Outdoor Patio Lighting Ideas

If you are like most people you tend to completely forget about your backyard patio once the sun goes down. You may use your patio for relaxing on nice days, or even for eating an occasional meal, but once it gets dark you find yourself inside in front of the TV or your computer screen. This is a shame since the evening hours are often the best time to enjoy your patio–especially in the summer when it gets too hot during the day.

All you really need to transform your patio into a nighttime paradise is some attractive outdoor patio lighting. Lighting for your walkways, driveway, and deck or patio area can create a welcoming glow that will be perfect for a nighttime barbecue or just relaxing out back in the evening hours.

Voltage

When installing patio lights on your home you are likely going to want a mix of standard-voltage and low-voltage lights. The standard-voltage lights can be attached to the side of the house or a free-standing post and will provide a bright illumination when you need to find your way from your car to your home or walk around outside for any reason when it’s dark out. These lights can be placed on motion sensors, so they only turn on when you need them. This way they are great for repelling burglars or other intruders.

Low-voltage lights are used for more decorative purposes and will provide your patio with a milder glow that is suitable for most evening activities. These lights come in a number of styles–from string lights that can be hung on a railing or along the house, to lantern lights that can be positioned just about anywhere.

Here is a list of outdoor patio lighting ideas to consider:

String Lights

Sting lights are decorative lights that can be placed on shrubs, railings or pretty much anywhere on or close to the patio. With these lights you get a whole bunch of small LED lights attached together on a long cord–very similar to the lights you may decorate with at Christmastime. String lights, however, are appropriate all-year round and come in a number of different shapes–from cute star or dragonfly shaped lights, to more basic round balls. You can even find solar-powered string lights, so you can easily illuminate areas that are not close to an electrical outlet.

Lantern Lights

If you need more illumination then what string lights provide you may want to go with a couple of lantern lights instead. The lights can be mounted on an outside wall and operated with a switch inside the house, or you can buy hanging lanterns that run on oil or kerosene. The advantage of these lights is that they look traditional and provide a reliable, bright source of light suitable for many outdoor activities.

Stake Lights

Stake lights are usually stuck into the ground surrounding the patio or placed along walkways or the garden. They rise just about two feet high and typically run on solar power. These lights are easy to install and provide a nice gentle glow that creates a peaceful ambiance in your outdoor space.

Torch Lights

Torch lights are similar to stake lights but are generally taller and are often attached to a railing or purchased as a free-standing light. You can add a few tiki torch lights to give your patio a tropical look, or go for a more traditional style. Either way this style of outdoor deck lighting is low maintenance and should provide more than enough illumination when used in conjunction with some of the other styles.

Awning Lights/Umbrella Lights

If you have an awning or an outdoor umbrella, why not go for some patio lights that will fit your existing outdoor furniture. Awning lights attach to the bottom edge of your awning and provide lighting as you eat or relax under the canopy. Patio umbrella lights contain a round, donut-shaped disk that clamps around your umbrella pole. These lights are great for parties and will really catch the eye of friends and family when they come over for dinner.