C LO S E TO H O M E
Illuminate your DIY approach to brightening your backyard By Shelley Sakala
A
typical backyard project goes like this: The hardscape is laid. The greenery is planted. The furniture is delivered. But there’s something missing— something you might not notice until the sun goes down: the lighting. An oft-overlooked backyard feature is the lighting design. Truth be told, outdoor lighting is all too often just an afterthought. A typical house includes a single carriage lamp on the outside wall that gives off sub-par lighting—not exactly conducive to “outdoor living.” And if you were a kid in the 1970s, chances are your backyard lighting consisted of an eye-blinding floodlight that could light up an entire prison yard. But there’s no need to settle for a 60-watt bulb as your sole source of patio light, nor must you endure maximum security illumination while you’re chilling out back. In fact, there have never been more choices than there are right now for creating a mood and atmo-
sphere outside. If you have the inclination (and the budget), it might be worthwhile to hire a lighting design company to show you possibilities you never even knew existed. But if you already have a vision for your lighting strategy, you can absolutely take the DIY approach. To get you started, here are five of the most popular approaches to lighting up the night.
Strip lighting
LED strip lighting is one of the most versatile light sources available. It’s budget-friendly, energy-efficient and ready to be installed almost anywhere. The bendable strips of light can be hung underneath bar counters, beneath patio furniture and even along walkways and paths. It makes stairways safer and barbecue islands more user-friendly. Strip lighting looks best when used as an indirect light source, creating a soft glow. Pro tip: Use judiciously, lest your patio ends up looking like an ’80s nightclub.
String lighting
As popular as White Claws (but easier
to find). Perhaps no modern light source has caught on as quickly in recent years as string lights. If you’ve ever watched “The Bachelor,” you know an outdoor party just isn’t the same without a few well-placed strands of string lights overhead. The best part about string lighting is expert installation is not required. They’re actually supposed to look casually hung up. Think “Italian villa” meets “rustic romantic.” Before purchasing, however, you might want to double-check the CC&Rs of your homeowners association. Some neighborhood rulebooks prohibit this type of lighting, no matter how tastefully it’s done (a preventative measure against year-round Christmas lights).
Pendant lighting
Take the best of the indoors and bring it outdoors! There’s no reason your patio table can’t be illuminated by a low-hanging pendant light fixture like you’ll find in today’s kitchens and dining rooms. It will make your outdoor space cozy and inviting. The choices are limitless, with materials and designs ranging from metals to wovens to industrials to modern. And just like indoor lights, you can control the color, temperature and brightness with an array of special bulbs. Frosted? Tinted? Clear? Edison? It’s your world! You may need a professional electrician to handle the installation, but the results will be well worth the investment.
Umbrella lighting
By day, it provides shade. By night, it provides light. The traditional patio umbrella has evolved. Manufacturers are now offering models that include battery-powered and even solar-powered lighting beneath the umbrella canopy. Rather than collapsing your
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85085 | FEBRUARY 2020