5 Ways To Light Your Outdoor Area

By Beth Osborne

As temperatures rise and days roll slowly into night, you are probably enjoying your outdoor spaces. From patios to decks to porches, spring and summer evenings are made for laughing with friends, spending quality time with the family, and hosting barbecues. While you may have landscape lighting, it might not be offering the visibility you’d like in your outdoor area.

Outdoor lighting serves a function but also is a part of your outdoor spot’s design. There are many options and possibilities, something perfect to fit every style. Beyond just the look of the lighting, you can choose from different types of lighting: lanterns, hanging lights, wall lights, sconces and more. From modern to gothic, lighting easily becomes a standout in your outdoor quarters. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different kinds of fixtures or finishes for a look that’s truly unique.

Create a Stunning Entryway

Installing lights on either side of your doorway is a great way to invite guests in and offers a well-lit entry for safely making it in and out. Using stylish lighting that matches the architectural style of your home adds immediate curb appeal. Ideally, you’d want to install matching fixtures flanking the door, if you only have room for one, choose the handle side. Regarding size, proportionally each fixture should be about a quarter of the height of the door.

Besides side fixtures, there’s also the option to use overhang lighting, which will provide a larger spread of light. You can also opt to use both wall and pendants together. You don’t necessarily need to use pieces from the same collection. Just consider how they complement each other.

Lighting your entry door is an opportunity to add charm and character to the front of your home, including this iron wall lantern that evokes a rustic, modern look.

Make Your Outdoor Living Space Cozy

If your outdoor space includes a place to gather, either a dining table or lounge area, you can use lighting to create the feeling of a room. With your outdoor living space feeling so cozy, the transition from inside to out is blurred.

Adding a hanging pendant to your space not only illuminates the area but also completes the look of any outdoor area.

Whether a pergola or some other structure is giving you the feel of a room, you’ll want to choose a light that can be easily installed and is safe for exterior use. For a light fixture to be suitable for outdoors, look for the UL rating.

While there are many designs to choose from, if you want to capture a Spanish Colonial look, consider this Hacienda style hanging lantern. You can keep the theme going by adding tabletop lanterns that complement the style of your overhead light.

Pathfinding Lighting for Safety and Style

Although you probably enjoy your outdoor spaces during daylight, warm nights make it more appealing during the spring and summer. So, if you have pathways or walkways, you’ll want to consider lighting them for safety and for ambiance.

There are lots of options to light pathways. You could choose solar lights that are driven into the ground and offer enough lighting to see where you are going. These lights depend on charging from the sun, so you’ll need to ensure they aren’t hidden in the shade.

Another, more permanent option is a post lantern. Many post lanterns draw inspiration from the colonial feel of the northeast. A three-light lantern head is a traditional design typically crafted in a weather-resistant material. These dapper designs are sure to not only offer a well-lit path but look stunning during the daytime as well. This design has a very traditional sloping top with a tiered topper. The single bulb sits inside seeded glass and has powder coat finish for long-lasting beauty.

Wall Lanterns Offer a Cohesive Look

Besides the front door, there are other opportunities to install wall lanterns in your outdoor area. For example, if you have a long back patio that stretches across the entire back of your home, you could add wall lanterns every few feet, depending on how much light the lanterns put out. This gives your entire space a homogenous look with plenty of light.

You may also select a wall lantern for your outside kitchen. Outdoor kitchens have been trending for years, as more homeowners want to make and enjoy meals outside. Kitchens need good lighting, so you know what you’re cutting or cooking. Place wall lanterns in strategic areas where you have a partial wall to add that extra bit of light you need.

On the front of the home, consider extending lanterns from just the front door to the entire front of the home. These will illuminate the front of your house, creating a stunning look from afar. Try this hardy stonestrong wall lantern that’s simple yet well refined.

Table-top Lighting: The Right Accents

In addition to lighting on posts and walls as well as hanging lights, don’t forget to add accents with table-top lighting. If you can find a collection of tabletop lanterns that are the same color and style just different shapes or sizes, you can scatter these lights among your living space for a polished, pulled together look. One option is the Coconio Collection, which includes four different lattice lanterns. Each has its own unique shape but when used together delivers a cohesive look. These handcrafted lights are made of wood and glass. Although their shapes are modern, the lattice look is more classic. It’s the blending of traditional materials with contemporary shapes.

Candles are also a great addition to any outdoor area. If you don’t care about the actual glow of fire, LED lights are now used quite often in outdoor candle holders. Either way, these little flecks of life are sure to bring warmth to your outside space.

It’s time to get outside and enjoy your outside living. Find the perfect lighting that offers function and flair.