Outdoor Patio Lighting: 4 Ways to Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space

Jul 12, 2022 3:08:03 PM

When it comes to getting the most possible enjoyment out of your patio, outdoor lighting is critical. That’s because, without the proper outdoor lighting, your patio space can only be enjoyed during daylight hours. After the sun goes down, the fun has to end, too.

But with patio lighting, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Patio lighting can not only make your space more functional in the evening hours so that you can use your patio space at night, but it can also make it more beautiful, too. Lighting will give your space a whole new ambiance at night.

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some outdoor patio light ideas to consider. Great lighting is so much more than just throwing up a spotlight. In order to truly get the most out of the space, lighting needs to be skillfully (and artistically) done.

Patio Light Ideas

Any of these outdoor patio light ideas can help you to get the most out of your investment in your patio space.

1. Take Advantage of Downlighting

Downlighting is a form of lighting in which the lights are located above (and as the name implies) cast light downward. Downlights are often installed high in the trunk of a tree or on a branch and then aimed at the patio. It’s a great way to provide visibility and light up the patio area in an attractive way.

Outdoor Kitchen Lighting.

It’s a lot less abrasive than having a spotlight pointed at your space (as is often done). This often provides too much or too harsh light. It can also be blinding and uncomfortable. But downlighting is much more subtle, attractive, and appealing. 

2. Use Built-in Hardscape Lights

Lights that are built into the hardscaping can also be an attractive way to incorporate patio lighting into your space. These are sometimes built into a retaining wall, steps, or the patio itself.

Architectural Lighting. Fireplace. Seating. Retaining wall

We can also incorporate niche lights around specific features or areas of the property that you want to either enjoy (and view) or actually utilize at night. This might include lighting around an outdoor fireplace or a retaining wall.

3. Incorporate Landscape Lighting

Most patio areas are surrounded by beautiful plants and shrubs—and sometimes an attractive specimen tree. But these elements cannot be enjoyed in the evening hours when the landscape is in the dark.

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Landscape lighting can solve this, and illuminate the landscaping around your patio so that it can be enjoyed while using the space. Now, as you have dinner or evening drinks on your patio, you can enjoy the ambiance of your surrounding area.

4. Use Lighting Controls for Patio Lighting

Finally, we also want to mention that outdoor lighting for patios can include lighting controls that allow you to customize the setting for various gatherings. You can create pre-set lighting arrangements that let you get the lighting “just right” at the push of a button. You can also change the brightness and make other alterations all from an app on a smart device.

Choosing a Lighting Designer Who Will Help You Have the Perfect Outdoor Lighting for Patios

At the end of the day, great lighting doesn't just happen. An amazing lighting design is skillfully and purposefully created and then installed. Great lighting is both an art and a science, so it’s important that you choose the right lighting professional for the work.


Front Yard Landscape Lighting
While there are many outdoor patio light ideas that could make your space truly unique, there are also many companies that create the same design again and again. These are companies that don’t think outside of the box or aren’t comfortable with various techniques.

But we know that you want something truly your own, that is designed for your patio.

It’s a matter of how much you end up using and enjoying your space—and that’s a big deal. At Mid South Night Lights, we understand how important it is for you to be able to use your backyard whenever you want. We believe you deserve to have an attractive and safe outdoor living area, even when the sun goes down.

That’s why we’re here to help you maximize your enjoyment and use of your patio with a lighting design that is perfect for your property. With just the right patio lighting, you’ll find yourself (and your friends and family) enjoying that space more than ever.

Are you ready to create a secure, functional, and beautiful property at any hour of the day? If so, let’s meet and discuss some bright ideas.

Request a Consultation

Patio Lighting