However, leaving your patio lighting ideas outside during harsh winters will shorten their lifespan. Yes, you can leave patio lights out in winter so long as they have been rated suitable for outdoor use. These can be used in the garden for all your patio lighting ideas. However, if your bulbs are to be used outside, ensure that they are listed for Wet Locations. Bulbs listed for use in a Damp Location can be used in a sheltered patio, such as one that is attached to the house. UL Listed bulbs will also provide guidance on where the bulb can safely be used. It must be UL Listed not UL Certified as Certified bulbs have not been tested for use outside. Look for bulbs that have been classified as UL Listed. All outdoor lightbulbs will have a UL Rating. Yes, you do need a special bulb for an outdoor light. Do I need a special bulb for an outdoor light? Any path to a patio should also be lit so the way to the area is clearly apparent. This should be able to be operated separately, though, so you can turn it off once cooking is done for a more relaxing mood.įor patios with seating areas, floor and table lamps are worthwhile additions to a lighting scheme, casting intimate pools of light over those seated.ĭon’t forget that accent lighting that puts the focus on chosen features can double as a safety feature, highlighting the edge of the patio or steps, for instance. If you’re grilling as well as dining on the patio, don’t forget that you will need bright enough light for safe working – in other words, task lighting. Just make sure to look for up and down lights to avoid glare. You could complement these with wall lights on some patios. This could be from an outdoor pendant light or string lights, for example, and will create overall light for the patio that’s soft and atmospheric. To light an outdoor patio, think first about the ambient or background lighting for the space. If you are fitting electric lighting or outside outlets, always follow building codes and regulations and call in a qualified contractor. For a festive feeling, outdoor string lights are hard to beat and can be solar or battery-powered, which makes them easy to fit and avoids any trailing cable worries.īut for regularly used patios, fitted lighting is the most convenient, and can combine pendant and wall lights as background lighting, along with other patio lighting ideas such as exterior floor and table lamps, plus accent lighting to highlight plants and architectural features. This will, of course, be best incorporated at the same time as you are planning and designing a patio, although can be less neatly retro-fitted. The best lights for outdoor patio are those that suit the way in which it’s used, and which complement its style. What are the best lights for an outdoor patio? If your patio is part of a modern yard design with the emphasis on hardscaping with materials such as stone, concrete and metal, along with architectural planting, your patio lighting ideas need to be contemporary, too.Įcho the geometric lines of the yard design in the shape of wall lights, and repeat the colors of a modern materials palette as well for a pulled-together effect. Incorporate patio lighting ideas into your outdoor ceiling fan If you are lighting down from higher up above, you may be able to light a small flight of steps with a single downlighter.' 11. If the lights are higher up, (300-400mm) above the steps, one light for every two to three steps is usually sufficient. ‘Putting artistic considerations to one side, the quantity of lights you need is mainly determined by the height of the lights above the steps,’ explains Philip Milner, technical manager at Lighting For Gardens. 'If the lights are only a few centimetres above the treads you will need one for every step, or two if you want to light from both sides. After all, you want enough light to see where you’re walking, but not so many that they detract from your patio. When lighting steps, another consideration is the quantity of lights you need. Alternatives include strip lights that are recessed into the overhang of each step, illuminating the step below, or spot lights that are installed into each step's riser, providing a similar method of illumination. The preferred option, where possible, is to set lights into the walls either side of the steps, however, this is not always possible. There are several options for adding patio lighting to steps. For example if your patio has steps or different levels, then illuminating them is a must. As well as looking for patio lighting ideas that help to set the tone of the space, also think about practical patio lighting ideas.
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