Brighten Up Your Night with the Perfect Patio Lights

There are some great options on the market for patio lights, from recessed surface lighting to patio umbrella light strings. Which patio lights will light up your life?

Patio Umbrella and String Lights

Two of the simplest types of patio lights to install are umbrella and string lights. The new rope lights are a delight to twine around banisters, run along stair edges, or decorate eaves. To install rope lights, there's a handy tool called a cable tie.

Patio umbrella lights are relatively new and are coming in several varieties. Most patio umbrella light sets come with the suggested hardware fixtures. Some will clip to the umbrella spines while others secure to the center pole.

Stake or Pedestal Patio Lights and Torches

These patio lights are a snap to install--just press a sharpened stake base into the ground. Torches have a very strong ambience and appeal to those who are also interested in burning citronella to fend off mosquitoes. Currently there are many varieties of stake lights that are equipped with solar cells. This makes installation as easy as pressing the light into the ground.

Recessed and Mounted Patio Lights

This type of patio lighting is by far the most reliable and lasting. However, since both of these types of lighting require electrical wiring, it's strongly advised that you hire a qualified contractor to install them for you. Specially-designed recessed lighting can be installed in patio floors or under the eaves of your house. Mounted fixtures can be placed anywhere and come in a wide selection of styles.

No matter which patio lights you choose, you'll enjoy evenings on your patio much more while basking in their glow.