These are incidentally the same things you need to consider with all outdoor lighting questions and matters.  We will take a few moments to break all these components down.  First, consider the fact that depending on the site you are searching or the store you contact, they may be using terms that are synonymous or quite different.  What this means is that while one site may be discussing outdoor patio lighting, another store or online site will be talking about deck lights.  Geographically, these may be different items, however, they may also be talking about what you are interested in, so you’ll need to clarify this first.

Location
The reason why location can make a difference for your patio light choice is that it will help determine the style that will work best.  If you are looking for light to navigate your patio and backyard space with, then outdoor flood lights are what you will need.  True, these are not the most elegant looking types of lighting, but they will do what you need – illuminate a path or entire area.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more intimate type of area, then patio lighting that is more like an indoor can will perform better for you in this scenario.  In fact, depending upon how your patio cover is built, you may be able to hide your lighting fixtures between beams or posts, making it appear more visually clean.  If you would like to create an intimate environment, but also be able to notice your elegant fixtures, then rustic lighting may be what you need to consider.  Within this category are styles of lights that could include metal with a patina or antler style chandeliers.  Outdoor chandeliers, incidentally, can make a big statement in any outdoor room or deck space.

Type of Light
Here, we are talking mostly about whether you go with a more standard wired light or a solar style of light.  It is more common to be able to find solar garden lights, but flood lighting and other deck lights are available with solar features now.  Because your patio is exposed to so much sunlight potentially, being outdoors, it is in a prime location to get enough energy from the sun to power your lights.  Similarly, the openness of your garden landscape allows for those solar lights to get enough sun to provide light through most of the evening and night hours.  If you are looking for more pronounced or bright lighting, then you will likely need to consider a wired and possibly low-voltage system.

Light Usage
This category of patio lighting relates with the type of light issues and location themes as well.  It has to do more with how you use your patio or deck space.  People that have more entertaining and parties will have different needs than someone who occasionally spends some time outdoors in the early morning or evening reading a book or drinking some tea.

Your patio activities will also dictate the type of lighting you need.  If you have designed an outdoor kitchen, then you will require some task lights or other lights that are bright enough to allow you to prepare your food.  Similarly, those intimate spaces you wish to create will require spot lighting.  In fact, these types of places can be created almost exclusively with the right use of specific patio lights.

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1. Deck Lights – Getting The Right Patio Light
2. Deck Lights for Your Patio
3. Patio Lights – Making Your Outdoor Space Sparkle

If you thought chandeliers were only for indoor spaces, think again.  In fact, there are all sorts of rustic lighting

It just feels instantly more elegant with a chandelier - even outside.

options that may suit your patio space.  Some of these patio light options include rope or string lights.  The rope style is sometimes referred to as deck lights, because of how they can be mounted along a railing or perimeter of a deck.  There are also styles that are more playful or whimsical and can be hung from your patio cover or other outdoor patio structure.  You might even find that your patio umbrella can be used as a source of light – at least in so far as the umbrella structure can support different lighting options.

But, for truly elegant lighting and a grand outdoor space, you’ve got to look into getting an outdoor chandelier.  These are not just indoor models that you no longer care about so you stick them outside.  These varieties have been manufactured to withstand the conditions of water and other issues with the elements, such as temperature and dust.  Imagine your patio as a type of outdoor room.  This room, just like others in your home, has a roof, floor and walls.  Okay, sometimes the walls are more a hint of a wall, like posts upon which some outdoor curtains or shades have been hung.  The floor can be stone or pavers and may be softened by the use of an outdoor rug.

The use of quality outdoor dining furniture will also help to create the mood of the space in question.  If you use top of the line furniture, your lighting will only serve to accent that and make your space shine even more.  So, enough talk about why a chandelier makes such a great addition to your outdoor room, how about some specifics.

The style of chandelier that you choose will be directly related to how you plan on using your space.  Like all accessories, you will get the most benefit if the type of lighting you choose matches your entertaining style.  These outdoor chandeliers we are speaking about are also available with shades, so you are not limited to the pendant drops and crystal styles.  Again, in all circumstances, remember to ensure that any outdoor light you choose is approved for outdoor use, has sealed electrical circuitry and is appropriately grounded.  You can get additional protection from having your switch in a rubberized ‘envelope’ with a heavier gauge outdoor cord.  These things should all come standard on any outdoor chandelier.

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1. Outdoor Chandelier Lighting
2. Deck Lights – Getting The Right Patio Light
3. Rustic Lighting – Making Your Patio Glow

Here you can see a combination of deck lights and string lights.

Now, we do realize that we are talking about a deck here, so using words like ‘performance’ might sound a bit over the top, but it is true.  Think about how your deck is working now.  If you don’t have caps on your posts, then the performance of your wood is suffering.  Sure, that cedar or redwood can last for many seasons.  In fact, it will weather quite beautifully, even with the proper staining and sealing.

Think about how much better it will look and last with a deck light on the end of each post.  Combine this look with the right patio lights and your deck just became the envy of the neighborhood.  Outdoor lighting is so varied and such a valuable addition to any patio or deck.  Some types of lights provide just lighting for safety more or less.  Other types are for accent or ambient lighting.

A decorative patio light can make a great statement.  Put together various styles and you can create rooms or separate seating areas that the deck lighting delineates for you.  You can even use them on a ground level deck or patio space to create a type of ‘fence’ between your deck and the surrounding landscape or garden area.

The main thing to remember with lighting is that you want it to make your space more usable.  You don’t want it just to add brightness or harshness.  So, having control over these levels is an important factor to consider.  And, since lighting is such a special feature to any deck, you’ll have to add it into your budget to make sure that it isn’t a surprise at the end.

Deck Lighting – Costs and Considerations

Because the styles of deck lighting vary so much depending upon the type you choose, let’s discuss just one of the styles seen on many decks as an example.  These are the ones that cap the end of your posts.  At your local home improvement warehouses, similar lights will sell for anywhere between $40-60 USD each.  You can see how this will quickly add up if you have a large deck.  Also, if you are considering lighting, the best time to do the installation is when building.  Some styles can be added after the deck is completed, but others will look much more blended into your design if they can be planned for and ‘channeled’ into the deck structure itself.

There are also solar deck lighting options that should not be overlooked.  If you’ve read any of our other articles related to your garden or patio lighting needs, then you know we are big fans of solar here at Patio Covers Place.  Solar is not only a great choice for the environment, but it will cost you less over time to enjoy your deck and patio spaces.  Just some good ideas and food for thought in your quest for the perfect deck lights.

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Related posts:

1. Deck Lights for Your Patio
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3. Outdoor Chandelier – More Than A Light

So, this is another point to consider.  If you plan on using your patio for entertaining, then lighting will need to be discussed long before you even build your backyard out.  Because of the available patio lighting options, function and elegance can coexist in your outdoor space.  You don’t have to settle on an ugly ‘functional’ light that is used for making things more visible, such as food or beverage on tables and such.  Your spot lighting can be hidden between beams in your pergola.  This is where great covered patio plans come into play. It is much easier to plan for your lighting needs before or while building rather than retrofit later.  Sometimes this simply isn’t an option, but when it is, it makes life much easier.

Accent lighting is the next thing on your design plate.  Because patio lights come in so many styles, shapes, colors and designs, you can mix and match as you experiment.  You don’t have to feel locked in with your accent lighting.  This is where you can let your personality shine.  You can opt for a single patio light that is in the shape of a star or other whimsical design.  Then, there are the popular patio string lights.  These are usually sold in specific lengths.  Ten and twenty foot lengths are common and can be strung together, much like winter holiday lights, to create

Some Asian inspired patio umbrella lights.

longer strands.  They come in a wide variety of styles and configurations.  You can find metal ones, holiday ones, flower or animal-shaped ones.  If you have a special theme in mind, you are bound to find a patio string light style that will be a great match.  These can be hung beneath your covered patio or out on your deck railing.  Another popular trend is having patio umbrella lights.  These can be light strands that are specially made to hang beneath your patio umbrella or can be just be a few strands of the string lights plugged together.

Homemade Patio Lighting

You can make patio lights out of all sorts of objects found around your home.  These make very unique lights that your guests will certainly remember.  Just for an example, you can use empty soup cans with the labels peeled, then punch holes in the bottoms to hang lights in.  This will take a bit of work, but the end result will be a really endearing focal point to your patio.  This is a project that the older kids can help you out with as well.  These ideas have also been replicated at a local pizza place in town, using those large tomato cans with the labels still on and mounted over the bar area for spot lighting.  It looks great and gives a chic feel to the place.  This is not only a neat look but it also is an environmentally friendly way to recycle those old cans.

Similarly, solar patio lights are available that are friendlier to Mother Earth.  Much like their solar garden light cousins, these patio lights can be more inconspicuous.  You wouldn’t want to see a big photovoltaic cell mounted there off your patio or other backyard structure.  Also, if you plan on entertaining into the wee hours, you may lose some of the endurance and intensity that on-the-grid lighting will provide.

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Related posts:

1. Patio String Lights Make Great Patio Accessories
2. Outdoor Flood Lights
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