Outdoor Lighting Tips for Summer

Summer is a popular season for entertaining. Outdoor barbecues, wedding receptions and other get-togethers are meant to be enjoyed in beautiful summer weather, but is the area outside of your home well lit? The summer breeze and the smell of food grilling may entice your guests, but not if it’s difficult to see! We have several tips for lighting your patio, walkway and overall landscape to create the perfect summer party setting.

Light the Pathway

Summer days stay lighter longer, but even dusk can make it hard to see where you’re walking. You can lessen the risk of guests losing their footing by illuminating your walkway with outdoor post mounts. As opposed to in-ground fixtures, posts are tall, thus throwing more overall light to make the whole path visible. Feiss Lighting has an extensive line of outdoor lighting products, including post lights, in several finishes.

Layer Lighting

While you don’t want your guests to be sitting in the dark, you also don’t want it to be too bright outdoors either. Soft lighting creates a special mood for summer pastimes, like nighttime picnics and bonfires. Layer your lighting, complementing your existing exterior lighting with fixtures placed higher up or down below. If your tabletops are already illuminated by candles or a backdoor spotlight, hang lanterns on the outskirts of your patio.

Choose a Focal Point

Select one part of your landscape or a feature of your patio to highlight with extra lighting. If you’re having a cookout, this would likely be the grill. Not only will the fixtures add a touch of personal design flair, they will provide the light needed for cooking! Kichler Lighting makes a stunning line of outdoor wall lights with a rubbed bronze finish. The South Hope collection is casual, yet sophisticatedly designed, ideal for your outdoor focal point.

Keep it Cool

Summer nights can get uncomfortably hot outside. Keep the air circulating throughout your patio with an outdoor ceiling fan! Installed right above the dining table or an outdoor furniture set, your guests will always be comfortable no matter the temperature. Shop popular brands, including Casablanca, Kichler, Minka-Aire, Monte Carlo and Savoy House.

Interested in beautifying your outdoor space for summer? Connecticut Lighting Centers is your go-to destination for all exterior lighting products. Browse your options online today or visit our showrooms, located in Hartford and Southington.