Design 101 - How to Light a Space

Beautiful Living Style

Like any room in your house your outdoor space will have similar lighting requirements for maximum enjoyment after dark.

Adam Kuehl and Chia Chong

To start your outdoor living lighting plan, write a list of activities the space is used for and refer to this when selecting your light fixtures. Most spaces require some sort of task lighting, for reading, studying or game playing. For example, if you are lighting an outdoor living room, place floor or table lamps beside seating areas.

Just like an interior room outdoor spaces can get dark spots.  Brighten up dark parts of a space, such as the corners, with floor lamps. Install more than one light source in each space. For example, you may have the ability to install an overhead outdoor light but add secondary lighting with a table or floor lamp for task lighting in the seating area.

Material Girls

Wendi Young

Purchase lights that create the right atmosphere in the room. Keep bright lights in high activity areas such as your outdoor kitchen, lower light decorative overhead lighting in your outdoor dining room and even softer light in your outdoor living area using floor and table lamps. Don't overlook decorative ambient lighting too.  This is light that isn't appropriate for tasks such as reading or game playing but adds a soft glow and decorative touch to an outdoor space.

Click here for more information on how to light a space.