Gone are the days or the bug-attracting back porch light and cheesy tiki torches for patio lighting.
Today’s outdoor, backyard oasis lighting is high-tech, cool to the touch, and comes in a variety of styles and options. But no one’s judging you if you like tiki torches!
Outdoor Patio Lighting in 2021
As we noted already, there are several options and approaches to outdoor lighting. With that in mind, we pulled together a few outdoor lighting tips from a few lighting experts to provide some context:
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- The trick to getting a well-lit outdoor patio is directing the light just where you need it. When it comes to ambient lighting, overhead lighting is a great option, be it outdoor pendants or even string lights. (Lumens.com)
- Grapevine balls, white lights, twine, and a branch turn into an easy-to-make, rustic chandelier you can hang from a porch or patio. (CountryLiving.com)
- You can easily create a whimsical aura above your patio by simply hanging string lights above. Go as sparse or as dense as you want, depending on how much light you want or need. (TheMalibuLife.com)
- To make a backyard sitting area feel like an outdoor living room, opt for traditional indoor lighting, like a floor lamp but in a more resilient and nature-inspired material. (HouseBeautiful.com)
- Pairing simple string lights with illuminated jars makes for a breathtaking display. (CountryLiving.com)
And, since we did poke a little fun at the venerable tiki torch, here’s a nod to that still popular lighting option.
Not surprisingly, the tiki torch came about in California, according to an entry at Wikipedia,
“Tiki culture originated in the 1930s in California, at Polynesian-themed bars and restaurants like Don’s Beachcomber in Los Angeles, which featured flaming torches fueled by propane gas as part of its decor. Torches, both gas, and electric, became one of the hallmarks of the “tiki bars” that opened across the country in the following decades, and of the tiki culture that grew out of them.
In the 1950s, a company in Wisconsin began producing aluminum torches for consumer use, obtaining a trademark for the ‘Tiki Torch’ name.”
And, best of all, they are not only still a popular outdoor patio lighting option, but they’ve evolved!
A post at BobVila.com notes that,
“Tiki torches are available in the classic bamboo style or in the more sophisticated glass and metal models. Most of them use a small canister and a wick to burn oil, giving the torch its characteristic open flame, although some newer models use an LED light powered by a solar cell to create a faux flame.”
7 Great Outdoor Patio Lighting Options
Patios come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes. The outdoor patio lighting options are often dictated by the patios themselves.
For example, patios with overhangs, pergolas, or canopies can facilitate lighting fixtures that cannot be used with an uncovered, open-air patio. Also, the proximity of trees, fences, walls, or other hardscape elements can contribute to your lighting options
With that in mind, here’s a list of seven great outdoor patio lighting ideas to dazzle your friends and enliven your outdoor evenings at home.
1. Outdoor Pendant Lights
These work well with pergola and large overhangs provided there is a sufficient power source nearby. The styles and varieties are vast, and the effect is both elegant and sublime.
2. Indoor-Style Floor Lamps
The trick here is to find lamps that can weather the outdoors. The effect is both warm and inviting, while unique and unexpected.
3. Outdoor Table Lamps
Similar to using floor lamps, these table lamps resemble what you would expect to see on a side table in a sitting room but are made for the outdoors. Again, inviting and unique!
4. Free Standing Lanterns
Stand-alone lanterns are a great way to illuminate a large outdoor space and are easy to move around. They can be located in corners or randomly to give off a warm light while entertaining on your patio.
5. String Lights
Did someone say festive? String lights are not only great for bringing down large amounts of light from overhead but are incredibly versatile – they can be strung in trees, on fences, in shrubbery, over patios, across entire backyard areas, and more!
6. Ball Lanterns
These can be purchased or, better yet, handmade. Almost any translucent or open-weave material can be used to create balls (or other shapes) and then filled with LED lights, preferably warm colors. These creations can be suspended, left on top of walls, tables, or fences, and arranged in a string.
7. Recessed Floor Lighting
Although primarily designed to line walkways and pools, or illuminate walls or plants, these LED wonders can be artfully and strategically mounted in and around a patio area to subtly light up your outdoor space.
Get Professional Help for Your Outdoor Patio Lighting Project
Properly installed outdoor patio lighting can last for years with little upkeep or maintenance, especially with the newest generation of LED lighting products. And, whether you install it yourself, or call on a professional like Northview Landscaping, adding outdoor patio lighting elements to your backyard can be a great way to improve the nighttime ambiance of your outdoor space – and add value.
Feel free to contact us for all your lighting, planting, and hardscaping needs. At Northview Landscaping we understand that creating the best look for your outdoor space is important to you and we’re here to answer any questions you might have about getting started on your landscape design.
If you have questions, or you’d like to schedule a consultation about your patio, garden, or landscaping project, contact the professional landscape designers and plant installers at Northview Landscaping today.
