Patios are a great place to entertain guests or simply relax with your family.

A bit of patio lighting can make your space viable for any time of day.

With many different options available for lighting, ranging from deck lighting, step lighting, fountain lighting, moon lighting, silhouette, and shadow lighting, you can transform your living space from an ordinary patio into something with ambiance and atmosphere.

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Planning your patio lighting is key to the success of the overall look and functionality as well as to you keeping to a budget. If you buy a set of patio string lights one week, a few tiki torches the next and then decide a month later that you want some deck lighting, the chances are that you will spend more than you need and end up with a disjointed look. So grab a pen and paper and let’s come up with some realistic patio lighting ideas. Start by sketching your patio and surrounding garden and use the following information to jot down the exact lighting that you need to buy.

Number of lights

The number of lights you need will depend on a number of criteria.

First you need to decide what outdoor events your patio will play host to. Do you have large outdoor parties, barbecues with neighbors, or just romantic meals with your other half? Each event will require different lighting, so note them all down to ensure they are covered in your overall plan.

The size of your patio will play an important part in the number of lights that you need. Get out your tape measure and take down the length and width. This will ensure your string lights are going to reach from end to end for example.

Finally you need to ensure that you adequately light any potential hazards. Where would lights help to make your patio and garden safer and more secure?

Brightness

Patio lights don’t need to be very bright. The key to patio lighting is to provide just enough light to move around outside without spoiling the experience of being outside. Most low energy patio lights provide just the right amount of low illumination. While brighter lights exist, they’re only necessary in certain situations.

Function

Outdoor patio lights can be separated into three groups.

General Lighting

The first and least relevant for patio lights is general lighting, which provides broad spectrum cover over the entire area. Lighting of this type is neither atmospheric nor pleasant to spend time in and is not recommended for your patio.

Task Lighting

When considering your patio light needs, identify the areas of the patio that require localized or task lighting first. These may include a barbecue area, or any locale where cooking or food preparation occurs.

This kind of lighting must be bright enough to see by but not so bright that it illuminates the entire patio, spoiling the ambiance and limiting your enjoyment of the space.

The type of lights used for patio task lighting are generally of the downlighter variety, or patio umbrella lights, which keep light in a narrow path. They also include small lights, such as exterior candles.

Task lighting also includes lighting paths, walkways, or other areas that may present a tripping hazard. Deck lighting can be a great tool for highlighting or spotlighting changes in height, drop-offs, or deck-edges. By doing this, you create a dramatic effect as well as a safer deck. Step lighting allows you and your guests to find your way up the steps and through the yard in safety. Step lighting can be placed beneath railings, on vertical posts, or recessed into the steps.

In general, patio lighting should be sparingly utilized in functional areas because it’s likely that the patio is being used to sit and appreciate the evening rather than squint in the glare of light. Patio string lights are a good way to illuminate a large area and they provide just the right amount of ambient light.

Accent Lighting

Once the task lighting needs have been ascertained, areas that require particular display should be established and illuminated with accent lighting. Creating accent lighting gives you the opportunity to express yourself. With a large variety of lights from which to choose, accent lights typically highlight a particular feature.

Subjects of accent lighting could be a statue or sculpture, a planting bed with topiary trees, or a fountain that causes the light to contrast with the moving water. Accent lighting, unlike task lighting, tends to throw light upwards at the subject matter, thereby creating shadows that highlight the look of the object.

Various forms of accent lighting include moonlighting, shadowing and silhouetting. To create moonlighting, place light fixtures up a tree and shine them downward. The light will filter through the tree branches, causing an effect like the moon shining down.

Another technique designed to highlight interesting shapes is shadowing. By placing a light fixture in front of the item that you want to shadow and aiming it so that the item will cast its shadow, you can showcase items that you may have in your garden, including branches or sculptures.

Silhouetting is another form of patio lighting that underscores an object’s shape. To create a silhouette effect, place a light behind the subject and shine it upward against a vertical surface, such as a wall.

Style

The style or look of patio lighting that you choose is generally going to come down to personal preference. Just make sure you try and tie the various different lights together in some way, whether that is by having them all the same color, or all made from the same material.

If you fancy some of the more interesting styles of specialty lighting, such as fairy lights, Japanese lanterns or Tiki torches, use them sparingly so as not to overwhelm the atmosphere and mood of the patio.

Power source

The final consideration you have to deal with is the how your lights are going to be powered. Your basic choices are solar, battery and electrical options. Each has its own pros and cons in terms of initial cost, ongoing costs and ease of installation so bear this in mind before you buy.

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Patio lighting can create wonderful effects and make your nighttime patio experience more enjoyable. Lighting is useful for accentuating the best parts of your garden and patio. And, just as importantly, patio lighting makes your patio and yard a safer place at night. When deciding which type of lighting to use in your home, determine which particular elements you want to spotlight and think about what looks best as a silhouette or shadow. Finally, consider which areas of your patio could become a hazard if a person cannot see them. With a detailed plan in hand, before you start shopping, you cannot go wrong!