Deck Lighting Ideas

The best outdoor deck light ideas provide the right mix of style and utility. When designing a lighting theme, it’s best to use a combination of various types of lights to achieve this effect. Start with large, bright lights, such as outdoor chandeliers, wall lights and post lights, to provide the brightness. Then incorporate softer accent lighting, such as string lights and table torches, to complete the look. There’s no right or wrong answer as to how much and what kind of lighting you should use as long as you like the look and have the right visibility.

Solar deck post lights can really transform the look of your deck area. These lights are easy to install and come in multi-head varieties, which provide the most light, and single-head varieties, which don’t take up as much space. Hard-wired deck pole lights are also available and are easy to integrate into your design. If you don’t want to attach lighting to the deck, you can also find freestanding outdoor post lighting that you can install around the perimeter of the deck.

There are various kinds of deck rail lights with different mounting options. Side-mount lights shine light away from the rails for a wide range of coverage. Under-rail lights come in strip form and install under the rail to cast a downward glow.

Deck stair lights are a feature that can make your deck stairs more beautiful and also prevent falls. These lights can be especially useful for decks attached to swimming pools, where water can splash onto the steps. Solar deck stair lights offer the same style and utility as wired versions while helping you save money on your utility bill.

Not only can you incorporate lighting fixtures into the railings, stairs and perimeter of your deck, but you can also install them into the floor planks. Recessed deck lighting is a perfect option for very large decks where other light fixtures may not completely illuminate some areas. When planning to install deck floor lights, you’ll want to consider the spacing. If the lights are placed too close together, the floor may be too glaring. If the lights are installed too far apart, there may be dark spots.

Once you’ve designed a lighting theme for your deck, don’t forget to light the surrounding area with landscape lighting. If you have a flower bed, planting bed or garden within view, consider using planter lights or globe lights to illuminate those beautiful blooms in the evening. To provide some ambient mood lighting around the deck perimeter and leading up to the deck, consider adding some path lights.

In addition to permanently mounted outdoor lighting, small touches like tabletop torches and candles can add a cozy ambiance to your deck — especially for evening gatherings or barbecues. Also, citronella candles and torches will help keep the bugs away without harsh chemicals.

String lighting for decks is great for hanging overhead to create an evening canopy effect and for hanging in corners to light a cozy outdoor nook. String lights are also a good choice for festive outdoor gatherings.

Outdoor wall lighting is available in a lot of different styles and finishes, so coordinating fixtures like outdoor wall sconces and outdoor wall lanterns into a deck design is easy to do.

Adding outdoor pendant lighting to eaves and overhangs provides stylish accent lighting as well as an unexpected design element. These fixtures are reminiscent of indoor lighting and can make your deck feel more like a living room.