If you already have a deck, you know how fun and relaxing it can be to go out back on a summer night. If you don’t have a deck, imagine sitting back in a lounging chair with a refreshing drink in your hand, the smell of meat grilling on the barbecue wafting through the air and the peaceful sound of crickets chirping. Seems pretty great, right? Unfortunately, without the proper deck lighting, that relaxing night will have to end a whole lot sooner.
Read on to find out how you can get the most out of your deck experience by ensuring your guests don’t injure themselves, while setting the mood with proper lighting.
Safety lighting
There’s no way you or your guests can enjoy your deck without being able to see what’s going on around you once it gets dark. That’s where different types of safety lighting come into play:
- Walkway lights: The first thing you’ll need is walkway lights leading up to the steps of your deck. The best type of lighting for your walkway is small, solar powered lights. They come in a variety of colors and styles and don’t require any wiring!
- Riser lights: Riser lights will guide your guests up the staircase to your deck. They’re attached to the risers on your steps and help to ensure nobody trips and falls.
- Accent lights: If your deck has multiple levels, it’s a good idea to install small accent lights leading up to the next level of your deck. You could also use riser lights for this purpose, if you feel so inclined. However, accent lights are typically softer, so they help set a more soothing mood on a deck. And speaking of setting the mood…
Ambient lighting
Having the proper deck lighting doesn’t necessarily mean just illuminating the area enough to be able to see. Lighting sets the mood and can literally make or break your evening. Here are some options to consider:
- Post cap lights: These lights will attach to the rail posts around your deck. They provide a soothing, yet abundant amount of light that’ll help people see, while setting a relaxing mood on your deck. Our post cap lights come in a wide variety of colors and are incredibly durable.
- Ceiling lights: If your deck has a partial roof, you can mount soft lighting to the ceiling that’ll create a tranquil mood.
- House mounted lights: It’s a good idea to mount a few lights on the side of your house— just make sure they aren’t too bright. The lights on your house will help people see when they’re trying to go back inside your house.
While we can retrofit any deck with the perfect deck lighting, it’ll be a much simpler process to set up lighting if you give us a call before your deck is built. We can work with you and your contractor to set up the perfect lighting that’ll ensure safety and set the mood. Call Moonlight Decks LLC today for more information!