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Variations In Outdoor Patio Lighting

Wed, 19 May 2010 02:02:47 +0000

Patios may come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is clear: any patio space can benefit from the addition of outdoor patio lights. The reason for this is simply that a dark and dreary outdoor space can be an unpleasant place to be. Lighting, whether it be for function or decoration, is better than none at all. What some people don’t realize is that it doesn’t take an electrician and thousands of dollars to create an amazing lighted patio. Many outdoor light fixtures run on solar power and can be placed directly into the yard. Lights that are wired can often be plugged into a wall outlet nearby. With so many types of outdoor patio lights available, choosing which ones you like best can be more difficult than the installation. Most people use a combination of different light fixtures to achieve the look they want. This guide covers different types of outdoor patio lighting such as lanterns, string outside lights, table lights and more.

Lanterns

Patio lights modeled after lanterns can add a wonderfully quaint charm to a patio. Classical lanterns come in many forms ranging from string lights to table-top models. One of my favorite lanterns lights are the solar powered ones that hang on a Sheppard’s hook. These patio lanterns can be placed in any soft ground by sticking the metal hook into it. The lantern hangs on the hook, emitting a soft candle-like glow in the yard. Patio lanterns often have yellowish glass or plastic panes to create filtered yellow light which simulated the light from a candle. Some lanterns go a step further and create a flickering effect from the light bulb inside. Table-tops lanterns are a great way to instantly light up a table. Eating an outdoor dinner in the presence of a surreal lantern light makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

String Lights

String lights are one of the most versatile types of outdoor patio lighting because they can be placed just about anywhere. Whether you hang them from a tree or from your patio awning, string lights are extremely flexible in their placement options. Patio string lights consist of a long cord with multiple light emplacements on its length. Each light bulb is enclosed within a decorative cover. These covers are made from plastic or rubber and allow light to filter through. Covers range widely in designs from glass rainbow spheres to themed covers like butterflies or flowers. As expected, solar powered versions are available which use a solar panel at one end to power the entire string. People have found many creative ways to use string outdoor patio lighting, including hanging them on trees and draping them over doorways and even gazebos.

Ground Lights

Patio lighting can extend far beyond he most widely used areas of your patio. Out in the yard, ground lights can light the way by bordering paths, gardens, flower beds, sidewalks and more. ground lights are typically composed of a stake with a light pod on top. Solar powered ground lights have a solar panel which sits on top of the light pod. Wired ground lights require a bit more work during installation, such as the routing of underground wires. Most homeowners choose the solar powered ground lights for their ease of use, power efficiency and lightning quick installation time. Ground lights add safety and security to a patio by clearly defining the boundaries in a yard so users can avoid obstacles. The largest kinds of in-ground mounts are outdoor pole lights. These mounts are often permanently fixed into the ground with concrete. They are often very tall and imposing structures in a yard.

Umbrella Lights

If you have a patio umbrella, there are additional lighting options available to you. Patio umbrellas can be equipped with special lights the clip onto the umbrella frame, effectively lighting the table underneath. This type of outdoor patio light is not widely used yet, most likely because many people are not aware of them. Umbrella outdoor patio lighting is a great way to add an unexpected charm to a patio environment. The lights clip on easily and last for many years (LED models).

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Backyard Illumination With Patio Lights

Sun, 16 May 2010 06:29:38 +0000

The basic light fixtures that come built into a home are often not sufficient enough to provide proper lighting. Yards and gardens can be expansive places, requiring several types of lights to achieve the right look and feel. Many types of patio lights exist which serve the dual purpose of being decorative and functional. For example, patio string lights are a classy and fun way to add lighting to unexpected areas like bushed and patio awnings. Umbrella lights add functional lighting to a patio umbrella to result in a classy and surreal look. Homeowners often choose to incorporate several types of patio lights to achieve their creative vision. Lighting up the night doesn’t have to be a chore if you know what you’re looking for. This guide intends to inform readers of the many types of patio lights available today.

Animal and Floral Themed Lights

We’ll start off with a more exotic type of patio light. Many patio light systems are modeled in the likeness of whimsical and colorful plants and animals. A cute butterfly or delicate tulip can be the perfect addition to a garden or yard. Whether you line them up along a path or stagger them in your fauna for a more natural look, these lights add a decorative flair to an otherwise bland and dark environment. For example, a set of tulip light stakes is on the market which come in the colors of red, purple and yellow. Place them within a flower bed to create a lighted flower garden at night. If animals are more your thing, check out the Smart Solar ladybug lights. These cute ladybugs come with four light in the pack and glow bright red in the dark. No wiring is necessary, as a single solar panel generates the power needed to light them up. Floating lights modeled after fish are a cool way to light up a pool. These are just a few of the many animal and plant shaped lights available.

Patio String Lights

String lights are a creative way to add lighting to unexpected areas like bushes and patio awnings. String lights have a series of light bulbs along a powered cord that have a decorative cover over them. The light shines through these decorative covers to produce amazing colors and designs. One popular kind of string lights are the ones with Asian paper lantern covers. These covers come in shapes like squares and spheres and usually are folded in an accordion style. You can find patio string lights with covers ranging from pink flamingos to color changing butterflies. These lights are hung from a series of hooks or clips, or simply placed over a bush or in a tree. Some models are specifically designed for patio awnings.

Patio Umbrella Lights

If you have a patio umbrella or plan on getting one, don’t forget that you can light them up with patio umbrella lights. These lights connect to your umbrella to provide light to the table or sitting area underneath. This is an unexpected and creative way to add functional and decorative outdoor patio lighting to your yard. Patio umbrella lights come in two type- one that attaches to the umbrella’s pole and the other which connects to each vein of the umbrella. Some models are solar powered, meaning that they don’t require an unsightly extension cord to operate. Solar patio lights are the easiest and quickest way to add lighting to a yard. Solar umbrella lights are ready to use right out of the box.

Walkway and Path Lights

Perhaps the most frequently used type of patio light are the ones intended for walkways, garden paths and for lining borders. Walkway lights have a more functional and professional feel than the themed lights discussed earlier. Users typically line these lights up at equal intervals to define boundaries in their yard while making it safer. When used as outdoor garden lights, users line the fixtures up along their garden border or even stagger them within the shrubbery. Styles range from modernistic stainless steel to more homely lantern style. Solar powered models are extremely popular because they can be stuck into the ground right out of the box. Low voltage patio lights require a power cord and transformer for operation which can be considerably more difficult to install. A combination of the above patio light choices is usually the best way to express creativity while creating a functional patio environment.

Related Posts:

Patio-type lights are closely related to backyard lighting, and many light fixtures can be considered proper in both categories.

Frequently used on walkways, pathways and driveways, walkway lighting fixtures enhance safety and visibility at night.

Do you want to own a lighted umbrella without the hassle of installation? If you buy a solar patio umbrella, you get the luxury of having the lights already installed.

Solar patio lighting fixtures take the hassle out of lighting a yard since no wiring is needed during installation.

Garden Lighting

Rustic Outdoor Lighting For Your Cabin

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:49:10 +0000

Are you tired of being kept in the dark every time you want to enjoy a night outdoors at your cabin? There are several different styles of Rustic outdoor lighting that you can use in your country setting so that you will be able to enjoy a nighttime meal or just have a well lit area so that you can see where you are going when you want to take a walk around your yard. When you are choosing rustic outdoor lights it is important to keep in mind what style and design you want to have because you will come across several options to choose from.

If you are choosing outdoor lighting for your cabin in the mountains you will find several great designs to match your surroundings. You can choose from a light with a shade on it that is designed with lithographs of different types of animals that will be displayed when the light shines through the shade. This will give your outdoor area a great look that will match perfectly with your cabin.

You can also find different types of shades with the same type of design that are holiday related. You may be interested in one that has pine trees displayed that will help you to get into the Christmas spirit if you are going to be spending the holidays in your cabin.

You will also find several different materials that the lighting fixtures are made from to give your cabin a different look. You can find rustic outdoor lighting that is constructed of bronze that will give your cabin a strong rustic look. These lights are also very durable and are able to withstand the outdoor woods conditions that they are placed in.

If you have a covered patio or porch outside of your cabin you may want to purchase a floor lamp that is made for indoor or outdoor use. This type of lamp stands tall and will provide you with all of the lighting that you need to be able to enjoy your time outside on your covered porch. You will be able to carry on a conversation with your spouse or sit outside and enjoy some nighttime reading as well as other activities when you have this type of rustic lighting at your cabin.

Most of the lighting that you will find will be lighting that you can install and use as a porch light outside of your home. You will find several different styles of globes with any type of look that you want. You can also find lights that are fixed to a pole that you will be able to install in the ground somewhere in the yard of your cabin. This way you will be able to keep the outside of your cabin well lit so that you can peer outside and see what is going on anytime you like. It is also great for those occasions when you arrive at your cabin during the night. It is always great to have a light so that you will be able to see to make your way to the door.

There are a lot of great options to choose from when you are looking for rustic outdoor lighting for your cabin. If you are someone with designer needs you will be able to find several different types of lights that have great designs for you to choose from. You will also be able to find rustic cabin lighting that will work well for your covered porch or for your yard. No matter which type of rustic light fixtures you are looking for you will be able to find ones that work perfectly to fit your needs.

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If you are looking to buy from a reputable company, consider Minka Lavery. Minka Lavery outdoor lighting comes in many styles, including rustic.

Selecting Outdoor Minka Lights

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:50:09 +0000

Unless your creative juices are flowing, choosing the right outdoor lighting for your home can be a challenge. Styles and quality of outdoor lighting fixtures can vary widely even among individual manufacturers. However, you really can’t go wrong when choosing a fixture from a company called Minka Lavery. Their product line is so lush and unique that it’s hard to make a poor choice. Every fixture has been given special attention, both during the design process and during manufacture. Not only do they have excellent aesthetic appeal, but they are completely safe to be used outdoors. While their product line is extensive, we will talk about a couple specific mount types in the Minka Lavery outdoor line.

Post Mounts

Mounts of this variety are reminiscent of lights used to border streets in towns of the past. Their quaint charm is amplified by the exacting detail put into each one of these mounts. Post mounts are free standing units that can be placed at any desired location. They are UL approved for wet locations, so you don’t have to worry about water damage. A post mount goes well next to seating areas or placed in a garden. The posts can have one or more lights, depending on the style. The Rust Ardmore style features two separate light modules that “hang” from an elegantly curved metal mount. The soft Scavo glass mutes any sharp tones given off by the light bulb and turns it into a soft glow.

Wall Fixtures

Wall fixtures by Minka are brimming with both style and functionality. So many designs are available that it could take a day or more to look at them all, much less decide on which one you like most. When choosing a wall mount, consider the style around the outside of your home and try to match the fixtures color and design with it. If you are starting from scratch with a new home, think about the overall style you are trying to achieve. Striking features are iconic of the Minka lights brand, which is why they stand out so well. Wall fixtures are designed to light entryways or hallways. Since these versions will be used outdoors only, they can be placed at a doorway or on each side of a window. The fixture should be placed just out of reach, as to avoid tampering or accidental damages. Unlike post mounts, Minka outdoor wall fixtures will require some electrical work during installation. It doesn’t take long for one to develop an appreciation for Minka Lavery outdoor lighting, even though their products can be on the expensive side.

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Garden Lighting

Minka Outdoor Lighting

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:17:09 +0000

Quality outdoor lighting solutions can be few and far between. In a world where many goods are manufactured overseas, the quality seems to lack. To ensure that you get what you pay for, it is important to seek out quality manufacturers that stand by their products. This is exactly the case with a company called Minka Lavery. They are a manufacturer of high quality outdoor lighting products, ranging from wall mounts to outdoor lamps. The instant you set eyes on one of these quality pieces, you know that it has been expertly designed. Everything from the textures to the hand blown glass has the feel of quality. Minka outdoor lighting designs are absolutely unique when compared to other brands.

Wall Mounts

Their wall mounts are designed to attach to any vertical wall surface. You commonly see these types of mounts above front or back doors to light the way. Minka lighting fixtures will feel right at home sitting prominently out front for all to see. Each wall mount is assigned a unique name to identify its specific design. For example, the Vintage Rust Harrison style features a charming silver toned rust exterior which looks like it came right out of a story book of days past. The range of amazing designs is truly spectacular, ensuring that anyone can find a great fixture to suit their tastes.

Ceiling Mounts

A ceiling mounted light, often called a flush light, serves a slightly different purpose. These Minka lights attach to an outdoor ceiling such as a patio or archway above a door. Flush mounts often use several light bulbs inside to provide ample lighting to the area. Flush mounts are perfect for lighting up an outdoor dining area or sitting space. Minka Lavery often makes use of a special glass design technique called seeded glass. It gives the appearance that the glass has tiny grains of rice or seed inside. This type of glass gives a very unique touch which is exclusive to Minka Lavery outdoor lighting.

Chain Mounts

The outdoor pendant, or chain mount as it is called, hangs from the ceiling for a very unique look. The chain allows the mount to be brought down to a height that would be more effective. Down at this level the lights can mark the entrance of a door or be placed at the corners of a patio overhang. The power cord is fed discreetly through the chain loops as to not take away from the effect. As usual, you can find a plethora of amazing styles in this Minka outdoor lighting.

Minka Lavery fixtures are designed to be powered through eletrical lines in your wall. If the electrical wiring has not been established in the area you want it, an electrician can do this job for you. At this point in time, Minka Larvery has not branched out to solar lighting, but may do so in the future.

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Garden Lighting