As days get shorter, it’s more important to have good patio lighting if you want to stay outside longer and enjoy the crisp, cool fall evenings. If your patio is set up with space heaters and is covered then now is the time to look at lighting up the space. Here’s some great lighting ideas for your patio so that you can enjoy it well into the fall.
String Lights
If you’re thinking Christmas tree lights then you would be on the right path. This lighting option has so many varieties that you’re likely to find one to suit your exact style and almost all options are going to be within your budget. While some string lighting comes in festive colours, there’s often ones that just have white lights and don’t appear nearly as festive so they can be used in just about any environment. They are easy to change out, so if you did want to put up ones specifically for the holidays it’s a quick fix plus they’re temporary – meaning if you wanted to install something more permanent down the road they’re simple to take down.
Light Ribbons
Along the same lines as string lighting, light ribbons are used mostly in the landscaping world. They are made of flexible clear tubing with LED lights inside the tube. They can be tucked into groves in between patio stones and grass or around pieces of your patio architecture. What’s neat about these is they can – literally – light the path around your patio or to your patio. This is a great option if your seating area is a little way from the door and you want to make sure no on trips or slips off the walk way. This option is also fairly budget friendly and easy to do yourself.
Path Lights
These are small lanterns that – usually on a stake – that go along your pathway to/from your patio seating area. They are especially helpful for hosting larger parties and are quite easy to install yourself. Path lights range in price, depending on the quality and quantity you need. What’s really great about most path lights is they have tiny solar panels on the top plus use LED lights so you don’t have to worry about batteries or long electrical wires to make them work. The downside is you might need quite a few depending on the length of your pathway because they should be close enough together to ensure enough light is given.
Stair Lighting
If you have stairs leading up to your patio or deck then this is likely a concern for you, in addition to lighting the seating area of your outdoor space. There’s a lot of different options for lighting up stairs: you can install a lamp or overhead accent lights to ensure safety. Another option might be to put under stair lighting where lights – similar to rope lighting – are installed underneath each stair to light the one beneath them. Often times with this option the light itself is not even visible and you’ll only be able to see the illuminated part. This is especially helpful for lighting up the treat area of the stairs so people will know where to place their feet.
No matter which type of lighting you prefer, there’s almost endless options and you’re likely to find one to match your budget. With outdoor lighting, you can use your patio to enjoy those cool fall evenings with friends and family.
