Deck Lighting Options

If you're looking to extend your outdoor living experience past sundown, you'll need to explore some deck lighting options. Consideration of a variety of deck lighting ideas should get you well on your way to a deck that's bright and beautiful any time of day or night.

One of the keys to deck lighting is subtlety—you don't want blazing spotlights overwhelming your nighttime outdoor experience, and you also don't want complaints from the neighbors that your backyard is beaming fluorescence into their windows at all hours.

If you're not a registered electrician, fear not. Many home improvement stores carry pre-packaged outdoor lighting kits that will work just fine for your deck and outdoor living space. And if you're a little more handy with wires and want to create your own lighting design, rest assured that fixtures, transformers, lamps and timers can all be purchased individually.

You'll want to focus on quality and durability for your deck lighting. Remember, it's going to be exposed to the elements. Whether you purchase a kit or piecemeal items, make sure you have a timer or daylight sensor that'll turn your lighting on and off at pre-set times, a transformer that will reduce the current coming from your home to the lighting system, cable to connect the lights, and of course the light fixtures themselves.

Once you're set up with all the tools, you'll be ready to design your deck's lighting scheme and enjoy your home's outdoor space, even after the sun departs.

See also: Deck and Patio Design Ideas