May 14 2010
Outdoor Patio Lighting
Patios are home to summer barbecues, fire pits in the winter and long talks with friends and family. It is only natural that outdoor patio lighting be a major consideration during the planning and design of a home. If the time has been taken to design and install a patio then time needs to be taken to properly plan the lighting to maximize the use of the patio.
Patio lighting is used to create an inviting atmosphere, one that makes people want to utilize it. It is much more than lighting the area up with spotlights for safety, although safety and security are another reason to have outdoor patio lighting. These two contrasting reasons are part of why a good outdoor patio lighting plan is important.
The security and safety aspect of patio lighting can be managed through the use of motion detector lighting that is only powered on when the patio is not being used for social purposes. This allows the patio to have ambience lighting installed that is not interfered with by glaring motion detector lights while at the same time allowing the patio to come to life should an intruder appear when the patio is not in use.
Outdoor pool and deck lighting
Ambience lighting is necessary for the patio. There are many options for adding this type of lighting and all should be considered before making the final decision. Embedded lighting has become a popular choice for patio lighting. This type of lighting is embedded in the steps, flooring or even the furniture on the patio. The effect is a soft, subtle light that provides safety lighting and just enough to create atmosphere.
Patio furniture can also be a place where lighting is placed. There are tabletop lights that can be removed when not in use and also lighting that is designed to attach to the undersides of tables to provide more lighting for dining.
Rope lighting and lanterns are other options for patio lighting that can help create a softer mood than bright spotlights. Rope lighting can be purchased in different colors and often shapes. These ropes can then be installed in shrubs or bushes around the patio or attached to the patio ledges if there are ledges. Lanterns can be hung on shepherd’s hooks around the patio to provide lighting for all areas of the patio without being overpowering.
Finally, there is almost always one or more wall lights installed during the planning of outdoor patio lighting. These work in conjunction with motion detector lighting to provide security. The homeowner can cast a bright light over the patio with the flip of a switch and get a better view of the surroundings should the need arise.
Outdoor patio lighting is just one example of how lighting has both form and function traits. Summer soirees benefit from soft lighting and the homeowner benefits from the secure feeling of knowing intruders are going to be ‘blinded by the light’ should they approach the patio in the dark of night.
-Sharon Chapman
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