#Solar desk lights how to
#Solar desk lights series

The idea is to direct a light at a flat vertical surface such as the wall of your home. Washing, or backsplashing, is used as a form of indirect lighting for ground surfaces. Specialty lighting techniques such as washing can also be used to illuminate an attached deck. You can also pair string lights with a shade sail to add light: the light will bounce off the shade sail at night, and during the day you’ll be protected from harsh UV rays.Ī feature light such as a chandelier or an oversized outdoor rated floor lamp can create a warm living-room feeling. String lights are also often used to light up a pergola on a deck, or to illuminate the space beneath an elevated deck. The downside is that if your deck is detached and there are no mature trees nearby, you’ll need to erect posts. Retro Edison bulbs, glob bulbs, and other fun styles are now readily available in outdoor-rated LED fixtures.

#Solar desk lights series

This simple lighting technique involves hanging a series of lights from the structure of your home or from a tree and draping the lights across your deck. String lights are not hardwired, which gives you the option of changing up the look when you like. String lights are generally associated with a festive spirit and romantic Mediterranean cafes. But add them if you feel you’d like a bit more light. Accent lights are not necessary if your safety lighting gives you enough light to enjoy the space. Our favorites include string lights and hanging lanterns. Ambient Light: a Pleasing SpaceĪmbient light is already partially achieved with safety lighting. Recessed deck lighting: if your deck is fully or partially covered by a roof, recessed lighting gives a clean look and plenty of illumination. You’ll get the most reliable illumination from hardwired LED stair lights. Stair lights are incorporated into each vertical stair riser to reduce shadows. Recessed lights are also available in color-changing versions that you can adjust to suit the mood. If you aren’t in love with a runway-style look, consider colored recessed lights such as an ethereal blue, which cast a much softer look. These lights are mounted directly into the boards and shine light upward. This is particularly useful for creating a safe atmosphere when your deck doesn’t have a railing. Recessed in-floor lighting can be used on the outer perimeter of a deck. If you like to lean against a rail, we recommend mounting LED strips on the underside.

Or, they may be mounted to the side of the rail and point down toward the deck floor. They may be LED strips that are either mounted on the underside of the rail or wrapped around it. Rail lights are mounted directly to the railing. Post lights can also be mounted on the sides of the posts, lower to the ground. Post lights are hardwired, and fit under the deck post cap. adding a functional architectural detail that can give your deck a finished look. Post lights are installed on the tops of posts, and diffuse light down toward the ground. There are three main ways to light a deck for safety: post lights, rail lights, in-floor lights, stair lights, and recessed lighting. This will make the space feel more magical and less like a sports stadium. This technique does double duty in creating a safe environment while keeping lights lower than knee height (1 to 3 feet off the ground). Illuminate walking surfaces like stairs and the deck itself with lights that are positioned and angled low, to direct light energy where it’s needed. Let’s cover some of the best deck lighting techniques to make the space relaxing after dark. The specific lighting techniques used in a deck design are very similar to those used on a paver patio. You’ll also need to factor in the color temperature of the lights, the intensity of the lights the placement of the lights, energy sources (hardwired, plug-in, or solar) and just as importantly, the appearance of the fixtures during daylight hours.

#Solar desk lights how to

Some of the most important considerations include how to mix creative lighting techniques for specific uses such as lighting stairs as well as to create a pleasing ambience. There are many different ways to light a deck.