Designer deck lighting ideas for homes in New Zealand

If you have a deck or want to install one, there are various design aspects you need to consider. One crucial factor is how you'll supply light to your deck. For some reason, this often comes as an afterthought but it should be very much a part of the initial plans. There are some great outdoor deck lighting ideas to take inspiration from so you can start thinking about it from the outset.

If you have a railing around the edge of your deck, this can be a great way to add ambient lighting to the whole area. You can simply remove a standard deck post cap, and replace it with one that has a light built into it. These will provide plenty of light and are among the least intrusive options available.

A pergola is a common deck addition, and it's the perfect place to add some outdoor lighting. Such overhead lighting can be very practical, and can also improve the overall aesthetic of your deck. There are various types of lights you can add to a pergola, such as string lights or mounted light fixtures.

While this isn't common in many homes, decks can look great with inground floor lighting. Like post-cap lighting, these don't take up any extra space but can make a huge impact on the overall feel of your deck. You can also use these as a kind of pathway lighting to highlight the route to your pool, for example.

Mounted wall lights can be used if you're after something permanent. You can place outdoor wall sconces on your exterior walls to create an inviting atmosphere. These are great for illuminating dark corners, and you can use them to highlight other elements and features that are high up.

Pendant lights are typically seen indoors but can work just as well outdoors. Minimalist outdoor pendants can provide plenty of light, but won't distract from the rest of the scenery. Just note that your deck will need to be below a roof or a pergola if you want to install these.

Related article: 13 types of light fixtures and how to use them

LED string lights are a very popular idea for lighting outdoor spaces. They're a versatile lighting option, so you can adjust or remove them whenever you want. Plenty of types and styles also make this one of the most flexible lighting solutions available.

You can hang string lights from a pergola, along railings, posts or even around other features that you'd like to highlight. If you feel like you want to make a change, this often takes just minutes. However, the impact of these lights is their best trait. Hundreds of lights, shining in unison are nothing short of magical.

If you have enough deck space for an outdoor umbrella, this gives you another furnishing you can decorate with light. This can be ideal for brightening up a seating area that is away from the main source of ambient light. It is also a mobile lighting fixture that gives you some freedom and flexibility to place light where you need it.

Solar deck lights are great if you want to avoid relying on a power source. Not only will this save you money on your utility bills, but they’re better for the environment. You can place solar landscaping lights along the edge of a walkway towards your deck so that people can easily see it at night.

Solar lights will typically use an LED deck lighting bulb rather than a traditional one. As they last much longer, you won't have to worry about changing bulbs regularly, making them practically maintenance-free.

While it's common to place lights on walls, roofs, railings, and pergolas, you could go with another option. If your deck has surrounding trees, you can use string or pendant lights or shine spotlights on them. This will create a much more natural aesthetic, and the lights will highlight the silhouettes of the trees with a soft glow. This will create a great ambience for your deck area and some natural visual depth for people to appreciate.

When considering different outdoor light ideas for decking, safety should be a factor. A deck with stairs presents a potential hazard, so keeping them well-lit is a good idea. You can install recessed deck lighting in the steps so that it's clear where they are.

Post cap lights can be used in the posts of your railing, or you could install lights on the deck railing itself. You can attach fixtures directly to the railing, and there are plenty of styles you can go with. Solar-powered lights are also a good option here so that you won't need to worry about a power source, and you can set them to come on automatically when it gets dark. By highlighting your railing at night, you’ll create an illuminated frame and border around your deck that can provide a pleasing aesthetic structure.

If your deck doesn't have many places you can add fixtures or hang lights, floor and table lamps can be a great solution. While some people prefer more permanent lighting, lamps have some benefits.

You can move them about freely whenever you want, depending on how your deck is being used. If you want to make any changes, it's much easier to add or remove lamps than it is with wall fixtures or pendant lights. The lamps themselves can also be quite stylish adding a great design element to your deck’s decor. Some are even battery operated giving you even greater flexibility.

Related article: How to choose a floor lamp: 7 great tips

Depending on your deck design, you might have various other interesting features, such as a fireplace, unusual plants, or unique seating. You can use lighting to make these stand out. Spotlights can be a great option for this as you can usually direct its light exactly where you want it. Track lights are another option if you have an overhang you can use.

Related article: What is track lighting? Types, costs, ideas and more

Versatility has been a common theme to many of these great deck lighting ideas because of the way our outdoor spaces (and our use of them) evolve over time due to seasonal changes, our own personal preferences and more. Options like portable hanging lights are great in this context as they can be used in so many different ways. They can be hung off walls, architectural features, ceiling fixtures, trees and more. As a result, you'll never not be able to use one in a way that suits your needs.

As you can see, there's a wide range of ways you can set up your deck lighting. The deck lighting ideas showcased merely scratch the surface of what’s possible which is what makes it really exciting. Be sure to take both style and function into account when making your decisions so you end up with something that's both practical and sophisticated. That way you’ll be getting the most out of the lighting solution that you and others can enjoy for many years to come.

(This article was updated on 4th December 2024)

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