The use of proper outdoor lighting fixtures is required to accomplish all these tasks
. The primary thing to decide is whether you want the outdoor light to help you see while you are outside or whether you want the light for security purposes. Post lights can be placed on the route to your front door to help illuminate the foot path for safety or you can place wall mounted or hanging lights by your door. Both these options will light up the yard, thus offering the comfort of security.
In case the light is being sited in an area that will be exposed to the elements, a weatherproof fixture will make a good choice for the durability factor. Most outdoor lighting fixtures are exposed to the elements and therefore come with different protective materials to protect the bulb and remain resistant to the various elements that they are exposed to. Also remember that such fixtures are supposed to last for several years so extra care has to be taken to make the right choice.
Proper care should also be taken to ensure that the outdoor lighting fixtures coordinate with the overall theme and dcor of the space where they will be deployed, as this would add aesthetically to the charm of the house. A contemporary home should have a modern fixture while a country home would suit a rustic look.
However do not be carried away by the looks of the fixture alone, make sure that the lighting you choose is providing the required light in the area where it is installed. In case some area is not lighted properly, then you might need to install another fixture. Always remember that having too much light is just as bad as having too little light.
A good way to check for the reliability of outdoor lighting fixtures and bathroom light fixtures is to ask for recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. They would be able to make suggestions of a few retailers who stock such fixtures and you can then check out the websites of these retailers and read through user reviews before finally making up your mind.