As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to think about spending more time outside. Whether you love to entertain family and friends on the patio, or you just enjoy spending time outdoors to relax alone, it’s important to have the right lighting to help you maximize this important part of your home. Even if you don’t currently have any type of lighting outside, we’ve compiled a list of 10 fantastic, stylish outdoor lighting ideas that will inspire you and give your patio, deck, or porch area a fabulous lighting transformation. Check out these tips to give you some inspiration. With the right lighting, it’s easy to makeover your patio and turn it into a perfect place to spend time when the sun goes down.
1. Install Sconce Lighting for Sophistication
An outdoor wall sconce adds a warm glow to your porch or patio. You can also install smaller sconce lights along steps to illuminate your path when walking up and down the stairs at night. This outdoor lighting makes any area look more modern and welcoming. Try a pair of matching sconce lights on either side of a gate to welcome guests in modern style. You can also install an outdoor wall sconce on the back of your home to brighten up a covered porch. Look for stunning sconces from Hinkley Lighting that feature contemporary finishes, shapes, and materials. An outdoor sconce light is a simple, elegant way to highlight specific items or to create a soft ambient light for a small patio area.
2. Dress Up the Patio with Lanterns
When it comes to versatile outdoor lighting ideas, consider bringing a few lanterns into the mix. An outdoor lantern can be hardwired to a wall, or you can choose portable options that make it easy to move the light around however you see fit. Try an outdoor lantern with a fun design featuring clear glass shades or a unique cutout motif. Solar-powered lighting will prevent you from having to constantly change the batteries. If you want to add visual interest, group several outdoor lanterns together that are featured in various sizes and styles. These lights are also a great centerpiece for your outdoor dining table or near a comfortable conversation area.
3. Bring the Inside Outdoors
It’s easy to recreate the same lighting outside with a few easy outdoor lighting ideas. Install a beautiful outdoor chandelier that hangs from the roof of your porch or patio cover and place a dining table underneath for a beautiful outdoor dining space. An outdoor pendant is another beautiful choice, and both of these lighting styles come in a myriad of stylish designs that mimic the same styles you’d find indoors. Troy Lighting specializes in designing stunning fixtures for your outdoor space. Their range of pendants and chandeliers features durable materials, classic silhouettes, and gorgeous finishes that add a seamless and elegant component to any outdoor area.
4. Outdoor Lighting Ideas for the Garden
If you have a gorgeous garden that you’re proud of, highlight it with some beautiful outdoor lighting. Try lights that you can insert into the ground to create a sparkling, glowing border around your garden area. Try lights that are energy-efficient, easy to use, and will add instant brightness to your yard and landscaping. Look for an outdoor spotlight you can use to point direct light at your favorite plants or flowers. This type of lighting is also a beautiful way to illuminate a walkway, sidewalk, or pathway. You’ll find that Meadow Blu lights come in a range of styles like sleek and modern, traditional, and simple depending on your needs.
5. Try an Outdoor Floor Lamp
You probably think of task lighting as something that’s only used indoors, but this type of lighting works great in outdoor settings, too. A durable weather-resistant outdoor floor lamp is a perfect companion to sit beside a comfortable patio chair or chaise lounge. Make sure the outdoor floor lamp you choose features an all-weather shade made of weatherproof fabric so that it can withstand the elements. The base of your outdoor floor lamp should be crafted of material like aluminum, concrete, iron, or teak wood. Gabby Furniture makes some stunning outdoor lighting solutions that turn convention on its head to give you the best of both worlds when you’re enjoying outdoor living. With this type of floor lamp, you can curl up and enjoy a good book outside, even after the sun goes down.
6. Make the Party Fun with String Lights
String lights are an easy and effective way to bring warm lighting to any outdoor space. You can find these lights in an array of styles like industrial-inspired Edison lights, classic round glass globes, and simple tiny fairy light designs. Hang a string or two of this outdoor hanging light design underneath a patio umbrella for instant impact. You can also hang them underneath a few tree branches to give your backyard an ethereal, magical effect. If you don’t have trees or an umbrella, you can hang string lights from a few posts or poles. Simply attach a small section of the wire to the top of each pole and let the lights drape down to give your patio a gorgeous, festive glow that your guests will love. If you have a deck, wrap the string lights around the railing for a gorgeous illuminating glow.
7. Enliven Your Porch with a Ceiling Light
A covered porch or enclosed patio is a great place to entertain, enjoy meals, and sit in the shade. Extend your time outdoors with beautiful flush mount lighting, so you can keep the party going. This lighting is similar to the type you see indoors, but it’s specially rated to handle the rigors of being exposed to outside weather. Install outdoor ceiling lights to give your dining area extra illumination, so you can sit and chat when the sun goes down. This lighting is also convenient for an enclosed or covered entryway to provide extra light for guests and visitors as they come and go. Try something in a trendy, industrial-inspired design with a black metal shade. Lighting by BLU makes an eclectic collection of outdoor ceiling lights boasting bold finishes and on-trend designs that will enhance your porch or patio with ease and style.
8. Design a Cozy Relaxing Space with Lamps
If you enjoy curling up with a good book after dusk, try outdoor lamps that you can add to an end or side table. These lamps are very similar in style to indoor table lamps, but their rugged design makes them ideal for any type of weather. Choose classic designs that mimic a table lamp you’d see inside your living space or next to your bedside. Sleek, modern designs add visual interest outdoors along with a fabulous glow for reading, chatting, and just enjoying more time outside in the cool, crisp nighttime air. Look for outdoor lamps with a handle on the top so you can easily move them around and carry them anywhere you choose. Try something crafted of a durable iron in a gorgeous metallic finish and a frosted glass shade for versatile style.
9. Create an Island Oasis with Woven Hanging Lights
Your patio area should be a calming escape from the stress of everyday life. If you’re looking to design a tropical island-style patio, look for an outdoor hanging light with a woven shade. These lights will carry the same design of your furniture and decor throughout the patio with a woven design and neutral colorways. An outdoor hanging light with a basket weave pattern brings warmth and coziness to your patio area. Many designs are made of a durable resin that resembles wicker or rattan, but they are safe to use with light bulbs to avoid a fire. You can also find hanging lights in other designs featuring metal or glass shades, too. Whatever style you pick out, it’s an easy way to meld it with your furniture to create a seamless, cohesive space that brings you additional functionality. Elevate an outdoor lantern or lamp with a charming tropical print shade to round out the look.
10. Know Your Lighting Styles
As you consider these outdoor lighting ideas, think about each type of light and how it will serve you best. Ambient lighting like string lights and outdoor lanterns will create a warm glow that gives your patio or poolside a cheerful, party-like atmosphere. Task lighting like outdoor floor lamps and table lamps are perfect for times when you want to sit down and read a book or chat with your friends at sundown. Use accent lighting to highlight things in your garden or to bring attention to your home’s beautiful architectural features. This lighting typically shines a bright spotlight on specific areas, so you’ll need to install several if you want a good effect. As you browse through the selection of outdoor lighting at Meadow Blu, you’ll find incredible designs and exceptional brands that will help you create the ultimate patio space that will be cherished for years to come.