It’s May, and soon it will be time for you to start enjoying the warm, long days of the season with friends and family. While traveling might be in the plans over the next few months, there will most likely be many days that you’ll find yourself at home and enjoying the wonderful weather.
No one can argue that summer days are pretty close to perfect (there are many songs about them) but a summer night can be just as good. One way to ensure that you are set up and able to appreciate the season after the sun sets is by setting up some patio lighting. We don’t mean that flood light that might be facing your backyard space, we mean outdoor lighting ideas that will create and add to your existing outdoor living space.
We’ve compiled a few tips on how to choose outdoor lighting to help you embark on your enlightening journey. But first, before we dive into the good ideas, let’s take a look at a few of the common mistakes that individuals make when trying to incorporate lighting in their patio and backyard.
Bulb Tech
Making sure to choose the right bulb is very important. The two main lightbulb types available for outdoors are LED and incandescent.
- LED
If you think you’re going to be restricted by the wattage in your patio space, LED bulbs are definitely the way to go. Far more energy efficient, LEDs are the right choice if you’re looking to incorporate a lot of lights or cover a long distance of space. They are long lasting and extremely durable.
- Incandescent
If you’re looking for a less abrasive light, these bulbs are perfect. The soft glow of incandescent light is best used when spacing is larger and shorter distances. Many people tend to go with incandescent bulbs because they give off a soft glow when their exposed filaments heat up. A more vintage look can really tie together your outdoor space.
Size
it can be extremely frustrating to lay out your plan, buy the supplies, and only come back to your patio to find that you bought the wrong size bulbs for the fixtures you want. Always double-check the size and wattage restrictions on your equipment to save yourself any unnecessary trips back to town.
Color
Patio lights are available in a few different finishes — transparent, satin, and frosted. Depending on the feel that you want to achieve with your patio lighting, each one offers a distinct lighting experience.
- Satin
For a more refined look, satin finished bulbs would be the best suggestion — think vintage and elegant.
- Frosted
Slightly diffused, frosted bulbs glow fresh and offer a unique lighting feel.
- Transparent
This natural light bulb does a terrific job of adding depth to your patio and landscape designs.
7 Patio Lighting Tips
Now, as for the types of outdoor lighting that you can use to enhance your patio area, there are countless to choose from. Here are a few of the latest ideas that are gracing patios across the country.
Lanterns
Whether you find vintage ones from a resale shop or new ones, these lighting symbols are a great way to add light (candle or battery-operated candles) and a great design element. Use them in a cluster on a table or illuminate a path in your landscaping.
Chandelier
If you’re fortunate enough to have a pergola, hanging an elegant or rustic lighting fixture can be a great addition to your setup. While wiring and weather safe options might cause problems, you can always go the old-fashioned route and fill it with candles.
Safety First
Safety FirstWhile having lighting for your patio space is important to see, interact, and enjoy your time after the sun sets, proper lighting is also important for safety. Steps, walkways, landscaping features, and anything else that might pose a safety concern for guests is important to illuminate.
Solar deck and pathway lights are a great way to add just a subtle amount of light to areas of concern while not overpowering the mood that is achieved by your aesthetic lighting. You can even line these on your deck railings to bring up some light a little higher.
Wrapped Trees and Posts
A great way to incorporate modern landscape lighting into your backyard is by wrapping the trees or posts with string lights. Bringing more depth to your outdoor space can help create a great atmosphere and integrate your existing features into your after-dark design.
Lights Strung Up
If wrapping trees isn’t an option, utilizing string lights can still be an option. Connecting a string of lights over your gathering space is a great exterior lighting idea. Whether you string them parallel, crisscross or even around the perimeter, strung lights offer the perfect ambiance and aesthetic appeal to finish off your space.
Fire Pit
It goes without saying that a fire pit is one of the best ways to bring light and a new focal point to your patio space. A natural center of attention, a fire pit can be both aesthetically pleasing as well as functional for cooking dinner and campfire desserts. There are countless options from movable to permanent structures that you can choose from to fit your style and desires.
Lamps
Bet you never thought to bring an indoor lamp outside” Why reinvent the wheel when you don’t need to? Go to a resale shop and pick up some cool, old lamps that you won’t care too much about getting dirty or broken (worst case scenario) and fill that spot on your patio table or that dark corner of your deck.
Before you settle on your lighting choice and ideas, make sure that you have your seating and furniture situation just the way you want it. While summer is just around the corner, it’s not too late to find that perfect couch or lounge chairs for your patio, so that you can fully enjoy your time outdoors at home.
At Clima, we’re proud to be the premier location for all your luxury outdoor furniture needs. We showcase the top manufacturers and designers from around the world to ensure that we have just what you are looking for. Check out the outdoor lighting options we carry at https://www.climahome.com/catalog/lighting/.