27+ Deck Lighting Ideas For Illuminating Your Backyard

27+ deck lighting ideas For illuminating Your Backyard

Ever get bored of the same old deck? Need some inspiration to spruce up your backyard? Deck lighting is a great way to make your deck feel more inviting. Finding one that fits your needs may take some time with all of the different types out there.

This post will give you an overview of 27 different deck lighting ideas for contemporary and traditional styles. Whether you are looking for something modern or classic, this guide should help point you in the right direction!

Deck Stair Lighting Ideas

1. Modern Stair Lights

light install on steps deck

Stair lights are a relatively inexpensive way to make your deck safer after dark. When you mount recessed lighting on the underside of your deck stairs, it illuminates the treads and risers with warm, ambient light.

2. LED Tape Light For Deck

led tape install on deck floor

The LED deck lighting on the tape light mimics daylight, making it an easy option for daytime illumination. LED strip lighting is easily installed and removed by cutting the length of the strand you need and wrapping it around any railing or staircase on the deck.

3. In-step lighting

in-steps lighting install on deck steps

If you want to make your deck feel like an actual outdoor living space, adding in-step lighting is easy to make it more accessible for guests of all ages. These lights are easily installed inside the risers of the steps and offer safety for both you and your guests.

Covered Deck Lighting Ideas

4. Recessed Lighting

recessed lighting install on deck roof

Recessed lighting can also be added to your deck to provide light for evening gatherings. Recessed deck lights are easy to install and come in many styles, including ground-level or lantern-style lights.

5. Spotlights Over Deck

nice and cozy dinner table next to swimming pool

Spotlights are a great way to make the deck more beautiful. People like having good lighting when they eat outside because it helps them see what they’re eating.

This will make the deck feel more like an actual outdoor area and less like a patio that’s part of your house. You can hang spotlights from the ceiling or install them on posts to direct the light where you need it most. Find more information here about outdoor track lighting.

6. Pergola Lighting

String-light hanging on pergola

A pergola is an outdoor decorative element that can be made from wood, stone, or brick. You can add solar LED lights or wired light fixtures in the rafters. These hanging deck lights highlight the architectural elements of the structure.

7. Micro Pendants

pendant light hanging on pergola

This cluster of pendants will give you a modern and fresh vibe. All the different textures in this backyard will mesh well together. The natural textures from the concrete, marble bar, and wood slats can be seen everywhere that it is hanging over your coffee table.

Hanging Deck Lighting Ideas

8. String Lights

String-light hanging on deck

A deck is a beautiful place to enjoy time with friends and family. String lights can be placed above the roofing for a mesmerizing atmosphere. The string lights are available in different shapes, sizes, and colors. This guide will show you how to hang string lights on a deck.

9. Rope Lighting

Rope light hanging along rail deck

The rope lighting on your deck is just the perfect touch for your backyard. The soft, warm glow of the light adds coziness to your deck. It also provides just enough light.

With this type of lighting on your deck, you can create an excellent ambiance with your evening cookout or conversation with friends. You can find more backyard rope light ideas in this guide.

10. Light Curtains

string-light hanging a curtain style

Multicolored lights are trendy in the world of decorative decorating. These lights are for indoor use, but they can also make outdoor spaces feel more welcoming.

Curtain lights are a simple and cheap way to add some fun ambiance to your deck. This DIY curtain light tutorial will help you make one for your deck!

11. Under-umbrella Lights

String-light hanging on umbrella

While many decks have wide umbrellas to block out the sun during the day, that umbrella also can be used to hold battery-powered or electric lights at night.

These relatively inexpensive lights can hang inside an umbrella or all around the edges, like this picture, to illuminate it and the backyard gathering. Check out the electrician tips for your outdoor areas before building your deck!

Deck Post Lighting Ideas

12. Solar Lights

Solar light install on rail deck

The solar lights can also be used to decorate and provide light for lawns and yards. Solar light is an energy-efficient alternative to electric light.

They can be placed anywhere but can also be easily hidden among plants or hedges. This guide explains how to get deck solar lights up and running in just 20 minutes!

13. Post Cap Lights

solar deck posts cap light

Post cap lights are a great way to make your deck backyard safer for accidents. They are available in LED and solar-powered varieties and can be found at most home improvement stores or online. Read on to learn how to install post cap lighting on your deck.

14. Modern Deck Post Lighting

nice and cozy deck with light

Many homeowners enjoy having deck post lighting for their backyard because it’s affordable and suits any style. They provide crisp and clean lines, and they illuminate the railing so you can see it from a distance.

15. Low Voltage LED Deck Lighting

Low-voltage light install on posts deck

Lighting up your outdoor living space is one of the easiest ways to make it more inviting, comfortable, and memorable for entertaining. Low-voltage deck lighting kits are a popular option because they can be installed by homeowners with little or no experience in electrical work.

These lighting kits come in various styles but typically include fixtures that attach to posts on the deck railing or around the periphery of the deck.

16. Vintage Deck Lighting

Vintage deck Lights hanging on posts deck

The vintage deck lighting is ideal for alfresco dining with friends. The vintage-style lightbulbs create a hip look with loads of character.

The next option is string bulbs, which can be played around to give you different effects depending on how many strings are used. Here is a fun tutorial on how to makeover your old deck with lighting.

17. Post Mount Lighting

Post mount lighting install on deck

You can use the post mount lighting in several ways: lamps on the ground, attached to the deck railing and put on posts or poles. Post mount is an excellent decoration for decks that have pergolas or trellises over them.

Outdoor Deck Lighting Ideas

18. Under-Table Lights in Grilling Area

modern outdoor kitchen on deck

One of the best deck lighting ideas is to install lights under the workspaces of your outdoor cooking area.

This will not only make it easier to see what you’re doing, but it will also be more convenient since it’s easy to access and doesn’t take up any space. This guide has more outdoor kitchen lighting ideas for you to get inspired!

19. In-Floor Lights

Recessed lighting install on deck floor

In-floor lights are an excellent choice for your deck or backyard if there isn’t anywhere to hang a light, as these lights are installed into the flooring and provide an ambient glow. They can also provide increased safety around the perimeter of your deck or stairs during the nighttime hours.

20. Under Rail Deck Lighting

light hanging on rail deck

A deck should be a place where you get the opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Good deck lighting is one of the ways you can make your patio more comfortable, inviting, and enjoyable. Many different types of light can be used for this purpose.

21. Pool Deck Lighting

modern and beautiful backyard site

This will provide an adequate amount of light that will provide safety for those in and around the pool and provide clear demarcations to see where you are going and what you can do. Recessed and deck posts lights are outstanding options. Lighting for your hot tub deck is also a great decoration.

22. Seat Wall Lighting

patio seat wall lighting and fire pit

Having seat wall lighting for your deck is a great way to create ambiance while still maintaining safety. These fixtures are barely noticeable during the day but provide ample light at night. For more ideas on block seating walls, check out this gallery!

23. Classic Garden Lanterns

warm and cozy outdoor place

The warm, incandescent lights will create the perfect setting for a romantic evening. The lanterns are also relatively cheap, so you can buy one or two without breaking the bank. These lamps typically have a gas mantle, fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, and are available in various heights and colors.

24. Candles

candle light lighting on deck

Candles are a beautiful way of lighting up your deck. Suppose you have a small intimate backyard that is a good space for a candle. They give off a warm, romantic glow that makes porch parties just that much more special. To know about how to remove the candle wax, read this article!

25. Lit Seats

fire pit in backyard garden

Lit seats are a great way to tie your deck into the already nice ambiance of your backyard. If you already have outdoor lighting in place, you can hide fixtures under your chairs for an even, brighter glow. To have more ideas on how to spice up your backyard, check these deck landscaping projects to get inspired!

26. Wall Lights

small and cozy deck in backyard

Another advantage of having wall lighting for the deck is that the cables are hidden. If you do not want to have them in an internal pipe inside the walls, you can use plastic supports.

27. Portable Lighting

Portable lighting placed on deck floor

Portable lighting can be a great solution to any space that does not have a permanent fixture. This creates a mobile light source that is highly convenient for those who are renting or entertaining guests.

Solar lights with handles can be easily carried from room to room without fear of tripping over cords. Lanterns look chic on any deck and are always there when you need them.

28. Fire Pit

4 chairs and fire pit in backyard

A fire pit is a great way to set the mood when enjoying time with friends or family. The sound of the crackling fire is perfect for conversation and provides a fantastic ambiance for spending time with loved ones.

There are many ways to turn your backyard into excellent for entertaining guests during the day or night, but having a fireplace or fire pit is often at the heart of this type of outdoor living space.

Love the vibe? You can find more backyard fire pit ideas in our feature.

Conclusion

Deck lighting is one of the easiest ways to make your outdoor living space more inviting, comfortable, and memorable for entertaining. The different options will ensure that you can find something that matches your style or what best suits the look and feel of your backyard. We hope this article has given you some inspiration when it comes time to plan out deck lights in your own home!

Olivia Jackson
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