Patio Lighting

A patio can be a great addition to any home or outdoor living space, and adding patio lighting can extend the use of a patio into the evening hours, making it a useful gathering place any time of day or night, year-round.

Your options for patio lighting are just about limitless, but there are some key things to keep in mind as you consider how you'll illuminate your outdoor living space.

The first consideration is size. If you've got an expansive patio, you may want to focus your energy on outdoor lighting kits. These can be as simple as a few lights connected to a timer, and as complex as multiple lighting stations that can stretch around an entire home. They're readily available at most home improvement stores in a wide range of styles and pricing tiers.

If, on the other hand, your patio is an intimate setting designed to entertain just a few guests, you may be able to get away with temporary lighting options like candles, kerosene lamps or string lights. These won't create as much illumination as an outdoor lighting kit, but they can suffice for a small space, and they can also be particularly charming.

Finally, you may also want to consider a solar-powered patio lighting scheme. These kits are not unlike other outdoor lighting setups, except for the fact that they use the sun's rays for their power. When the sun goes down, they switch on, creating a cost-efficient and attractive complement to your patio.

See also: Deck and Patio Design Ideas