This week, we once again had to “fall back” as Daylight Saving Time came to an end. This time of year typically has wonderful weather for outdoor living in most areas of the country — no more hot steamy nights, yet not quite cold enough to send everyone scurrying indoors for warmth. But in order to take full advantage of your outdoor living space once the clock has been turned back, it’s time to invest in outdoor lighting. Here are some of our favorite modern ideas for illuminating your outdoor living space.
Illuminated planters
Flower pot by day, light source by night, illuminated planters are a chic and modern way to shed a little light on your outdoor living space. Outdoor-rated LED illuminated pots are available from a number of retailers in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Or for the DIY-er, a quick browse through Pinterest will help you generate unlimited ideas for your own unique creations.
Pendant lights
Today’s trendy outdoor living rooms and kitchens emulate the look of their indoor counterparts. One of the easiest ways to create an indoor look for an outdoor room is to install outdoor-rated pendant lights over bars, coffee tables, and dining areas. With thousands of fixtures available, design options are endless. In addition, the nature of designing outdoors allows for bolder, and more creative choices.
Hardscape lighting
If you’re planning to install pavers, garden walls, or Belgard Elements kitchen or fireplace units, be sure to plan a lighting scheme prior to installation. Low voltage lighting can be affixed directly into the hardscapes during installation to provide attractive ambient lighting throughout your outdoor living areas.
String lights
Nothing says “outdoor entertaining” like string lights. From bare bulbs to Japanese lanterns, today’s string lights are available in a variety of motifs that complement any outdoor living design scheme and add a festive atmosphere any time of year. To put up permanent string lights, consider having an electrician install outlets into the eaves of soffits and porches with a conveniently located light switch to turn everything on or off at once.
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4 comments
Great ideas, but it would help to know where one can order these items (i.e. the lighted plant pots) from, in areas where no “Belgard” business is located… ???
There are a number of online retailers that sell the illuminated planters. Wayfair.com and Walmart.com both have a selection.
I had a kitchen installed a couple of of years ago. One of the wall light is not working. Not sure if it is the lightbulb or the fixture. How do I replace the lightbulbs? If that doesn’t work, where do we find the replacements/parts? How do I get repair service for the light fixtures that comes with this product?
It’s probably the bulb. They twist and “unlock” and should come out easily. You should be able to get a replacement bulb at a hardware store. If that doesn’t work, it’s probably a corroded connection, in which case it may need to be redone – a relatively easy fix still. Try the bulb first. If that doesn’t do the trick, contact the contractor who did the installation.