Lighting an Outdoor Room with Style

As fall approaches and outdoor temperatures cool down, people will be using their outdoor living spaces more comfortably and more often. With just a few affordable updates, you can create an at-home outdoor entertaining space that you and your guests will love!  

First, decide where you would like to relax or entertain. For some, this might be on a covered front porch and for others, it might be a backyard patio, screened-in porch, or raised deck. Whatever the configuration of your home’s footprint, creating an outdoor space to unwind and connect with nature is becoming a necessary respite from our stressed-out world.

While many people opt to keep the design continuity of their outdoor living space aligned with architectural look of their home, others enjoy breaking away from the expected and establishing a separate ambiance for their get-away spot such as tropical tiki theme, Mediterranean vibe, beach party feel, Boho sanctuary, or rustic lodge appeal.

Here are some tips for lighting an outdoor room:

For the Covered Porch

Wooden rocking chairs, a wide porch swing, and white wicker furniture are classic looks, but today’s range of outdoor furniture has expanded to include weather-resistant materials in familiar shapes such as Adirondack chairs, woven bamboo chairs, bold colors, and more contemporary silhouettes.

Extend the usability of your porch in nighttime hours by increasing the illumination with recessed lighting, ceiling fans with light kits, or damp-rated chandeliers and wall sconces. If you have an outdoor-rated electrical outlet on the porch, there are outdoor table lamps that are just as decorative as indoor versions. In addition, there are battery-operated, portable lanterns with integrated Bluetooth speakers available for spaces without accessible electrical power.

On the Patio

If the patio area feels too “exposed,” surround it in greenery with potted plants or artificial ones. There are now weather-proof, decorative screens that are easy to move into whatever configuration you want for full or partial privacy.

Establish an attractive border for the patio by using tall or raised planters along the edges; install a pergola, large fabric gazebo, or awning overhead; or utilize an adjacent vertical exterior wall to make a “living wall” or trellis of foliage.  

Water features such as tabletop or ground-based fountains will provide soothing sounds of nature and promote relaxation. For those chillier evenings, tabletop or ground-based firepits and free-standing chimineas not only offer warmth, but ambiance.

Overhead string lights in lightbulb shapes or paper lanterns will bring an outdoor café vibe to your space. If the patio has electrical access, there are decorative floor and table lamps designed for outdoor use. Or invest in a few portable battery-operated lanterns to softly illuminate the area. To recreate the feel of an outdoor living room, weatherproof accent rugs help anchor the setting, especially beneath a dining table and in front of a casual seating area.

On the Deck

Raised decks present the opportunity to have integrated lighting incorporated into the steps and railing. Not only does the additional, slim-profile lighting provide safety for people navigating stairs, steps or platforms, but it adds atmosphere.

As with the patio setting, if there are electrical outlets on the exterior wall, you can use outdoor-rated table or floor lamps. Otherwise, portable lanterns are a good option. The back door/deck area most likely already has an outdoor light installed. Replacing an existing builder-grade light with a fresher, more modern and more decorative version will bring a fashionable design element to your outdoor living space.

Outdoor Dining

If you have a ceiling or structure (like a pergola) over your outdoor dining area, you can upgrade the aesthetic by installing an outdoor-rated chandelier or pendant that looks as attractive as indoor lighting fixtures. There are also ceiling fans with light kits that offer illumination and comfort to the dining experience on hot days without a breeze. 

Whether you have a patio, deck, or porch, LightsOnline.com has a wide variety of lighting and home décor products to create a personalized outdoor oasis for your home easily and affordably.

Read more from Linda Longo:

• How to Improve Your Front Entrance
• Company’s Coming! Is Your Backyard Lighting Ready?
• Best Lighting for Outdoor Entertaining
• 6 Simple Ways to Use Landscape Lighting