You will spend most of your time in your home, hopefully, surrounded by family and friends. Your home is the place where many of your memories will be made. Dinners will be eaten, laughter will be heard, and gatherings will take place.

If you are lucky or smart enough to have a deck, you have one more place to entertain. Your deck is an extension of your home. But is your deck all it can be? An outdoor living remodel may be in line to create an awesome space to enjoy outside.

When the weather is at its finest, all we want to do is be outside. If your deck isn’t adequately lit, the party has to end when the sun goes down – what a shame.

Luckily, you have a simple solution at your fingertips; lighting!

If you have questions about how to make your deck a space you can be proud of, don’t hesitate to contact Dupont Construction and Remodeling. 

If you are debating whether or not you even need a deck, check out this article. You will see the value a deck can add to your home. 

For those of you who already have a deck, and want to add value to it, consider the following suggestions. We will tell you how to extend your deck’s usefulness after the sun goes down. 

Use Lighting To Enhance Your Deck

Adding light to your outdoor spaces will extend the pleasure and use you will get from your deck. On top of that, the light will make your deck a safer and more secure meeting place for you and your family. The setting sun will no longer force you indoors.

Know What To Illuminate

Everyone’s deck is different. Therefore, every deck owner’s needs are different. You can use outdoor lighting in a variety of ways. Your lighting can be used for:

• Practical purposes
• Safety reasons
• Highlight landscaping
• Highlight architectural features
• Enhance eating areas
• Illuminate steps
• Create a desired mood or atmosphere
• Special occasions

When choosing where to add lighting, make a plan first. Know why you are doing it before you begin.

To DIY or Not To DIY?

Unless you have prior knowledge or experience with lighting, it is probably best to call an electrician. If you decide to try to install the lighting on your own, check out this great how-to-list here. 

A few things to keep in mind before you begin:

• The lights you install will most likely be low voltage- 12 volts of electricity
• You will need a transformer to convert the 120-volt current indoors to the 12-volt current outdoors
• The transformer you buy will be dependent on the number and wattage of the light fixtures you purchase
• The transformer you eventually choose should be able to handle the needs of your current wattage and about 25 to 50 more so it won’t be overloaded 
• Try to think ahead and be prepared for any lights you might add in the future

Some lights require more wattage than others. Many new fixtures use LED lighting. LED lights are more energy-efficient, and they are usually cheaper. 

Solar lighting is another cost-effective option. It is the most energy-efficient, but, unfortunately, it is currently not strong or reliable enough to adequately illuminate your yard. 

What Are My Options?

When planning your outdoor lighting, an excellent place to start would be the most popular types of deck lighting. 

• Steps- surface mounts, flush mounts, path lights, weatherproof LED strip lights
• Paths or fixtures- well, spotlights, uplights
• Wall- eaves, patio roofs, trees- downlights
• Railings or posts- post caps, rail lights

Your home should reflect your personal taste and style. Mont contemporary fixtures will work in almost any application. Keep in mind that specialty lighting is available for certain types of homes. 

Unless it reflects the character of your home, you should try to resist the urge you might feel to try an eclectic look. Do some research to find out which types of fixtures blend best with your home’s style. 

Inspiration and Style 

The right lighting can turn your ordinary patio or deck into a welcoming space. Here are a few ideas on lighting that will give you just the right atmosphere.

• String lights- Not just for Christmas, these beautiful twinkly lights can instantly elevate any space where they are draped. 
• Lanterns- Lanterns are visually appealing both at night and during the day. They also carry the added benefit that they are portable. You can move them around effortlessly whenever you need to. 
• Torches- Torches can be used to mark the outline of your seating area. Instantly transport your friends and family to the Tropics with a tiki vibe. Add citronella candles to keep the pesky mosquitoes away.
• Deck Stair Lights- Use in-floor lighting to accentuate your stairs. Help your guests see where they are going by illuminating the steps they must take.
• Spotlights- Use spotlights to highlight any feature or space wherever you want to draw your guests’ attention. 
• Recessed Lighting- Recessed lights can be used under your deck, under counters or tables, or inside posts or railings. 
• Glow Balls- The perfect way to accent your pool or pond, glow balls are elegant and charming.
• Solar lighting- As previously mentioned, in their current form, solar lights are not effective for illumination. On the plus side, solar lights can be left on all night because they are energy-efficient, and they are not to bright too bother your neighbors. 

After going through this list, we hope you will be inspired to light up the night. Turn your deck into an inviting space with the proper illumination. After you do the hard work, it will be time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the night.

Don’t forget to contact Dupont Construction and Remodeling for all your deck and patio needs. Get your free estimate today.