master Sweet By and By (again) before I leave earth. It’s definitely a stretch, but that’s the fun part, right? First, though, I need to add a piano in a room I’ve been dreaming of since we built our home. Playing piano was always my outlet. Until then, running is my stress reliever.

Hidden talent alert: You can read lips. How’d you discover that one?

Oh, this one goes way back! When I was four years old, I managed to fool five different audiologists during my hearing tests. It wasn’t until a doctor noticed that I wasn’t repeating what she said when she turned around (back in those days they didn’t cover their lips nor did they have tinted windows in the sound booth)! I had spinal meningitis at 13 months, which nearly took my life and left me in a coma for a week. As a result, I had to start over on a few developmental milestones and missed a lot of early speech and language development. Thanks to years of speech therapy and a knack for lip-reading, I still manage to fool people with my profound hearing loss. It comes in handy when someone wants to know what the ref said on the field or TV, or if I’m in a crowded room and want to eavesdrop—just kidding. Sort of.

On the flip side, what are some things you’re not a fan of?

Confined spaces. Cilantro. Olives. Blue cheese. I could live without all of those. And don’t even get me started on being stuck inside for hours at a time. I'm much more suited to wide-open spaces, the great outdoors, and pretty much anything that involves fresh air.

We all know you’re a planner, but what do you hold closest to your heart?

Sentiments. They’re irreplaceable. There’s something about the things that carry emotional weight—whether it’s a moment or an object—that just can’t be duplicated. I’ve learned to really appreciate the simple, meaningful stuff in life. In fact, our Christmas tree is adorned with over 20 years of ornaments symbolizing memories from a loss of loved ones to trips and even sour times. It’s like finding joy in the simple little things whether they are happy or sad or even bad memories.

You’re a busy mom and entrepreneur, but how do you manage to squeeze in family time?

Time? What’s that? Ha! Honestly, there’s just not enough of it. And the thing is, we can’t get it back. So I prioritize memory-making with my family. That’s my top priority. Whether it’s hiking, running, biking, traveling, or exploring the great outdoors with my boys, I live for those moments. In fact, I devote one day off work a week to be with my little guys and my husband and I carve out a weekly date night.

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