A deck has become the medium for outdoor living as we have come to know it. When first building a deck, most homeowners daydream of it being the place where they will take their first sip of coffee and say their final goodnight after a successful evening of hosting. But the key to making your deck the perfect setting for nighttime entertaining is achieving the perfect lighting. Below we will discuss where to place your deck lighting for maximum ambient impact.
Step Lighting
Step Lighting is the most obvious lighting position for a deck. No one wants to risk a guest breaking their neck trying to navigate down dark stairs. These are most commonly installed on stair risers and at the outer edges of a deck. If your deck has wide steps, you’ll want to install at least two lights per tread, ideally spaced between three and six feet apart. These lights should be subtle, not distracting, and barely noticeable in the light of day.
Tape Lighting
LED tape light strips Are flexible strips with tiny LED lights embedded in them. These are ideal for use under stair treads, railings, or to highlight the outline or architectural details in a deck. They are also available in a wide range of colors allowing you to change them with the mood or season.
Ambient Lights
Ambient lights are used around your deck to give the space the appearance of a subtle glow. These are most commonly used on the exterior walls of your home, deck posts, or to highlight features on your deck such as columns. These features are a decorative accent that, like their name, helps to create a particular ambiance in your outdoor space.
Like anything when you’re renovating, lighting your deck will largely depend on how you plan to use it. Choose lighting that, first and foremost, keeps your guests and family safe and helps to create the environment that you seek to enjoy the space in. Consider how the lighting will look from different angles, particularly from angles of low seating. get help with all of your deck designing and lighting needs from the experts at Fairview Millwork and Kitchens. There you can see decking samples and plan your light strategy based on the size and shape of your deck.
