Outdoor lighting ideas for decks
12 Ideas for Lighting Up Your Deck
When night falls, you'll need these deck lighting ideas to help create a great space to hang out and enjoy the stars.
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Irina Mos/Shutterstock
Deck Stair Lights
Lights on deck stairs give subtle illumination and make your deck safer after dark.
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Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
String Deck Lighting
Who says LED Christmas lights are just for the holidays? Hanging deck lights or string lights of various colors can invoke a fun, festive atmosphere on your deck year-round.
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Photo: Courtesy of Accent Lighting
Under-Counter Deck Lighting
If you have an outdoor grilling or cooking area, consider putting lighting underneath your work spaces to help everyone see what they’re doing.
Photo: Courtesy of Accent Lighting
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Epic StockMedia/Shutterstock
Recessed Deck Lighting
If your deck has some overhead protection, recessed deck lighting work well because they are protected from the elements and don’t require constant cleaning.
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Photo: Courtesy of The Decksperts
Deck Post Cap Lights
Deck post cap lights work well in a deck space. Available in both LED and solar-powered varieties, deck cap lights are available at most home improvement stores or online.
Photo: Courtesy of The Decksperts
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Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Nagle Landscaping Design Construction
In-Floor Lighting
There are a variety of low-voltage options when it comes to lighting your deck floor. Place lights in deck corners or near steps and seating for the perfect decking lights combination.
Photo: Courtesy of Samuel Nagle Landscaping Design Construction
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Photo: Courtesy of Realtor.com
Under Rail Deck Lighting
Try using solar or LED-powered lights under the deck railing to create a soft glow.
Photo: Courtesy of Realtor.com
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Photo: Courtesy of Britescape
Spotlights Over Deck
This covered deck area uses spotlights to help direct light where it is needed most. You want to see what you’re eating, right?
Photo: Courtesy of Britescape
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Greg Henry/Shutterstock
Under Deck Lighting
If your deck is technically a balcony, ceiling fans with lights are ideal. They look great, plus the air circulation and light make the area more functional. In addition, we love how this home also features a hang out space under the deck, which is perfect for under deck lighting.
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Photographee.eu/Shutterstock
Hang Lights on a Pergola
If you have a pergola, you can install string lights or wired light fixtures in the rafters. These hanging deck lights accentuate the architectural elements of the structure.
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S_Photo/Shutterstock
Lanterns
If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive way to bring light to your deck space, try outdoor lanterns. Lanterns with battery-operated or solar bulbs (or candles!) are portable so you can put them where you need them most.
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tab62/Shutterstock
Strictly Solar Deck Lighting
Sometimes a well-placed solar light is all you need. Solar lights are easy on the wallet and can be placed on deck posts, walkways and even in planter boxes—no wiring required.
Originally Published: February 04, 2019
Rachel Brougham
Writer and editor with a background in news writing, editorial and column writing and content marketing.
11 Deck Lighting Ideas for Illuminating Your Outdoor Space
Let There Be Light
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When night falls, swimming and barbecuing is more challenging than it is during the day—as is simply finding your way around the deck and property. Installing backyard lighting makes it much easier to see the surroundings, so parties can last longer with less hassle. Not only does outdoor lighting help protect your property and keep everyone safer, but deck lighting also contributes to a stylish outdoor ambiance. Looking for new outdoor lighting to hang up in your yard? Allow us to illuminate you with 11 deck lighting ideas that are surefire ways to light up your life.
RELATED: 6 Simple Steps to a Refreshed Deck
istockphoto.
com
Under-Umbrella Lights
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If a deck is a source of pride and joy, and entertaining out there is preferred, a little thing like nighttime shouldn’t have to interrupt a gathering. Many decks have wide umbrellas to block out the sun during the day, and those same umbrellas can also help keep the party going after sundown: Festooning the umbrella with inexpensive string lights is easy to do, and gives your outdoor space a festive feel. OYOCO's LED patio umbrella light, which snaps around the umbrella's pole, is another stellar way to light up al fresco summer dinners.
istockphoto.com
In-Stair Lights
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Maneuvering up or down stairs in the dark is a recipe for potential injury—adding integrated stair lighting makes after-dark time outdoors a whole lot safer. Hampton Bay's low-voltage, full-brick deck lights, for example, project white LED light onto stair treads so you can see where you're going. Their UV-coated black aluminum face plates will go with most any deck decor.
Home Depot
String Lights
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String lights or fairy lights aren’t just for the holiday season or a kid’s room. Hanging string lights across a roof or backyard is an easy way to create an ethereal and intimate backyard aesthetic. Plug-in or battery-powered, these outdoor-rated lights can be strung above a dining table, across a pergola, or along the length of a fence to add a soft glow during an evening cookout, a dinner party, or afternoon garden festivities.
RELATED: The Best Solar String Lights for Your Outdoor Space
istockphoto.com
Solar Railing Lights
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If you’re looking to add lighting that blends seamlessly into a deck's design, fixtures that attach to the deck railing are a low-key way to go. Ideaworks' solar deck lights have built-in solar panels, and automatically turns on at dusk and off at dawn. The set of three railing lights are offered in brown or white and also come with mounting hardware.
RELATED: The Best Places to Install Solar Lights in Your Outdoor Space
Amazon
Pendant Lights
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For many homeowners, ceiling-mounted light fixtures are go-to solutions for interior rooms that need bright light. Why not try the same type of fixture outside? If there is an overhead structure offering a space for mounting, an outdoor-rated light fixture might be just the ticket for dark decks and porches. Battery- and solar-powered pendant lights (we like this one from Mlambert), come in a spectrum of styles, from rustic lanterns to streamlined modern fixtures. Some outdoor pendant lights even have remote controls, so no more worrying about having to get out of your seat during an alfresco dinner party.
amazon.com
In-Floor Lights
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If your deck doesn't have any good overhead spots from which to hang a pendant or sconce, your lighting may have to come up from below. In-floor lights, like these TimberTech LED In-Deck Lights, are mounted into the deck’s surface and are particularly useful on stairs or around the perimeter of the deck.
Though their top function is to increase safety, we can't say we don't love having an after-dinner cocktail enveloped in their soft glow.
RELATED: Solved! What's the Best Decking Material?
Amazon
Overhead Deck Light
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For homeowners with a covered deck or patio, attaching a battery-powered flush-mount light, like this one from Honwell, to the ceiling is an easy way to incorporate a bright light that shines overhead. Some offer remote controls to make it easier to turn on and off, and others offer options for adjusting the brightness and setting timers. If hard-wiring a light is a possibility, there are more outdoor-rated recessed lighting choices to fit in with almost every design aesthetic.
istockphoto.com
Pergola Lighting
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Many homeowners opt for a pergola to provide a seating area and partial shade while relaxing outside. The structure’s posts and its grid of beams and rafters can be used to hang up lights and brighten up the area at night.
There are plenty of outdoor-rated lighting options that can be hung on a pergola, including paper lanterns and these Indoor/Outdoor LED String Lights from Pottery Barn. Lights can be hung from the rafters or even wrapped around the posts.
RELATED: 13 Beautiful Ways to Use a Backyard Pergola
Pottery Barn
Star Lights
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Star lights, like these from ANJAYLIA, add a celebratory ambiance to a dinner party or special gathering. String these lights across a table, ceiling, or umbrella to make it truly a starry night, even if you can’t see any real ones in the sky.
istockphoto.com
Deck Floor Lamps
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If your deck is situated such that there isn't anywhere to hang or mount a light, a floor lamp might be the best way to go. Smart & Green's Tango Outdoor Floor Lamp doubles as a planter and has glowing ambient lighting that can change colors using a smartphone app. Whether your goal is all-white lights or a mix of hues, this battery-powered chameleon can change your outdoor vibe with the click of a button.
RELATED: The 8 Biggest Outdoor Living Trends This Year
Wayfair
Deck Ceiling Fan with Light
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If you live in a climate where it's both muggy and dark after hours, consider killing two birds with one stone by installing a ceiling fan with a light. The Hunter Key Biscayne Ceiling Fan is appropriate for indoor and outdoor use, and has a lantern-style light kit and weathered-finish blades.
Home Depot
Don't Miss!
If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!
norms, methods of lighting, selection of lamps
Terraces or patios are often arranged for a cozy design of the open area of a private house. They allow you to arrange your vacation or evening gatherings with the family, however, the planned activities will stop after dark if there is not enough visibility.
That is why in this article we will consider the lighting of the terrace. In view of the fact that all lighting fixtures will be located on the street, a number of special requirements are imposed on them.
Standards and regulations
When providing outdoor lighting on a terrace, it is important to take into account the effects of moisture from precipitation or temperature changes, dust injection and direct sunlight.
- In accordance with clause 6.3.1 of PUE , outdoor lighting on the terrace can be provided by lamps of any type.
- According to the requirements of p.6.3.40 PUE , if there are 20 or more luminaires per line, it is recommended to provide them with separate circuit breakers or fuses.
- In relation to the ground level in accordance with p.6.3.6 PUE , lighting devices can be installed at any approach to the ground. But if you equip them in niches or pits, then the installation sites must be equipped with drainage.
- If you will install lighting below 2.5 m from the floor, then on the basis of p.6.1.15 PUE , the degree of protection of the luminaire must be at least IP54.
- After installation in accordance with clause 6.6.8 of PUE , lighting equipment must be securely fixed at the attachment points.
- The location of the terrace lighting in accordance with , clause 6.6.1 of PUE is chosen in such a way that it is constantly provided with free access.
- When placing pendant lamps in accordance with clause 6.6.4 of PUE , the suspension height is chosen no more than 1.5 m. If this requirement is not met, install devices to prevent the lighting devices from swinging.
In addition, note that insects at night can be a real punishment on the summer veranda. Therefore, all terrace lighting devices must be located at some distance from sofas, chairs and tables.
Ways of lighting a terrace
All terraces differ both in the way they are made and in their dimensions, which will further determine the methodology and strategy for organizing their lighting.
In general, all methods may differ in style, layout and purpose. You can arrange outdoor veranda lighting in hi-tech, classic, ethno, country, loft, etc. styles. The main thing is that the idea is consistent with the interior design.
In addition, the method of lighting may differ in the location of lighting devices: on the ceiling, in the floor, along the perimeter of the fence or walls. Of course, all of them can perfectly complement each other in the exterior design of a residential building, so you can combine several sources into a single composition. For example, install one central terrace lighting device and decorative step lighting. By purpose, terrace lighting can be divided into basic lighting, decorative or backlighting, then we will consider each of them in more detail.
Base light
Base light is designed to provide sufficient visibility on the terrace. In fact, this is a house adjoining territory, which can have a closed and open type of execution.
If there is a roof or canopy, basic lighting devices can be mounted in the ceiling plane, as this provides good coverage of the space below them.
However, this solution is not always advisable:
- When using a low ceiling, a hanging chandelier will become an obstacle to free movement under it, so it is more convenient to install a diffused spotlight or sconce on the wall.
- When placing a pitched roof directly next to the house for such a terrace, the height difference is taken into account. The luminaire must be installed in the center or closer to the wall of the building, shifted towards the lower point.
- On an outdoor terrace, the basic light can be equipped with garlands mounted on separate supports, floor lamps, or spotlights installed at the railing.
The number and angle of dispersion of lighting devices should be selected depending on the area and design of the veranda.
Decorative lighting
In addition to the general lighting of the terrace, many owners do not lose the opportunity to turn this space into a fabulous corner on their site.
A well-made veranda is already a decoration of a house or garden, but the use of lighting effects will enhance the image at night or create an additional decoration. Most often, decorative lighting is performed with LED strips or spotlights.
Depending on the application, decorative lighting can be made as:
- Decoration of railings or walls - for this, lighting fixtures are mounted on railings, along posts, around windows, doorways. Modern LED backlights allow the use of multi-colored ribbons, duralights, etc.
- Decoration of stair lines with LED strip – in addition to the decorative function, colored LED lighting will also perform a safety function. But at the same time, it is worth observing the severity of the lines, otherwise you can seriously violate the design style.
- Perimeter decoration for open terraces – light strips or spotlights can be arranged along the contour of the building.
- Illumination of the roof or space below it - performed with garlands, ribbons and themed lamps.
- Fireplace lighting - allows you to decorate an active or decorative hearth with garlands, stripes or lamps. This is especially true for the inactive version, as the light in it will create an imitation of fire on the terrace.
Please note that the purpose of decorative lighting is to decorate, and not to create a powerful luminous flux, so the power of the lamps is chosen appropriately, flexible neon is also appropriate here, since it will give little light, but will create an excellent color effect. If you want to ensure visibility, a special backlight is equipped.
Illumination
Unlike the previous version, terrace lighting is also functional.
It not only decorates a certain area, but also makes it visible for any operation:
- Stairs - necessary for safe movement on the stairs, so as not to stumble in the dark.
Steps can be illuminated with spotlights mounted directly on the floor or riser, LED strips on the side edges, and lamps on legs along the stairs. - Porch lighting can perform both basic functions for a small terrace area and act as entrance lighting. With rational illumination of the surrounding space, this type can also be performed by lighting steps.
- Illumination of thematic locations – if decorative elements (statues, fountains, trees, etc.) are used in the arrangement of the terrace, they can also be illuminated to make them stand out at night. For this, LED spotlights, spots and spotlights are used.
- Illumination of functional areas on the terrace - provided by wall lamps or small chandeliers. Which are placed by the reading chair or near the sofa on the closed terrace.
Selection of luminaires
Lighting fixtures of various types and designs can be used to decorate the veranda.
The most common options are:
- wall sconces - used in closed terraces or adjacent to the main building;
- ceiling chandeliers - suitable for terraces under a roof or canopy with enough height not to bang your head against them;
- soffits and spotlights - universal in location, as they can be mounted on the ceiling, on the wall, and on the floor, provide a directional flow of light;
- light strips - perfectly wrap around any terrace structure, so they can be easily glued to anything (ceiling, railings, etc.), can be laid openly and in boxes.
- floor lamps and lanterns on the stem - recommended for installation on open terraces and near them.
- floodlights - characterized by bright directional light, can be installed on the ground, hung on the support console or through a bracket on the facade of the building.
Luminaires location options
Depending on the location of the lighting fixtures, there are five most popular ways: along the perimeter of the terrace, on the wall, on columns, on the ceiling or from the periphery of the yard and its fences. The location of the lamps around the perimeter will provide uniform lighting, especially true for open terraces.
Installation of lighting equipment on the wall is suitable either for closed gazebos or terraces adjacent to the building, especially elongated along the perimeter of the walls. Mounting lamps on poles is relevant in open terraces - on a high leg if there is a fence or on a low one if it is absent. Also, lighting devices can be installed on the fence around the site or supports near it, directing the light of street lamps directly onto the terrace.
Wiring details for terrace
- Depending on the installation location of the patio lights, the cable routing will also differ.
In one case, it will hide under a canopy or come out of the wall of the house, in the other, it will have direct contact with the ground or be in the open air. It should be noted that it is not worth laying the cable in an open way to the terrace, as this will significantly spoil the appearance of the interior style. - Where is located, electrical wiring must be installed in such a way that it cannot be reached by pets or children during play. When arranging a wooden floor, under which the wiring will pass, they are separated by a non-combustible base, for example, a metal pipe or sheet of metal along the entire length of the gasket.
- When laying in the ground, the cable must be at least 0.8 m deep. If you try to save time on digging a full-fledged trench, you run the risk of breaking the cable during the processing of the beds or being left without light due to the natural actions of animals.
Ready -made ideas in the photo
- 9000
Used literature
- V.
Levadny, V. Samoilov "Veranda, porch, terrace" 2008 - A. Zaitseva "Terraces, verandas, grounds. Leisure Design» 2011
- L. Savenko “Pavilions, sheds and terraces. Modern construction and design” 2015
- Ktitorov A.F. "Practical guide for the installation of electric lighting" 1990
- V.M. Zhabtsev "Big book of electrician" 2017
- G.M. Knorring, I.M. Fadin, V.N. Sidorov "Reference book for the design of electric lighting" 2010
- M.Yu.Chernichkin “All about electrics. The Modern Illustrated Encyclopedia 2016
12 beautiful terrace lighting ideas
- Article
- Video
It is almost impossible to imagine a country house without a terrace. This is a favorite place for the whole family in the warm season, because it is so nice to have a festive dinner outdoors, invite guests, play board games or just read an interesting book alone. In order to make the atmosphere of this place truly unique, we suggest you familiarize yourself with tips on how to make beautiful terrace lighting at home and in the country.
The right light on an open veranda depends on many factors: the choice of lamps, ceiling lamps, the successful location of lamps and the presence of moisture protection. We have prepared 12 useful tips for you on how to organize the best terrace lighting:
- Be sure to follow the bright lighting of the stairs at the entrance to the terrace attached to the house. You can install LED strip on railings or even in stairs. A more classic option would be to purchase wall and floor lamps.
- There should be more than one light source on the stairs, as the steps will cast a shadow, making it difficult to perceive the size of each step and may lead to injury. It is best to place the lamps on both sides of the stairs.
- The design and choice of lighting fixtures depends on the style in which you decide to make a terrace. You can draw beautiful photo ideas for inspiration from this small gallery:
- If you have a spacious outbuilding, you can choose a beautiful chandelier for lighting.
For more modest dimensions, wall sconces are suitable, which are appropriate to buy in the amount of two pieces and install on both sides of the front door. - A popular solution for the terrace in 2017 is the installation of spotlights, which can either be an almost invisible source of light or become a bright accent in the interior.
- Outdoor verandas will always be affected by the weather. In order to prevent heavy rain from damaging electrical appliances, it is necessary to take care of their protection.
- It is necessary to organize lighting in such a way that it is completely safe for children and animals. Wires and structural details must be hidden and securely protected. It is for this reason that experts advise using LED lamps for the terrace, as they do not heat up and are safer.
- An equally good idea would be to install an LED strip to illuminate the terrace. Hidden ceiling lighting looks quite attractive and original, as can be seen in the photo:
- The terrace, which is not an extension to a private house, can be illuminated using four floor lamps placed in the corners.
This is especially true if such an open veranda has only a canopy or no roof at all instead of a roof. - Beautiful illumination of plants and interior elements can be obtained thanks to halogen lamps. Such a white sparkling light is suitable if the terrace is decorated in a modern style.
- It is believed that the yellow tint of the lamp at a certain distance is not visible to insects. We cannot be fully responsible for these words and assure you that mosquitoes will be free if you follow this recommendation, but why not try? Moreover, the yellow subdued light is very pleasant for a person and will add coziness to the veranda.
- For a wide variety of occasions, we advise you to purchase a portable LED lamp. Such a light source must be waterproof and remote controlled. An indispensable electrical appliance useful on the terrace in bad weather and for any event.
That's all the ideas on how to properly make the terrace lighting attached to the house.
