Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Summer Paradise
Outdoor lighting is a multibillion-dollar industry. The global industry will reach an expected 28.42 billion USD by 2030. There are various reasons people spend so much money on these lights.
Exterior lighting can give your outdoor space everything from safety to ambiance. However, there is a particular art to arranging outdoor lighting.
Adding a few garden lights may not be enough to produce the proper illumination levels or mood. You need to know the light’s purpose and understand the correct placement.
It is possible to arrange your outdoor lights beautifully by yourself. But if you do find yourself in need of outdoor lighting tips, keep reading. We have a few ideas to give your outdoor space a magnificent glow.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient outdoor lighting works just like how it would inside. The goal is to create a light source that radiates throughout the area. Your lights should distribute an even level of light within the outdoor space.
These lights should illuminate your entertainment area separately from other, more specified light sources you may have.
Outdoor ambient lighting is bright enough for you and your guests to see each other and your surroundings. You must also consider the contrast between your yard’s light and dark areas.
Exterior ambient lights shouldn’t be so bright that your eyes can’t adjust to darkened spaces outside. For example, spotlights would be a bad choice.
They’re safety lights, so their illumination is too harsh for parties and casual gatherings. A better approach is placing various soft lights around the perimeter.
Here are a few examples of what works for ambient lighting outside:
Overhead string lights
Tiki torches
Solar torches
Chandeliers
You can hang overhead string lights above your open-air patio or deck. They’re a great choice for lighting pergolas and canopy tents as well.
The tiki and solar torches can line the outside of these structures for extra lighting. Permanent outdoor spaces like kitchens and living areas allow for a little class. You can hang an outdoor chandelier.
Outdoor chandeliers don’t have to be extravagant affairs. Many cheaper options include paper lanterns with a single socket cord. Make sure to store it during rainy weather.
Task Lighting
Task lights do as their name suggests—they give more focused lighting to do tasks. There are different kinds of outdoor task lights. The type you select depends on what you’re doing.
Path lights, for example, help illuminate paths, walkways, and patios. Anywhere you expect people to be should have path lights.
These prevent tripping in the dark and make identifying people coming near your property at night easier. Step lights serve the same purpose when inserted inside (or alongside) outdoor stairways.
Safety is important in creating a comfortable and inviting space to relax and party. Path and step lights also help “extend” your outdoor space.
Being able to see at night helps make your backyard feel like a functional extension of your indoor living space.
Low-voltage lighting
Low-voltage lighting is beneficial if you cook alfresco. You can install low-voltage lighting via kits that route 120-volt power from your home outdoors.
These kits transform electricity into a lower, safer voltage for outdoor use. This allows you to prepare meals as though you were using your indoor kitchen.
You’ll want lights so guests can eat and socialize. Candles and portable outdoor lanterns are fantastic options. They can serve as focal points and coordinate with existing outdoor decor.
Hanging lights under a table umbrella is a viable choice and adds a decorative, whimsical flare.
Indirect Lights
Indirect outdoor lighting creates ambiance and highlights specific items. Proper lighting lets you make your outdoor space feel inviting and welcoming.
Remember, your focus isn’t illuminating to see but to define the space’s features. If indirect lights help your vision, fantastic, but the goal is to draw attention to your outdoor space and backyard decor.
One fantastic thing about indirect lighting is how inexpensive it can be. Adding some eclectic backyard decor is as simple as hanging holiday string lights.
You can hang them like curtains or across walls. Finding the color or bulb size you want is a simple task. It’s even easier if you already have some in your Christmas decor.
Highlight specific areas with lights
If you’re proud of your horticultural skills, consider garden lights. Garden lights can be a safety precaution and highlight flower beds and yard decor at night.
Try adding them alongside garden structures like gazebos, ramadas, and pergolas. The lighting will draw attention to them while making them usable spaces.
You can add rope lights to banisters and retaining walls to define the area. Rope lights come in many colors and can be rechargeable. It’s best to pick waterproof ones for protection against the elements.
Waterside lighting is an easy way to enhance your outdoor area. Light reflected off water always creates exciting effects.
Underwater lights have many shapes and sizes. These go inside pools and ponds to make mysterious and enticing glowing effects.
What You Need to Know About Outdoor Lighting
No list of outdoor lighting ideas is complete without tips on the best bulb types and installation practices. LED bulbs work best for backyard decor lighting.
They cost more upfront but last longer and have better energy efficiency. Unlike other specific kinds of backyard decor, lightbulbs are fragile and dangerous if broken.
You should buy shatterproof plastic bulbs to avoid breaking and injuries. This is doubly so if you want low-hanging string lights or have small children.
Different lightbulbs produce different color temperatures. Lighting color temperature measures the range of brightness between yellow and blueish tint to white light.
The color temperature tells you how bright a yellow or blue light is. Certain color lights look better or worse in specific situations.
High Kelvin LED bulbs don’t work well outside because the light is too “white” or harsh. Amber-colored bulbs look more natural and warm.
Electrical Installation
We discussed low-voltage kits earlier, but how easy are they to install? You can purchase low-voltage equipment for cheap; however, installation takes a lot of effort.
Wiring for these lights requires submersion at least 18 inches below ground. The depth is to keep water from the wires. Low-voltage lights only need an outlet and transformer. The transformer converts the 120 volts to 12 volts.
Do not try DIY installations with these ground wires - always call a professional, licensed electrician. If ease of installation is your primary concern, get solar outdoor lighting.
You don’t have to worry about wires and installing outlets. You do need to find the best position for the photovoltaic cells to get the most sunlight.
Illuminate Your Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor lighting is versatile backyard decor. Lighting up your outdoor space improves your landscaping and serves a practical purpose. We hope this list of outdoor lighting ideas gives you a bit of inspiration.
Providing outdoor lighting tips isn’t the only thing we do. New London Electric can handle all your residential and commercial lighting needs.
We’ve been providing professionally licensed services throughout Chester County for 29 years. Contact us for a free quote or to set up an appointment for our electrical services today!