Patio Lighting Options
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Patio lighting can turn your patio into a nighttime outdoor living area. Why just use your patio when the sun is providing light? If you’re not using patio lights, you’re not taking full advantage of your patio area!
Why patio lighting?
When a patio is properly lit, it can become a great place for evening and nighttime activities. It adds living space to your home and can be a godsend for the overflow of guests when you’re entertaining. You and your family will be able to enjoy getting outdoors more, too, for nighttime cookouts and for just “chilling.”
Patio lighting not only makes your patio area more attractive; it also makes it safer. How much light you want is completely up to you. You might choose bright lighting or soft, subdued lighting to create warmth and ambience.
Types of patio lighting
You’ll find several different types and styles of patio lights, in a wide range of prices. No matter what your specific needs, you’ll have no problem finding patio lighting that’s just right for you and your family.
Electric patio lighting
Electric patio lighting is plugged into an electrical outlet or is wired directly to your home, like in the case of a spotlight mounted on the house. When you’re using a series of small individual electric lights, the cord is often buried to keep it out of sight and to prevent tripping.
Spotlights are often used for patio lighting. Spotlights can be mounted to practically any secure surface and flood the entire area with bright light. Instead of pointing a spotlight directly on the patio, many homeowners choose to place them around the patio and point them upwards to illuminate trees and shrubbery.
Electric pathway lights are also popular. They can be placed around the edge of your patio or around steps to provide safe footing. They come in different shapes, including mini lanterns, tubes, and flowers.
Solar patio lighting
Another option is solar lighting. These lights are powered by the sun during the day, and that energy is stored until sundown. At dusk, the lights come on automatically, and at sunrise, they turn off automatically. The light from solar fixtures is not usually as bright as that from electric lights.
One example of solar patio lighting is in the form of path lights. These can be placed around the perimeter of your patio to define it. These are often on stakes that can be pushed directly into the ground. Some of the globes are shaped like flowers, and some even change colors.
Another form of solar lighting is umbrella lights. These are attached to your patio umbrella and provide soft lighting for everyone seated at the adjoining table. This is a great idea for outdoor dining at night.
A unique way to give your patio some glow is with solar rock lights. These lights are ingeniously mounted in resin rocks that look authentic. Because of their natural shape and texture, rock lights provide soft lighting in an unobtrusive way.
Where to buy patio lighting
Most home improvement stores carry patio lighting. You might also find a few examples at pool and patio stores. For the most choices in patio lighting, however, shop online.
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