The patio can be as cherished an area of the home as the kitchen or the family room. It’s where people go to relax, alone or with friends on warm days. It’s also where people entertain. Sometimes that entertainment happens when the sun goes down, and that means a patio needs to be well-lit, both for safety, for aesthetics and to add a little bit of drama. Here are some ways to properly light a patio.
Layer the Lights
A well-lit patio benefits from layering the lights. This is much like designing an herbaceous border with tall plants in the back and ground covers in the front. A patio can have an overhead web of Edison lightbulbs, tables that hold lamps, floor lamps and low-to-the-ground lighting that illuminates the boundary of the patio or walkways.
Don’t Overdo It
A homeowner may think that they need lots of powerful lights to illuminate their patio at night, but this isn’t true. Eyes automatically dilate when a person steps from a lighted area into a dark one and extremely bright outdoor lights can be not only painful but, ironically, make it harder for a person to see where they are. One good solution would be to string lights above the patio in a zigzag pattern. Another is to hang pendant lamps with paper shades from overhanging tree branches. This allows light to softly fall all over the area.
Add Lights for Safety
Adding lights for safety is a must for night entertaining, but safety lights don’t need to be unattractive or detract from the general ambiance. Uplights near trees, walls or other features that can be bumped into or tripped over not only keep people safe but are pleasing in their own right. Deck lights allow people to see the edge of the patio and can also light spigots, electrical outlets and other needful components. Bollard or mushroom lights placed along a path that leads to the patio are not only safety features but attractive.
Add Floor and Table Lighting
Overhead string lights aren’t an option for some homeowners, but they can set up floor lamps or even table lamps around the patio to provide light. Indeed, small table lamps with beaded shades can be romantic, as are pillar candles inside hurricane lamps or collections of little votive candles. Beautiful, chargeable floor lamps are available and can light a space for hours without needing an electrical outlet.
Don’t Forget the Rest of the Yard
A homeowner shouldn’t forget the landscaping beyond the patio. Wall sconces can light up a wall, while a floodlight reveals a part of the garden that the owner is particularly proud of. If there’s going to be outdoor grilling, the owner should invest in a barbecue light that can be attached to the grill and has a bendable neck. Step lights should be added in areas where there are steps, a change in the grade or even a change of material. One example would be the change from grass to a cobblestone pavement.