Deck Lighting Ideas

When thinking of deck lighting ideas there are few things that you need to keep in mind to make your deck a practical and inviting outdoor space that will extend the time you can use your deck.

First of all you want your deck lighting to become part of your overall landscape, don't just light the deck, but also light the area surrounding the deck. By lighting the surrounding area you can incorporate this lighting into your deck. Surrounding trees and other structures are great for placing lights in to create a natural lighting effect.

Another thing to keep in mind is how you use your deck. A typical deck with be used for entertaining, as well as cooking. Both of these type of actives calls for a little different lighting. Your seating area should have just enough light that you and your guest can see each other, but you want to avoid any light that may be at eye level that would cause a glare. For the cooking area you will much more lighting to see what you are doing, so you need to add some task lighting to this area.

Keep in mind that you want your deck lighting to be soft and appealing.

More Deck Lighting Ideas

• If your deck is connected to your house and you have a roof over it, use a wall wash light to project on to the ceiling. This will help connect the deck to the house.
• Consider the use of mixing low voltage lighting and solar lights to achieve your desired lighting effect.
• Make sure to light traffic areas, steps and level changes for safety.
• If you have a focal point on your deck such as a water feature. Draw attention this by highlighting it.
• You can mount lights to the railings, walls and deck posts.
• Use recessed deck lighting to define the outer area of your deck.
• You can use color lenses or filters to create more of a moon lighting affect.

Avoid Light Glare

• Don't place any of your down lighting on surfaces that are shiny, as this will cause glare.
• If using post cap lights make sure you have no chairs close by.

Lights for the Deck

• Deck step lights
• Path lights
• Spot lights
• Well lights
• Pendants
• Wall Lights