Illuminate Your Outdoor Space

Your deck is finally finished and now it’s time to put it in use. However, you don’t want to only be able to relax on your deck during the day; you’ll want to use it at night, too! This is where deck lighting comes into play. Lighting up your deck can really take the space to the next level. Keep reading to find out more about some popular deck lighting options!

Functional Deck Lighting
The following functional deck lighting options are ones that are built right into the deck itself and require more time for installation.

Stair Lights
One of the most popular spots to place lights on a deck is on the stairs. Placed subtly on the vertical part of the steps themselves, stair lights provide a sufficient, gentle glow to your deck and won’t shine in your eyes. They also make the steps much safer and easier to see at nighttime. Even better, stair lights are compact, easy to install, and won’t break the bank.

Post Cap Lights
Post Cap lights are situated on top of a deck’s railing posts, casting light in all directions. They are one of the brightest deck lighting options and are great for those who want their deck to be illuminated all around. However, some post cap lights are right at sitting eye-level, so they may shine in your eyes.

Side Mount Post Lights
Side mount post lights are very popular because of their placement on the side of railing posts; low enough to avoid shining in your eyes, but high enough to give the deck a warm, ambient glow. They mostly shine light on the floor, though, so if you’re someone who will be doing a lot of nighttime reading or writing on the deck, they may not be the best choice in terms of lighting.

Decorative Deck Lighting Options
If you’re looking for decorative lights that aren’t built into the deck, keep reading! Here are some low-cost lighting options that aren’t permanent or built-in.

String Lights
String lights are some of the most common, versatile lights to add to a deck. They can be placed in a variety of places, such as in an umbrella, on the railing and posts, across a pergola, or even in surrounding bushes or trees. String lights come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so the options are endless in terms of customization and lighting up your deck.

Lanterns
Another great, decorative deck lighting option is lanterns. They are quick, inexpensive, and allow for more control when it comes to the amount of light given off. Add as little or as many lanterns as you’d like depending on how much light you want your deck to have. Whether they use solar-powered bulbs, battery-operated bulbs, or even candles, lanterns are portable and can be placed wherever your deck needs light the most.

Solar Lights
Solar lights come in a variety of different forms, from decorative lanterns to spotlights. They’re popular among deck owners because they are easy to install and don’t require any wiring or central power source. They’re also energy efficient and environmentally-friendly, making them a great choice for those who want to keep it green. However, a drawback to solar lights is the quality and strength of the light they give off.

The Light of a Fire
There isn’t much that compares to the soft crackle and familiar aroma of a fire. While it may not be ideal to build a bonfire on a wooden deck, there are many different deck lighting options that involve fire. Tiki torches, tabletop fire pits, and candles are just a few flame-centered possibilities for brightening up your deck.

Have questions about deck lighting options? Looking to get some lighting installed in your deck? Don’t hesitate to give us a call!