With the days getting a bit shorter, spicing up your deck lighting can keep your evening gatherings well-lit and safe.
Deck lighting is all about ambiance. Who doesn’t enjoy basking in a warm glow while chatting with old friends well into the night? Even if you don’t have a fire pit, your lights can be a great substitute to create the type of cozy, inviting environment you strive for in an outdoor gathering space. If you’re unsure how to upgrade your deck’s lighting, consider brightening up a few of these areas.
String Lights
If your deck is already pretty well-lit in general but lacks the ambiance you want, string lights are excellent accents. They don’t provide much in terms of illumination, but they add some sparkle to your gatherings. You can easily wrap them around posts and rails or install small hooks to drape them from. Some brands give you the ability to change the color to customize them for your preferences or the holidays.
Step and Rail Lighting
Without proper lighting, steps are missed more easily, and rails are more challenging to grab when you trip. Even if you have overhead lighting, the steps are likely to cast in shadow. To prevent accidents and give your deck a fancier appearance, add rail and step lighting. These are generally LED strips placed under stair lips and rails to illuminate without a harsh glare from exposed light bulbs. You can even have permanent lighting installed under the steps and under the deck itself to make sure all walking areas are lit. To save energy, get step and rail lights that are motion-activated to use only energy when needed.
Lanterns and Torches
If there’s a specific corner that needs a little light or looking for some nice accents, lanterns are a great option. They can be moved wherever you need them and are usually battery-powered, so you don’t even need to plug them in. Torches are also a great way to brighten up your deck or the surrounding area, and they have the added benefit of being able to repel mosquitoes
Post Lights
If you have a large deck, odds are a light attached to your house won’t reach the opposite side of the deck well. Post lights that are hardwired into the support posts of your deck help solve this problem. They run on standard bulbs, making them easy to replace when necessary. They are quite durable and weatherproof, so they are sure to last you for a long time.
Spotlights
These are great to light up the most-used areas of your deck. While a seating area may not need much light, cooking and patio tables are essential spaces to keep well-lit. You can use spotlights for illumination so that everyone is safe and comfortable while eating dinner.
LED lights will provide the most extended lifespan (most LED strips will last for 20,000-50,000 hours!) for the least amount of money overall. Solar can be a good option if your deck gets good sunlight throughout the day, but it’s not as reliable if the day was cloudy or rainy and it didn’t have a chance to charge.
No matter which type of home renovation you are considering, hiring the right electrician to create the perfect lighting is key. Promise Electric provides a team of master electricians that offer residential and commercial electrical services to the greater Sarasota area.
