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Just like you, one of our favorite things to do is to get together with family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors… gathering near the BBQ while waiting impatiently for that sauce-slathered rack of ribs to come off the grill, uncorking the second bottle of wine while watching the kids play with something that doesn’t have a screen, or huddled around a blazing fire pit sharing stories of our past that may or may not be true.
As the good times roll on, it’s inevitable that that huge blazing ball of fire in the sky that gives us all life eventually disappears over the western horizon… and although some of our friends look significantly better in the dark (I’m looking at you, Steve) it’s generally good form to light up your surroundings for both ambiance and safety. Adding the right lighting, in the right places, can make all the difference in how your home is viewed by your guests.
Lucky for you, your friends here at Patio Heat and Shade have been thinking about some of their favorite outdoor lighting ideas to raise your outdoor entertaining game. We gathered our outdoor patio specialists together to discuss their favorite outdoor lighting ideas, and thought we’d bring you in on the conversation.
As you look over these 8 illuminating outdoor lighting ideas think of each one and how that idea would work in your home… They’re not all going to be right for you, but when you land on those few gems that would be perfect, we’ll be there for you to help make it happen. Let’s take a look...
Pathway lighting guides your guests to your door, but it’s not all about function. The bold, clean lines of the Hinkley Lighting Atlantis path lights (available in 6 finishes) are as at home in a contemporary residence as they are in the formal garden of a traditional home. LED lighting (using replaceable bulbs) insures even lighting at a ridiculously low cost (each 1.5-watt bulb, running 12 hours a day, would cost $1.08 per YEAR to operate).
PRO TIP: For optimal coverage, place landscape lighting every 6 to 8 feet. Alternating your lighting along your path (left then right) as shown in this illustration is the preferred method for even lighting and the best security.
Lurkers, potential intruders and general ne’er do wells around your home are repelled by fixtures literally shining a light on their presence. Step up your security game with the Generation Lighting flood light with motion sensor that uses a high-quality motion sensor (sensing up to 60 feet with 180-degree detection range) to activate the two flood lights… keeping your family safe.
Outdoor wall sconces are frequently used for security (like on either side of an entry door) or to herd your guests in the right direction (mounted on an exterior wall near a pathway to the front door). We love how the Kichler Lighting River Path outdoor wall lantern throws beams of LED light radiating off the small, seeded glass bubbles, creating the look of stars at night while fully illuminating your entryway.
Cantilever umbrellas (you know, the ones that have the poles on the side rather than in the middle) are one of our favorite ways to shade your family, and when top-quality umbrellas like the SimplyShade Bali Pro starlight cantilever umbrella can pull double-duty it’s a true no-brainer. In the evening, the built-in LED rib lights keep the party going with a ridiculously long (50,000 hour) lifetime and comes with a 33’ cord and UL-approved 12v digital indoor/outdoor transformer.
Just because you’re outdoors doesn’t mean your lighting has to be ho-hum. The clean and classic design of the Hinkley Lighting Alford Place hanging lantern sports a precision die-cast frame and loop paired with a sealed glass roof to provide excellent illumination from all sides. Available in either 120v or 12v models, both come with four LED bulbs ready to light up your night sky.
There’s nothing like a raging fire to gather people together. Whether it’s the romance of the flickering flames, mesmerizing effect you get while staring deeply into the fire, or our inner pyromaniac shining through, adding a fire pit (fueled by propane, natural gas or plain ole’ wood) or fire table (same, sans wood) is one of our favorite ways to add light (and amazing warmth) to your outdoor space. We particularly like the Bailey Street Home Donovan fire pit with a nice large top ready to greet your guests at your next shindig.