When the weather’s nice, entertaining the family means backyard BBQs, stargazing, and nights by the pool. But as the sun sets, you want your space to stay safe. You also want to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re gathering outside at home or embarking on an outdoor adventure, the family’s safety and comfort are top priorities.
Simply put, you need a way to see in the dark. Lighting solutions, of course, are a way to safely enjoy your outdoor activities. However, you may want to know which options are sustainable and secure to use. Let’s explore some of them now.
Flashlights
So, you’ve decided to take the family on a camping trip. You’re going to be hiking the trails, cooking s’mores, and sleeping under the stars. But you want to rely on more than moon and star power to light your way. Simultaneously, you need a light source small enough to toss in your backpack.
An LED flashlight is strong enough to illuminate your surroundings. There are pocket versions for ultimate portability, and some come with built-in rechargeable power banks. For added convenience, some smaller flashlights will attach to your keychain. When you’re off the grid, you’ll have a reliable power source for reading, cooking outdoors, and navigating any campsite.
LED flashlights can also help if you’re enjoying a summer concert together. Maybe you’ve packed a light dinner to enjoy while relaxing on a blanket. A flashlight helps you pack everything back up and make your way to the car once the concert’s over. While some areas have good public lighting, you don’t want to leave it to chance.
Post Cap Lights
Do you have a deck, outdoor stairs, or a porch with a railing? These structures are opportunities to integrate post cap lights. These are lighting features that are installed along the edges of a deck or deck stairwell. If your porches and patios have railings with posts, these lights can also illuminate those edges.
Since post cap lights become a part of the structure, they automatically increase visibility as it gets dark. Everyone can see where the stairs start and end. They can also tell where the edge of the deck or porch is. You can choose between softer white or blue hues. If you want to brighten up the entire seating area, go for something stronger.
Post cap lights come in LED and solar options if you’re concerned about sustainability. Solar lights work best if your deck gets plenty of sunshine during the day. Think west and south-facing structures. If your area is more shaded, LEDs provide the longevity and energy efficiency you’re looking for.
Pathway Lights
If you want to get creative with your outdoor space, pathway lights are the way to go. While you can stick with a more traditional look, there are so many varieties to let your personality shine. What’s great about path lighting is that you can install it along paths, outdoor stairs, patio slabs, and gardens.
You can accent parts of your landscape while ensuring key areas of your outdoor space stay lit. Some options don’t take a pro to get up and running. You can buy a set of path lights that go into the ground with a stake. During the warmer months when the ground isn’t frozen, installation is a simple project the kids can help with.
If you want to get colorful, go with multi-color options. Some bulbs will change colors when lit, while other sets won’t stick to the conventional white or yellow. There will be a variety of hues within the set, so you can arrange the different colors as you’d like. Many of the DIY sets take advantage of solar power, but there are non-solar options if you’re concerned about performance.
Decorative Lanterns
If flexibility is top of mind, decorative lanterns can be a good solution for outdoor lighting. You don’t have to make them a permanent fixture. If you’re renting, you can set lanterns on top of tables, deck railings, and patio slabs. Take them back indoors when you’re done with your activities. You can also take them with you once you move to a different residence.
On the other hand, you can also hang decorative lanterns in strategic areas. Put them on the walls that line your patio, deck, or outdoor balcony. Lanterns also add a unique touch, especially if you’re drawn to historical charm.
However, today’s lanterns are a tad safer than what people used in the past. No wick candles or fire hazards to worry about. Today’s versions use solar lights and come in waterproof varieties. You’ll also find options with LED bulbs and flameless, battery-powered candles. Some lanterns illuminate patterns onto walkways to add an even more decorative ambiance.
Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space
You don’t need the sun to be shining to enjoy outdoor time with the family. Secure and sustainable lighting solutions keep the fun going as long as you can. Portable options like LED flashlights are ideal when you’re out in the woods or off the grid. Flashlights also help when power may not be accessible, including during outages. Other choices, like pathway lights, keep your exterior spaces illuminated once the sun sets, letting your family safely play outdoors.
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