Once summer finally rolls around, Canadians are ready to make the most of every minute, and installing outdoor lighting is a great way to keep the festivities going long after sunset. There are many lighting options—from string lights to spotlights—and knowing what you want to achieve is the first step in deciding what to buy. Are you looking for ambiance during dinner alfresco? Do you want to make a pathway visible? Is security your priority? These outdoor lighting ideas will make the most of your space—whether it’s a backyard garden, deck, balcony or something in between.
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1Outdoor Lighting Types
Outdoor lighting can be useful for different tasks and some types check off multiple boxes.
Decorative lighting: This type is generally for ambiance rather than bright illumination.
Landscape lighting: This type of lighting can improve visibility, while also highlighting beautiful design elements.
Security lighting: These lights usually have motion sensors and illuminate dark areas of entry to the house, like side and garage doors.
String Lights
Outdoor string lights are used to create a warm and intimate ambiance that’s perfect for entertaining.
Features to look for:
- Rechargeable batteries or solar power: String lights that don’t need to be set up close to an outlet are more versatile.
- Shatterproof bulbs: A strong wind may tussle your string lights. Bulbs encased in a metal or plastic casing are more durable.
- Length: Check how many feet the string will cover (and how many bulbs it includes). You may need to purchase multiple strands to cover the area or create the effect you want.
- Flexible wire: A malleable wire that runs along the string makes it easy to bend the lights into a specific shape or wrap around trees or railings.
- Waterproofing: Any light that will get rained on should be made specifically for the outdoors and be listed as waterproof.
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Ceiling Lights
Outdoor ceiling lights are typically installed over a covered patio or deck to illuminate common areas where you hang out with the kids or entertain.
Features to look for:
- Shape: Square or rectangular pendant lanterns are a more traditional style, while ceiling lights with a shade are more modern.
- Dimming ability: Dimmable lights can be brightened if you’re reading or playing a board game and dimmed for a romantic dinner.
- LED bulbs: While more expensive upfront, LED lights last longer and consume less energy.[1]
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Pathway Lights
Pathway lighting helps you and guests safely navigate walkways, while also highlighting pretty stone or mulch paths.
Features to look for:
- Solar power: These energy-saving versions require no wires and stay bright for several hours after dusk. If you opt for low-voltage lights instead, you’ll need to use a transformer to reduce the 120-volt house current to 12 volts.[2]
- Stake installation: This installation method is fast and easy, plus it allows you to move the lights if needed.
- Waterproofing: It’s pretty much a necessity for any outdoor light, but especially one that’s on the ground.
- Motion sensors: If you’re mainly using the lighting for visibility when walking along a path, a motion sensor will ensure that the lights are on when you need them and off when you don’t.
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Spotlights
Spotlighting, also known as “up-lighting,” is installed at or above ground level and shines a narrow beam of light upwards to showcase a tree, plant or ornamental feature.
Features to look for:
- Adjustable beam angle: This feature allows you to widen the beam to spread the light, or narrow it if you prefer.
- Timer: Instead of turning the lights on and off each night, you can set a timer to control them—even when you’re out of town.
- Waterproofing or weather-sealing: You won’t be bringing these indoors lights every time it rains, so you need them to be able to withstand the weather.
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Wall Sconces and Lanterns
Wall sconces and lanterns are installed on the exterior of your home to improve visibility in recessed areas often covered in shadows. They may also highlight architectural details.
Features to look for:
- Open-bottom design: This type of wall sconce will cast the maximum amount of light downward onto the area below.[4]
- Semi-flush mount: This design attaches to a narrow arm that’s mounted to a plate on the wall and usually requires less wall surface area (perfect for narrow walls or pillars).
- Translucent glass cover: This type of glass helps diffuse the light, whereas a clear glass cover may give off glare and be too harsh on the eyes at night.[5]
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Deck Lights
The main purpose of deck lighting is to provide a clear and visible path for you and guests to walk across the deck at night and safely navigate stairs. They can be installed on top of posts, along banisters or right into the floor or steps.
Features to look for:
- Solar power: If your deck is in the sun, those rays provide an easier source of power than batteries or hardwiring.
- Waterproofing or weather-sealing: Protect your lights from water damage in the summer and winter.
- LED bulbs: LED is the best option to reduce energy consumption and it also has the longest lifespan, so you won’t need to replace the bulbs very often.
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Flood Lights
Often the brightest type of backyard lighting, flood lights are installed in high spots like the eaves to illuminate large areas and scare off potential burglars or destructive animals.
Features to look for:
- Motion sensors: The bright lights will only turn on if built-in sensors detect movement.
- Automatic shutoff: After a certain amount of time has passed, the lights will turn back off unless they sense more movement.
- Weather-sealing: Look for the words “all-season,” “weatherproof” or “weather-sealed” to ensure that your lights will work all year round.
- LED bulbs: For longevity, choose LED bulbs.
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2Lumens
Lumens are a measure of the total amount of light coming from a bulb. The higher the lumen number, the brighter and more intense the light.[6]
The number of lumens you need all depends on the purpose of your outdoor lighting and where it’s located. This table will help you determine how many lumens you need.
| Light Types | Lumen Count |
| Step lights | 12 to 100 |
| Hardscape lights (on walls) | 50 to 185 |
| Landscape lights | 50 to 300 |
| Path lights | 100 to 300 |
| Pond or pool lights | 200 to 400 |
| Motion-sensor lights | 300 to 700 |
| Flood lights | 700 to 1,300 |
Note: String lights are mostly decorative, providing more ambiance or mood lighting. Most will emit fewer lumens than a wall light.
3UL Listing
Outdoor lighting that requires an electrical source will have been tested and rated by an independent product safety certification organization like Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, which gives products like light fixtures a UL or cUL listing. This rating lets you know where it’s safe to install that fixture when it comes to dampness.
- UL Listed for Damp Locations (Damp Rated): This product can be installed in an exterior location that might be exposed to condensation or moisture (think under a covered patio or porch).
- UL Listed for Wet Locations (Wet Rated): This product is safe for open-air decks and patios, exterior walls, walkways and so on.[7]
4Power Source
There are four main types of power sources when it comes to outdoor lighting.
- Solar: Solar-powered lights are a great energy-saving option if you can place the light or solar panel in an area that gets plenty of sunshine during the day.
- Low voltage: These lights are energy-efficient and reduce the risk of injury from electrical shock, meaning they’re more pet-friendly if someone likes to chew wires or cords!
- Line voltage: This reliable and strong power source can provide unlimited, bright light for extended periods of time. It may require an electrician to directly install the lighting.
- Battery: Rechargeable battery-powered lighting is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t need to be set up close to a power source.
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Article Sources
- HGTV. Outdoor Lighting Tips for Beginners.
- Bob Vila. The Best Ways to Light the Backyard.
- Bob Vila. The Best Ways to Light the Backyard.
- Bob Vila. The Best Ways to Light the Backyard.
- This Old House. Front Porch Lights: From A to Z.
- Integral LED. What Are Lumens?
- Lumens. UL Listings for Lights and Ceiling Fans.
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