Using Deck Post Lighting and Other Techniques to Light Your Deck and Patio

Is the night is calling you? You can have a nice al fresco dinner or lie on a lounge chair on your backyard under the stars. Unfortunately, the stars don’t provide enough illumination for those relaxing outdoor activities. The key is to add lighting that provides a nice glow over your deck.

Though most homes have the requisite backdoor porch light, that doesn’t really set the mood for a nice relaxing evening on your deck. Deck post lighting beautifully illuminates your backyard without a blinding glare. Easy on the eyes, it showcases your deck to its best advantage. It also provides security and safety.

Picture of an installed white post deck light Designing a deck lighting system is a relatively simple home improvement project. It also gives you the opportunity to be very creative. There is a wide variety of lights and accessories. You are limited only by your imagination. It is important to plan your lighting in advance and work from there.

There are three basic types of deck lighting that you can start with. Accent lighting is similar to what is often used indoors. Light fixtures are mounted on posts, walls, railings, and steps, making the light spread downwards. It is perfect in illuminating the edges of steps and decks.

There is also recessed deck lighting. They are mounted under the floor boards you walk on, giving the impression of walking on air. The lights come as bricks or disks and can be treaded on without damage. Post lighting is mounted on posts and is the perfect accent to mark an entrance to a deck or a flight of stairs because of the 360-degree illumination it provides.

Once your lighting plan is ready, you don’t have to be a professional to install and carry it out. However, there are a few things that you must consider.

Of course, your lighting scheme must look good but you must also have safety and security first and foremost on your mind.
To highlight stairways, doorways, and the perimeter of your deck, spotlights can be a good choice, but depending on your application you might want to look at a softer lighting.
Recessed deck lights can define boundaries and illuminate hazards.
To avoid glare, strong light sources should not be placed where it will bounce directly off a hard surface.
The use of indirect lighting creates a gentle, pleasing atmosphere all over your deck.
You can test lighting on stairs and decks using a flashlight or lantern that best imitates the kind of light source you are installing.
You can try different angles and intensity to find out what eliminates shadows and glare.
Light fixtures should always be tested before installation.
Unsightly wires can be eliminated by wiring on hidden areas or you can also look at using solar lighting which will remove the wiring all together.