Lighting Options for Your Patio This Summer

Last week in How to Create the Perfect Patio I talked about the importance of the setup of your patio and a few key points, so this week I will be continuing our outdoor series by going into more detail on jazzing up your patio with lighting accessories.

As you are customizing your patio to fit your family’s lifestyle, you shouldn’t forget the significance the of lighting you use to light your patio so you can use the space around the clock. Strategically place your lights around to set the vibe that you want for when the sun starts going down.

String Lights

Outdoor stringed lights are commonly used to light up a dance area at parties, but in this case they can add a unique look to your patio.

Whether you want to wrap them around a railing or a tree, line them around the bottom of the patio surface or drape them from your gazebo above your wrought iron patio furniture, these lights will give your patio a vintage feel.

Lanterns

Choose “live” lanterns with flames that will both heat up and light up the night. Similar to the string lights, you can use what is around the patio to hang lanterns.

As they provide light and heat, they will also act as a bug repellent. You can use multiple smaller lanterns and strategically place them around the patio, next to your patio table and chairs, possibly as a guide up a walkway, or use one larger one as a center piece on a table.

As an alternative, if you still want the original lantern look but don’t want a patio heater, then check out [LED lanterns like this mason jar lantern](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Gemmy-Outdoor-Decorative-Lantern/50106610), and the same goes for candles. You can use a couple candles as accent lights and have the choice of using an LED candle.

Landscape Lighting

This helps make sure that your hard work isn’t overlooked. If you have been following along with our outdoor series, then perhaps you’ve possibly used one of the 4 Landscaping Ideas that I suggested.

Scattering path lights along your walkway and throughout your landscaping, like stringing lights in trees, is the best way to show off what you’ve been working on!

Fire Pits

As mentioned in my last post about creating the perfect patio, fire pits are great to sit by under the stars on a chilly night during any season and can serve as good lighting as well. You can pick out some comfy cushions for outdoor furniture or put a few Adirondack chairs around it and start roasting marshmallows.

If you still don’t have a fire pit, but you want one, then you can find a nice fire pit patio set at your local home improvement store that includes everything you need to be next to a warm, crackling fire at your next get together. Just be safe with your fire pit!

Hopefully by now you have some great ideas on how to spice up your patio. If you're looking for more ways to add flair to your home and make it reflect your personality, get more style and design inspiration from our interior design gallery of kitchens, living rooms and more.