Patio Lights Ideas & Tips

1
Patio Lights Ideas Tips

• You see them everywhere. They are one of the
  draws for restaurants in warm weather climates,
  and if you have one with your home, you realize
  the joys of dining there yourself. There is no
  equal to an alfresco dinner on your own patio.
  That dinner will have to be held during the day,
  though, unless you have patio lights installed.
  There are a myriad of choices to match your
  specific tastes and practical needs. With all of
  the available options, choosing the right  patio
  lights might seem like a daunting task, but with
  a bit of expert guidance and advice, you will be
  able to find the best lighting fixtures to create
  your own outdoor dining oasis.

2

• What is your specific patio type? Some people
  have coverings over theirs, while others have
  those which more closely resemble open air decks.
  Depending upon the covering, or lack thereof, you
  have for your patio, you will need different
  fixtures for your lights. How you intend to use
  it will also determine the types of patio lights
  you will need. These are just some of the
  criteria you will need to examine before you
  begin your selection. The more considerations you
  have prior to choosing your lights, the easier it
  will be because you will have a clearer picture
  in your mind of exactly what you need. It is
  recommended that you draw a diagram and sketch in
  where you want lights and show the direction and
  amount of space they will illuminate. If you show
  this schematic to an expert, he will be able to
  tell you precisely the patio lights you will
  need.

3

• Many people like to host outdoor dinners on their
  patios during the summer, and nothing cries
  summer louder than the juicy taste of a hamburger
  or hot dog fresh off a barbecue grill. You will
  need to be able to see what you are cooking, and
  that is why barbecue lights are such popular
  additions to patios. There are many ways to
  illuminate your grill as you cook. These attach
  directly to the grill so that there are no other
  fixtures you will need to install, but while
  these lights will show you the food while you are
  cooking it, they do nothing to illuminate other
  areas away from the barbecue grill. You will
  still need additional patio lights.

4

• For the rest of your patio, you might want to
  consider brick or step lights. These do not need
  fixtures such as poles or posts since they
  install directly into either your stairs or the
  bricks on the side of your house. Whatever you
  choose, you will want  patio lights that are low
  voltage if you are to install them by yourself
  without professional assistance. Low voltage
  lighting both saves you money and it is safer for
  you to work with since it cannot deliver the
  fatal shocks that can be gotten from accidents
  through installing high voltage lights. Ask an
  expert if you are still not certain about what
  types of lights you will need.

5

• Choosing and installing these lights is not
  difficult to do if you have a basic knowledge of
  electricity, but if you need assistance in
  finding the best patio lights for your outdoor
  project, it would be best to ask an expert who
  will help to guide you through the steps for the
  selection and installation of these dramatic
  lights.