Creating the Perfect Summer Night with Outdoor Lighting

When starting your lighting project, you'll want all your outdoor outlets to be GFCI protected, and have in-use outlet covers. This setup will protect whatever you plug in from water, debris, and dust. If you think you have GFCI outlets, check if they have the “Test” and “Reset” buttons between them.

Installing a GFCI outlet is different from installing a standard one, so here’s a video to help you with the installation. You can also watch this video on how to install an in-use outlet cover.

CAFE LIGHTS

Perhaps the hottest trend in outdoor lighting and one of the easiest ways to add soft light to any evening gathering, a string of cafe lights give your deck or patio a warm summer night twinkle. Easy to install and hang, just make sure you have an outlet within reaching distance of the string.



FLAG LIGHTING AND OTHER SPOTLIGHTS

Especially around the Fourth of July, many people start thinking about putting a spotlight on the flag. However, spotlights can work for many other purposes as well. Many people will spotlight the front of the house, outdoor art installations, trees, or other points of interest in the yard.



FLOODLIGHTS

If you have an outdoor court for tennis, basketball, volleyball, or other sports, or if you enjoy setting up a backyard game of badminton like my family, floodlights are a great way to light the night!



BORDER OR WALKWAY LIGHTING

To bring some soft light to flower beds or gardens, border lights are a great accent idea. Border or walkway lighting can also provide safety for sidewalks, paths, and driveways.



DECORATIVE ROCK LIGHTS

For some of the same reasons as border or walkway lighting, decorative rocks can provide many of the same benefits. However, they have the added benefit of blending into your landscaping. Offered in all shapes, sizes, styles, and colors, you’re sure to find a set to match your aesthetic.



SOFFIT LIGHTING

To create a dramatic and inviting look, illuminate the exterior of your home with soffit lighting. You can even add colored bulbs during different seasons to make your home festive! (Red, white, and blue lights, anyone?) However, installing soffit lighting is pretty labor intensive. You might want to enlist the help of a licensed electrician to make sure it’s done safely and correctly.