Outdoor Lighting for Any Size Yard

Summer is here and that means one thing – (no, not rolling blackouts) it’s time to go outside and enjoy your yard or patio. This is easy during the day, when the sun is shining and natural light is plentiful. If your outdoor areas are not properly lit, however, the setting sun can be like a countdown to pack up and head back indoors. For many regions around the country, the best time to be outside is at night, when the harsh sun has gone down and cooler temperatures prevail. The best way to enjoy warm summer nights is by having a yard that employs ample outdoor lighting.

There are lighting options available for any sized yard, whether you have a large lot or a cozier petite patio. Lighting larger outdoor areas usually means the use of a few different light fixtures and mixing them throughout your yard. Conventional wall-mounted or hanging lights work great under covered patio areas while weatherproof post-mounted lanterns and lights are ideal for corners of decks and anywhere else they can be mounted. If you have a solid perimeter wall, mounting wall sconces every eight or ten feet is a great option that adds light and also decoration during the day. For accent lighting, solar powered path lights are ideal for, you guessed it, paths, and also in planters and gardens. These solar lights use absolutely zero electricity and come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit just about any decorating taste.

Smaller yards and patios can employ many of the same lighting fixtures as larger lots, just on a slightly smaller scale. It’s important to keep smaller spaces uncluttered and to not overdo it when it comes to outdoor lighting. Sometimes a single wall fixture is all you need to provide enough light. Just as with larger yards, solar powered lights make great accent pieces and are generally very inconspicuous for small yards and patios. Be aware, however, that these fixtures don’t provide enough light to be used as primary lighting sources. They generally only emit a soft glow and therefore should only be used as accent lighting.