Enhance those long, leisurely evenings on the patio with the right lighting. From subtle landscape lighting and string lights that cast a soft glow to sconces, pendants and more, these ideas will help spark your imagination and plan that perfect patio.
1. String Lights
Nothing can beat the soft, glowing light of café-style lights strung overhead, and since they are so inexpensive, you can use them liberally without denting your budget.
Good to know: Be sure to choose outdoor-rated string lights. LED bulbs will last practically forever, but incandescent bulbs will give you that trademark soft glow. Solar string lights are a great option if you want to hang them far from an outlet.
A note on extra outlets. Having adequate exterior outlets is a must for hanging string lights, lanterns and more (unless they’re solar powered). Make the investment in exterior outlets instead of running cords through a cracked window — not only will your home be safer, but you’ll be able to choose exactly where you want the outlets to go.
Good to know: If you live in an older house, your exterior outlets might not have up-to-date safety features, so consider having them upgraded. All exterior electrical outlets should have a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and a weatherproof box cover to keep the outlet protected.
2. Sconces
Sconces are a great option when you want to cast a glow on an open patio.
Good to know: A lantern-style fixture will cast a larger glow than one mounted flush against the house, so think about going for something larger than you might use on, say, the front porch.
3. Landscape Lighting
Not just for the backyard, low-voltage landscape lighting can ramp up the ambience of your patio.
Good to know: Generally not enough to light up an outdoor room on its own, landscape lighting can work well in conjunction with sconces or string lights. Try a few low lights in bushes surrounding the patio or illuminating a pathway.
Because landscape lighting is low voltage, this is a relatively easy and safe DIY project, should you choose to give it a whirl.
4. Pendant Lights
Few things say outdoor room quite as elegantly as a well-placed pendant light.
Good to know: If you decide to replace an existing overhead fixture yourself, be sure the new fixture is similar in weight to the old one — if it’s much heavier, a pro may need to put in a new junction box that can take the additional weight.
5. Recessed Lighting
Simple and sleek, recessed lights would be perfect tucked into the covered patio of a contemporary or modern home.
Good to know: Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the lighting to perfectly suit the mood — and a dimmer is something you can do yourself.
Extend dinnertime with a well-lit outdoor kitchen. If your grilling area is separate from your patio seating area, consider subtly linking the two zones with lighting. Direct lighting is more important in the kitchen zone than mood, so go for an overhead option, like recessed lights or adjustable fixtures that can be pointed exactly where you want them to go.
6. Stair Riser Lights
This small touch can add ambience and prevent falls.
Good to know: Having just one or two steps can actually cause more accidents than a taller staircase. Especially at dusk, that single step can be easy to miss, so adding a light is a kind thing to do.
Source: houzz.com
