27 Smart Ways To Illuminate An Outdoor Space

smart ways to illuminate an outdoor space

The outdoor season is in full swing, and we tend to spend more and more time outdoors having a drink, a meal, reading, talking to friends and making a barbecue. Choosing décor, furniture and other stuff is very important to make your staying there much more comfy and to make your spaces more inviting. Lighting up your spaces is one of the points, especially if you like spending time outdoors at night. Let’s consider some ideas how to illuminate your terrace or patio.

Consider Your Space

Look what you need to illuminate – a barbeque zone, an outdoor kitchen, a pool, an outdoor bedroom or living space or a bathroom even. The lighting for all these spaces, its intensity and functionality will be totally different. Also consider if you need to light up paths and steps or windows, for example, have a look at the amount of space you have and opportunities to use walls.

Go For Versatility

Have a look at the market, choose some versatile lighting system with LEDs, sensors, programs, mechanisms and easy installation. Ambient lights are also great for outdoor spaces, have a look at them.

Outdoor Kitchen Lights

If we take outdoor kitchens, the most popular option is LED lights in the roof over this kitchen or in the walls. If the roof is made of wooden slabs, you can just hang some lamps that you like – go for same lamps along the whole kitchen area, they should match your outdoor décor.

A fireplace for light and coziness and small LED lights over the whole kitchen and dining area.

A fireplace for light and coziness and small LED lights over the whole kitchen and dining area.

Cozy lanterns hanging from the pergola above the kitchen.

Cozy lanterns hanging from the pergola above the kitchen.

Wall lights over the outdoor kitchen island to cook more comfortably.

Wall lights over the outdoor kitchen island to cook more comfortably.

Modern box pendant lamps hanging over the cooking area.

Modern box pendant lamps hanging over the cooking area.

LED lights over the cooking area.

LED lights over the cooking area.

Bulbs attached above the whole kitchen, the roof not only protects form the sun but also can be used for lights.

Bulbs attached above the whole kitchen, the roof not only protects form the sun but also can be used for lights.

Just some LED lights above the kitchen area.

Just some LED lights above the kitchen area.

Awesome textural black pendant lamps over the kitchen island.

Awesome textural black pendant lamps over the kitchen island.

Outdoor Pool Lights

If you need to highlight the pool, one of the easiest idea is solar rope lighting along the whole edge of the pool – it’s rather budget-savvy and easy to install. Pool with inner lights are just beyond gorgeous! Swimming in them while it’s dark is stunning! You can also install LEDs all around the pool if the light is sufficient. A modern and fun way to illuminate the pool is floating lamps – they will make your pool magical and you can swim with them.

Bistro bulb fairylights attached to hooks along the whole pool.

Bistro bulb fairylights attached to hooks along the whole pool.

A small pool with inner lights is a great choice to swim at night, too.

A small pool with inner lights is a great choice to swim at night, too.

Floating, waterproof LED globes for lighting up the pool, and you can swim with them.

Floating, waterproof LED globes for lighting up the pool, and you can swim with them.

Inner lights, some LEDs on the walls and some sphere lamps.

Inner lights, some LEDs on the walls and some sphere lamps.

Underwater pool lights in the pool and jacuzzi - you don't need more.

Underwater pool lights in the pool and jacuzzi - you don't need more.

Solar rope lights are perfect for lining up your pool and accentuating it.

Solar rope lights are perfect for lining up your pool and accentuating it.

Inner lights and LEDs on the paths and walls around the pool.

Inner lights and LEDs on the paths and walls around the pool.

Outdoor Steps Illuminating

If you have garden steps or frontyard ones, illuminate them to show the way and not to fall when coming back home late. Opt for solar lights attached to the steps or go for inner lighting in between the steps for a bold modern look. If you stairs are next to the wall, you can attach the lighting set to the wall to save some space.

Concrete steps with lights underneath for a gorgeous modern look.

Concrete steps with lights underneath for a gorgeous modern look.

Solar step lights are budget-savvy and comfy in using.

Solar step lights are budget-savvy and comfy in using.

Low-profile contemporary stair lighting under treads of outdoor stone steps.

Low-profile contemporary stair lighting under treads of outdoor stone steps.

Lights attached to every wooden step for comfort.

Lights attached to every wooden step for comfort.

A wall lighting set to illuminate steps that ar enext to the wall.

A wall lighting set to illuminate steps that ar enext to the wall.

Lights attached to the planters to illuminate the patio and steps.

Lights attached to the planters to illuminate the patio and steps.

Lighting the walk up in a simple and modenr way for a chic look.

Lighting the walk up in a simple and modenr way for a chic look.

Outdoor Lounge Lights

String lights is the easiest idea for a seating area because they can be applied to almost any space and attached anywhere, plus it’s a budget-savvy solution. Want something different? Make a fireplace or a firepit and add candles or candle lanterns for gorgeous ambient lighting. If you have tall grass or bushes, you can hide lights inside them and put just a floor lamp for coziness.

Light bulbs hanging over the lounge is an easy idea.

Light bulbs hanging over the lounge is an easy idea.

A modern lit fire pit is enough for a living zone.

A modern lit fire pit is enough for a living zone.

String lights over the seating area is a simple and budget-savvy idea.

String lights over the seating area is a simple and budget-savvy idea.

hidden lights all around the seating zone and a large stylish floor lamp.

hidden lights all around the seating zone and a large stylish floor lamp.

A fireplace and unusual fabric covered candle lanterns.

A fireplace and unusual fabric covered candle lanterns.