What to Illuminate on a Deck

Deck lighting can be practical and used for safety purposes, shine on an outdoor dining area, used at different levels–on steps, along railings–and to highlight landscaping, architectural features or a pool, spa or fountain. It can also create a certain mood or atmosphere for special occasions.

Step and deck path lights have a distinct function: to safely illuminate traffic throughout the deck and yard. They also help to enhance the view from indoors at night.

Call an Electrician or DIY?

Unless you have worked with lighting before, it’s best to work with an electrician. Most outdoor lighting is low voltage, using 12 volts of electricity. A transformer will be needed to power down the 120-volt current indoors to 12 volts outdoors. But before buying one, you will need to figure out how many outdoor lights will be attached, plus their wattage. A suitable transformer will be able to handle your current wattage needs along with an estimated 25 to 50 more so it isn’t operating at full capacity and it will be able to handle more wattage if you add more landscaping lights in the future.

Many modern fixtures use LED bulbs, which are energy and cost efficient. Solar lighting has improved but is usually not strong or reliable enough to provide adequate illumination.

Types of Fixtures

The most popular types of deck lighting and areas to illuminate include:

• Steps: The best fixtures include surface mounts, flush mounts, path lights, and weatherproof LED strip lights.
• Well, Spot, or Uplights: These can illuminate paths, create drama by highlighting plant forms, etc. 
• Downlights: Designed to be anchored to walls, eaves, patio roofs, or trees.
• Balusters: Illuminated balusters for railings (balustrades) designed to replace existing balusters or be installed during new deck construction.
• Post caps and rail lights: Decorative lighting fixtures that can be attached to posts or rails.

Mounted and installed lighting are ideal options, but other light source possibilities can either bolster established light or create a more subtle approach, such as string lights, candles, tiki torches, lanterns, or solar powered lights.

Style

While most landscape lighting is contemporary and works with a variety of architectural styles, specialty fixtures are available for certain types, like colonial, craftsman, Mediterranean, and midcentury modern. When it comes to lighting, resist the urge to go for an eclectic look, unless it reflects the character of your home’s interior and exterior.