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15 Deck Lighting Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
15 Deck Lighting Ideas to Upgrade Your Space Your deck provides an amazing opportunity to make the most of the great outdoors — but how often do you actually take advantage of it? If you avoid your deck at night due to poor lighting, you’re missing out on the best your outdoor living space has to offer. Proper illumination will make your deck easier and safer to navigate, while also creating ambiance. There are many options for lighting your deck. From subtle recessed solutions to statement fixtures that instantly draw the eye, a variety of approaches allow you to personalize your space as you see fit. Many of the best decking light options are DIY and can be completed at a minimal cost. Find all of the supplies and light fixtures you need at DEKOR lighting, and see our suggestions for which products will help you achieve each look below. Recessed Lights Throughout the Floors With floor-based solutions, lights go beyond aesthetic considerations to also serve a functional purpose. Carefully integrated recessed fixtures throughout the floor bring visibility to your deck without compromising the ambiance. These lights work wonderfully for floating decks, where options for lighting may otherwise be limited. DEKOR’s Dek Dots are the perfect recessed lighting option for the floor of your deck. These small but powerful lights are made to be walked on and are ideal for outdoor use. Stair Lighting for Each Step Stair lights are also highly practical for making decks accessible after dark. Recessed options can be embedded within wood, concrete, and other types of deck stairs to light the way as people ascend or descend. These can be added beneath handrails for a unique look, or placed to your liking. DEKOR makes a version of the Dek Dot specifically for stairs. This light sits at precisely the right angle to illuminate each step, so you will never have to worry about tripping on deck stairs in the dark again. Retaining Wall or Privacy Wall Lights If you have a retaining wall or privacy wall near your deck, lights can add an appealing sense of dimension. While hardscape lights are far easier to install during the initial construction process, they can sometimes be added after the fact. But hardscape lights are not the only solution for outdoor wall lighting. Here are several options for both hardscape and softscape lights to add depth to the walls around your deck: Radiance Multi-Function Lights (RADML). Mounted on a variety of vertical surfaces, these outdoor lights are great for brick and other materials that might otherwise lend themselves poorly to post-construction lighting adjustments. Installation is easy, but robust construction ensures that RADML products are just as durable as the walls on which they’re mounted. Puck lights. These uplights can be placed at the bottom of privacy walls where they blend in effortlessly with help from die-cast aluminum housing. They are available in warm white or in a variety of vibrant colors. These LEDs use less energy than many products, making them a great option if you prioritize energy-efficient solutions. Well lights. Well designs provide an excellent opportunity for uplighting near privacy walls. Removable spikes help to keep these in place, while a discreet design locks attention on the wall and its warm glow, rather than the fixture that provides this illumination. This subtle approach has long made these fixtures a top option for landscape lights. Lined Deck Perimeter If you prefer a simple and straightforward approach to deck lighting, you can line the entire perimeter of your deck with Dek Dots. This will lend a lovely glow to the entire space, as well as plenty of definition. Colored LEDs — available in red, amber, green, and blue — can be excellent for this purpose. If you prefer something a bit simpler and more uniform, try warm white lights, which can be dimmed to create the perfect ambiance. Strip Lighting for the Bar Perhaps your deck includes a bar or outdoor counter space, where you and your loved ones can gather for a nightcap. Level up the ambiance with strip lighting, which can be added below the bar to create a unique sense of atmosphere. This lighting can be especially useful if you want the bar to be a focal point of your deck: strip lights draw attention to the bar without blinding the people sitting nearby. Lighted Post Caps Add a little twinkle to your deck with LED post cap lighting. These weather-proof, durable caps provide the protection you need, along with a low-key source of shine. They are also surprisingly versatile, bringing a great opportunity for adding personality to your deck. DEKOR offers several different types of illuminated post caps, including a solar-powered one. Our post caps come in several different powder coat colors, so you can match the look and feel of the rest of your deck. Different Colors for LED Lighting Add a festive feel to your deck by swapping your standard white bulbs for colorful LED lights. These are great for outdoor parties but can also make quiet evenings outside more enjoyable. Recessed and paver options are especially well-suited to color variations. Recessed Soffit Downlighting Is your primary deck space elevated? Then the space underneath your deck warrants consideration — especially if it includes a second seating area. Enter recessed soffit downlighting, which causes the lamp to cast light directly down. This option could also be considered if your deck features overhead protection. Soffit Flood Light One of the most commonly utilized forms of outdoor illumination, flood lights provide enhanced security for outdoor areas. This type can also promote safe footing as loved ones and guests approach your deck. While you likely won’t want to use flood lights to illuminate the deck itself, their 120° beam angle casts plenty of shine where it’s needed. Soffit spotlights can also be added to deliver visibility to hidden corners. Colored Dek Dots in a Pattern If you have a large deck and are struggling to come up with creative ways to organize the space, try using Dek Dots to deliver a much-needed sense of structure. Colored Dek Dots, in particular, work well for this purpose, as they add instant visual interest. These light fixtures can be placed in a pattern near the center of your deck to break up the space and illuminate areas with flexible furniture or decor arrangements. These can be installed flush with the surface so that they can be walked upon. Plus, they come in four different colors – red, amber, green, and blue – so you can use the color(s) that you prefer. Highlight Nearby Landscaping Are you proud of your garden or the general landscaping in your backyard? Trees, shrubs, and flowers are easy to show off during the day, but this becomes more complicated after dark. Light fixtures can be incorporated near the base of your deck to highlight nearby landscaping features. LED puck lights and landscape spotlights can both be highly effective for this purpose. These can be integrated into a small backyard or used to draw attention to vast expanses of lawn. Additionally, lights located near plants situated further away will provide a lovely view from afar. Many products are specifically designed for landscape, so you should have no trouble finding something that shows off your space. Balusters with Built-in Lights While the primary function of balusters involves safety and support, they also make for a great lighting opportunity. For a stunning source of light, choose balusters with built-in baskets, where LEDs can easily be installed. Single and double-basket configurations are available for extra versatility. Balusters can also be combined with aluminum railing panels to instantly bring a refined look to your deck. They’re even more impressive when LEDs are incorporated. Etched Glass Railing Panels Add an element of artistry to your deck with etched glass railing panels, which can incorporate a personalized monogram or other design. These panels offer unobstructed views during the day and a lovely source of lighting at night. Surprisingly simple to install, these panels require only two wood screws per end cap. Following a quick and easy installation process, your deck will instantly take on the upscale appearance you crave. Accent a Centerpiece Does your deck feature any noteworthy elements such as sculptures or plants? What about a fire pit? Why not show them off? Accent lighting helps direct the eye towards centerpieces and creates focal points, which makes them stand out while also bringing a cohesive feel to the entire deck. Showcase the Pool or Hot Tub What centerpiece could be more impressive or inviting than your pool? If your deck was primarily installed as a means of enjoying the pool, there’s no need to limit the fun or the beauty to the daytime. Lights bring much-needed visibility to features such as steps, ladders, safety equipment, and more. In addition to improving safety, pool deck lights serve an important aesthetic function. Depending on how they’re directed at the water, light beams can bring alluring visual effects to your outdoor space. For a hot tub, safety is still key, but lighting must be carefully implemented to preserve privacy. A hot tub can be a romantic, peaceful place, but not if it’s surrounded by harsh lighting. Create Your Own Space We hope these deck lighting ideas have given you the inspiration needed to brighten your own outdoor space the way you like best. This is your opportunity to accent the areas you love most, while also making your deck as safe and secure as possible. We’re pleased to provide a variety of low voltage LED deck lighting options at DEKOR. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can level up your next outdoor project.
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The 7 Best Garden Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Outdoor Space
No garden is complete without outdoor lighting. Garden lights can be used both for safety purposes – to illuminate walkways through your garden at night – and to highlight your favorite flower beds, water features, and trees. Plus, garden lighting creates an ambiance that brings personality to your yard. You likely spend time and money making sure your garden is well-kept and cared for: why not do the same for your garden lighting? We’ve put together some of our favorite garden lighting ideas, along with recommendations for DEKOR’s own garden lights. We hope these suggestions inspire a new look for your outdoor space. Landscape Spotlights If you’re looking for a way to highlight specific features or bring bright lights to your garden, spotlights are the best place to start. While some spotlights look small, they are not like dainty fairy lights or string lights. No, they instead function as a focal point for your garden, lighting a specific feature. They can even work as discreet security lights or floodlights if you want to add more visibility to your yard. Spotlights are utilitarian, but DEKOR’s offerings are subtle and sleek. We offer several different types of spotlights, so you can choose which one works best for you: the Telescoping LED Landscape Spotlight or the High Output LED Landscape Spotlight. Uplights Uplighting simply means lights that are directed upward to highlight a specific feature, like a tree or even the exterior of your house. Uplights can be bright lights, meant to draw attention to a specific part of your yard, but they can also be softer lights to add ambiance. If you want, you can even add festive colored uplighting to your garden, perfect for the holidays (or year-round, if you’re so inclined). Many of DEKOR’s garden lights are uplights. Some of our most popular include our Well Uplights and our Puck Uplights, both small lights that can be positioned on any yard surface to provide a minimalist lighting feature for your garden. Multipurpose Garden Lights Some lights do it all: give your garden dimension and depth and swivel so you can change the light’s focus. When you’re putting together outdoor lighting ideas, it’s always useful to build in options that you can use in different ways, depending on how your garden looks from season to season (or year to year). DEKOR’s multipurpose garden lights are the perfect illumination solution. The Radiance Directional Landscape Light and the Ginny Landscape Light both swivel 180 degrees and allow for their own unique positioning options to bring light exactly where you want it in your garden space. Garden Path Lights Path lighting is a critical safety feature in your garden if you have a sidewalk or path running through your backyard: it angles downward so the path is visible to people walking on it at night. But, you don’t have to choose these lights with only safety in mind. Path lights come in a variety of styles, so they are a great way to dress up the design of your outdoor lighting. DEKOR offers several different path lighting options, but one of our favorites for gardens is the Sidewalk Pathway Light. The color temperature for this light is the perfect balance between warm and cool, illuminating your path with an inviting glow. If you want to learn more about pathway and driveway lighting, check out our blog post about the best path lighting ideas. Outdoor Recessed Lighting You probably usually think of recessed lighting as an indoor feature, but there are outdoor options for recessed lighting as well that can look quite attractive as part of your landscaping. Some outdoor recessed lights will need to be mounted as wall lights or hardscape lighting, but it’s possible to nestle small puck lights in pebbles or stones for a recessed or flush-mounted look. DEKOR’s Puck LED lights easily create the appearance of recessed lighting and highlight key features in your garden. Colorful LEDs Are you bored with traditional outdoor lighting? Do you want a more festive lighting scheme for holidays (or year-round)? Then add some color to your garden lighting features! These are not your traditional holiday string lights: these are fixtures in your yard that are easy to install – so you can put them in place or move them without fuss – but can be permanent if so desired. DEKOR offers Puck Landscape Lights and Well Landscape Lights with colored LEDs in red, amber, blue, and green. Use them to bring your favorite colors to your garden, and cast light on trees, flower arrangements, your house, or any of the other features you would normally highlight with outdoor lighting. Tree Lighting Tree lighting is the pinnacle of garden lighting. If tall trees are a central part of your garden, surely you’ll want to illuminate them in the dark. Spotlights and uplights can do this just fine, as we’ve already discussed, but sometimes you have multiple trees or features in one area that require a powerful, multi-directional fixture to properly light up. Gang lights are perfect for this: they have multiple independent spotlight fixtures, so lighting two, there, or even more trees in one area becomes easy. DEKOR has several tree gang lighting offerings, including our Spot Gang 2 LED Landscape Spotlight Fixture, the Spot Gang 3 Fixture Landscape Spotlight, the Tree Gang 2 Fixture Landscape Spotlight, and the Tree Gang 3 Fixture Landscape Spotlight. Install Your Own Garden Lights All of the garden lighting ideas in this article do not require professional assistance to install: just follow the instructions included, and your garden will be beautifully lit in no time. For some installation tips, read our post about installing garden lights. We hope you find inspiration for your landscape lighting and garden among these suggestions.
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How to Install Pathway Lights: A Complete Guide
So, you’re on a journey to brighten up your landscaping. If you’ve already chosen which fixtures you’d like to add to your landscape lighting plan, it’s time to start thinking about installation. DIY installation may seem overwhelming at first glance, but we have put together a guide with simple steps to install some of DEKOR’s most popular path lights. Note that there are some basic materials you will need for any lighting installation job, including a low-voltage transformer, cables, connectors, and the lights themselves. DEKOR’s lighting kits come with all of the materials required to get the job done. You may also need tools to ensure your lights are securely installed and your wires are sufficiently buried, like a mallet, a drill, or a shovel. We break down exactly what is needed for each type of light below. Finally, before you get started, identify where the power sources and outlets are located in your yard and where you wish to place your lights. You’ll need to make sure that your wires are the correct length, so you can make the appropriate electrical connections to set up your lights. Installing EZ Yard Dot LED Path Lights Yard Dots add ground effect lighting in three easy steps: push it in, plug it in and turn it on. This may be a slight oversimplification, but these really are some of the easiest-install offerings from DEKOR. Yard Dots are available in several different styles and packages, including kits and colored dot lights, and these installation instructions will work for any of them. It may be a good idea to purchase these lights in a kit, especially if you have not installed outdoor lights before, because they come with cables and a transformer. DEKOR’s team has produced a video installation tutorial for Yard Dots: Follow these steps to install your EZ Yard Dot LED Path Lights: Assemble all of the items you need for installation (included in our light kits): your Yard Dots, HD cables, an EZ Max Transformer, and a rubber mallet. Decide where you want your lights to go, and place each Dot in your desired pattern. Tap the dots halfway down into the surface – whether it’s your lawn or ground cover – so they are covered up to the wire connections. The light fixture will tolerate gentle taps from a rubber mallet if needed. Attach cables to the remaining connections to get power to the next light. When connections are completed, cover with mulch, gravel, grass, etc. There is no required bury depth. Tap lights into desired depth. And there you go! It really is that easy to bring your outdoor lighting to the next level. Now your driveway or path will be beautifully and safely lit. You will be amazed at the huge difference these small lighting Dots make. How to Install Mushroom or Empress Path Lighting DEKOR offers several other path lighting options, including the Mushroom Pathway Light, the Stepped Mushroom Pathway Light, and the Empress Path Light, all available individually or as kits. While each of these light fixtures is unique, they all have the same installation instructions. You may even want to mix and match combinations of these landscape lights to make the lighting for each walkway its own. For this installation, you may need some tools if you plan to bury wire or place lights in a hardscape surface, including a drill with a 3/4-inch auger bit and a shovel. You will also need HD wire, Plug-N-Play connectors and/or splitters, and a transformer, all included if you purchase a light kit. Here are the steps to install these three low-voltage landscape lighting options: Locate the desired placement of lights and wiring. If you choose to bury the wire, under concrete or other permanent structures, plan accordingly. Place all lights in your preferred location. If necessary, use a 3/4″ (1.9 cm) auger within a drill to ensure the fixture is firmly in place. Run all wires from the power source locations to the lights on top of the soil, leaving them slack. If using separate circuits with independent dimmers, we recommend grouping the lights by light type. Connect all lights. Make sure connections, fixtures, and power sources (including splitters) are all working. Connect the opposite end of the male connector wire to a port on the multi-port splitter that is connected to the transformer or dimmer. You can mix and combine all lights on the same circuit but make sure you do not exceed the maximum number of lights per transformer. If running separate circuits with dimmers on each circuit, using a separate transformer for each circuit can simplify installation. However, the use of a 5-way splitter will allow for separate circuits on the same transformer. Preview light placement in the dark to make sure the effect you want is achieved. Test the lights to ensure power supply, connections, and light fixtures all work properly and placement is appropriate. Once the light, wire, and splitter placement is finalized, work from the light fixtures toward the power source to bury the wire to the desired depth. Ensure that lights are all working with all wiring attached prior to burying any wire. No more than 1 “-3” (2.5 cm – 7.6 cm) is required. These installation instructions apply to a wide variety of DEKOR lights. For example, our Telescoping LED Spotlight, the Well Uplight, and the Radiance Directional Landscape Light all use the same installation steps. So, if you plan on lighting up other parts of your yard, like a garden, you’ll become an installation master in no time.
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8 Ideas for Outdoor Pathway Lighting
Imagine your dream house: path lights line the sidewalks and guide your friends, family members, and visitors safely to your door. No landscape is complete without some guiding light to make walking around your yard in the dark safe. In the summer, you may stay outdoors later into the night as you enjoy warm weather. And, in the winter, as the days get shorter, weather-proof lights will lead you through the snow. But, pathway lights don’t need to just be a safety feature: they can also illuminate every walkway on your property with style! To help you design the perfect landscape lighting features, we’ve put together a list of 10 of our favorite outdoor lighting ideas for pathways. 1. Deck Posts It’s possible to light a path area with deck post lights like this one from DEKOR Lighting, perfect for stairways and outdoor paths near decks. These fixtures are sold individually, so you can buy one per deck post, or even install multiple on each deck post. With 360 degrees rotation, each light is versatile, so you can illuminate your path or yard from multiple angles if desired. 2. Classic, Rounded Mushroom Path Lights Mushroom Pathway Lights create a classic look for your home that fits with any style, modern or rustic. These lights strike the perfect balance of warm and cool: DEKOR’s energy-efficient Cree LEDs have a precise color temperature of 3200 Kelvin. DEKOR’s Mushroom Pathway Lights come in two style varieties, so you can choose the one that suits your taste: the classic Mushroom pathway light or the stepped Mushroom pathway light. 3. Multi-Directional Pathway Lights If a rounded Mushroom Light is not your style, consider a light with a more angular appearance: DEKOR’s Empress Pathway Lights are a brilliant option for gardens and pathways alike. But most importantly, these lights have three different configurations: they can illuminate one side, two sides, or all three sides of the light. This results in the possibility of a full 360-degree spread of light around the focal point of the fixture. Don’t worry – they are also low-voltage and energy-efficient. 4. Dot Lights It’s also possible to light your pathway with a simple light source: no lamps or large fixtures required. Ground lights or dot lights can be placed directly in the ground along your driveway or path. DEKOR Lighting offers a selection of EZ Dot Lights, a weather-resistant, low-maintenance lighting option that can be installed along the edge of any outdoor landscape or hardscape feature. 5. Path Lighting Kits If you plan on lighting a large area of your yard or want to line your driveway with path lights, consider purchasing a lighting kit rather than buying lights individually. A lighting kit typically includes everything you need to DIY install your lights. DEKOR path light kits include 4 lights, a transformer, Plug-N-Play connection cables, and other tools you need for installation. 6. Colored Yard Lights Why stick to only white or yellow color temperatures for your path lights? With colored ground lights or yard dots, your landscape lighting becomes truly custom. DEKOR offers LED yard dots in four different colors: blue, amber, red, and green. DEKOR’s lights use colored LEDs, not a lens or filter, so the color lasts and stays true over time. 7. Low Voltage & Energy Efficient Path Lights We know you want to consider energy-consciousness when you buy new lighting. Choosing the right voltage for your transformer is key, as well as having options for controlling the lights, so you can turn them on and off on a regular schedule. With Plug-N-Play technology, DEKOR has several options for low voltage transformers that work with any of our outdoor path lights. You can also add on timers and wifi-controlled remotes to your DEKOR purchase, so your lights will only turn on when you want them to. Plus, transformer enclosures like DEKOR’s EZ Enclosure put all of your transformers, controllers, and timers in one convenient and secure location. 8. Garden Pathway Lighting If you have pathways that run through your garden, you may want to think about how to light both the path and showcase trees or plants. Directional landscape lights like this one from DEKOR Lighting offer high light output and multiple positioning. Garden and landscape lights can be used on their own to illuminate garden features or pathways. Or they work well in combination with other pathway lights to create a cohesive lighting design across your yard. Install Your Own Path Lights All of the path lighting ideas in this article can be easily installed with the instructions provided, and do not require professional assistance (unless desired). We hope these path lighting ideas inspire you, whether you’re designing a landscaping plan for a new house or you just want to spruce up your yard with new lighting options.
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9 Xeriscape Ideas to Improve Your Outdoor Space
You dream of a beautiful backyard but are also passionate about eco-friendly landscaping. Depending on your climate, a traditional lawn might not cut it. Thankfully, an excellent solution exists: xeriscaping. This increasingly popular practice limits the need for irrigation. Its name derives from the Greek word for “dry.” The water department in Denver deserves credit for the term. Although the concept has existed for some time, it has only recently become prominent. Implemented strategically, xeriscaping allows for lower utility bills, eco-friendly living, and a lot less time spent on lawn maintenance. What’s more, xeriscaped yards are often more visually appealing than their conventional counterparts. By forcing homeowners to get creative, these spaces deliver a greater sense of personality, often resulting in downright artistic designs that provide a real visual feast. Xeriscape Design Ideas When you’re accustomed to Kentucky bluegrass or flower gardens with high water needs, the very idea of diverging from these traditions can seem a bit frightening. However, a world of opportunity opens up when you no longer feel limited by the backyard status quo. Short on ideas? The following are just a few of the many xeriscape approaches worth implementing throughout your outdoor space: Plants Limited watering doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice greenery. In fact, many plants are uniquely suited to arid landscapes. For your backyard to qualify as xeriscaped, however, you’ll need to carefully select plants based on which are most likely to thrive based on local soil and climate conditions. When possible, stick with drought-tolerant plants that call for minimal watering. These will differ to an extent depending on how warm or cold your local climate is, although some shrubs or wildflowers thrive in several different environments. Top options include the following: Purple lovegrass Thyme Coneflower Candytuft Fernbush Catmint Yucca Apache plume As you determine which plants are right for your yard, keep potential zones in mind. Xeriscaping often involves hydrazones, with each area receiving a different amount of water. No-water zones are extremely low-maintenance, while low-water may require a drip irrigation system. Moderate-water zones should be limited to small flower beds or other focal points. Mulch If you’d like to keep things simple as you plan your xeriscaped backyard, be sure to take advantage of mulch. Used in many environments to prevent weeds, this form of ground cover is especially effective in dry regions, as it limits evaporation for soil moisture. As a result, less water is needed. Organic mulch is a great option. It can take many forms, such as pine needles, shredded hardwood, or chips of bark. Stone-based inorganic mulch can also be effective as ground cover but should be limited to shady areas. Rock Garden Few xeriscaped features are as visually impressive as detail-oriented rock gardens. These may include a variety of different types of stones or boulders. Many also incorporate plants, such as the xeriscape-friendly options referenced above. You can also add succulents or dainty decor to create a beautiful fairy garden. While rock garden setup takes extensive planning, this upfront work is more than worthwhile for anyone who hopes to minimize long-term maintenance. As with any garden, careful attention will be required for determining drainage and soil needs. This is particularly important for rock gardens that incorporate native plants. Pavers Paver selection and placement can have a huge impact on xeriscaping. Instead of automatically opting for standard concrete or asphalt, consider alternatives such as porous pavement or gravel. These allow runoff to reach your yard and soak into the ground. Permeable pavers can also fulfill this function, as they are set slightly apart to produce gaps. These, in turn, allow the water to reach the soil, providing much-needed moisture. Turf Grass If you love the look of a lush, well-manicured lawn, you might be disappointed by the high cost and ecological damage imparted when you chase this aesthetic in an arid or semi-arid region. Thankfully, several substitutes are available. If you want real grass, stick with drought-resistant options that will continue to grow well in dry weather or during unexpected heat waves. Native grass is generally preferable to exotic, ornamental options. Another potential solution? Synthetic turf. This allows you to skip watering altogether. Many synthetic solutions look surprisingly realistic, so you can enjoy the appearance of a lush lawn while keeping personal effort to a minimum. In general, the principles of xeriscaping call for as little use of turf as possible. When alternatives are available, take advantage of them. In limited supply, however, it’s possible to minimize water use while incorporating turf. Choose turf locations strategically and challenge yourself to shift towards mulch, rocks, or non-turf plant life. Light Up Your Xeriscape Landscaping No matter which xeriscape solutions you select, they deserve to be featured both during the day and after the sun goes down. Hence, the value of outdoor lighting, which draws attention to the most impressive aspects of your xeriscaped backyard. Landscape lighting can also serve a functional purpose, as it improves navigation along walkways and within gardens. This is one of the easiest backyard solutions to implement. Since environmental practices are a top priority among xeriscape enthusiasts, low-energy usage should be a priority with any xeriscape lighting solution. Thankfully, a variety of LED options are available. Efficient and effective, these extend the life of your favorite lights while minimizing energy usage. Top options for lighting up a xeriscaped environment include the following: Pathway Lighting Paths meandering through your xeriscaped space encourage both guests and residents to take in the full visual spectacle. These should be well-lit for the sake of safety, of course, but also so that nearby xeriscaped features can be enjoyed after dark. Mushroom fixtures are perfect for creating focused light, while paver lights can provide a lovely accent along both walkways and driveways. Empress lights are often referred to as the crown jewel of pathway lighting, as their facets resemble diamonds. Garden Lighting You’ve worked hard to create a stunning garden featuring ornamental rocks and native plants. Call attention to these unique features with landscaping lights. High output spotlights attract attention from afar, while radiance lights create instant depth and dimension. Memorable options such as colored puck lights or yard dots can be used creatively throughout your garden, creating a visual statement above and beyond what you could achieve with plants alone. These often include LEDs, which abide by the xeriscaping principles of eco-friendly design. Patio Lighting Xeriscaping often accompanies extended patios, which may be built, in part, with the intention of limiting lawn coverage. Equipped with the right features, such patios create excellent entertaining spaces. They must be properly lit, however, to promote both safety and socialization. From LED strips attached to pergolas to wall-mounted floodlights, a variety of solutions can illuminate your patio with a soft glow while also providing a view of your gorgeous landscaping. Paver lights can also work wonders and, when also integrated with pathways, create a cohesive effect throughout the entire xeriscaped area. Wall Lights Even if your backyard doesn’t include a deck or patio, you can use retaining walls and other sturdy surfaces to draw attention to intricate landscaping. This approach works especially well for smaller backyards, where most xeriscaped spaces may be bordered by walls. A variety of wall-mounted solutions are available. Corner lights, strip lights, and multi-function lights, for example, can all be called on to illuminate preferred spaces. These surprisingly versatile lights can easily blend into a variety of walls, where they improve safety, security, and general aesthetics when the sun goes down. Dekor: Creative Lighting Solutions to Support Your Xeriscaping Efforts From landscaping to pergolas and even your swimming pool, the vast range of lighting solutions from Dekor can up the ante for any outdoor feature you want to show off. Contact us today to learn more about our products or to find additional ideas for improving your outdoor living space.
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8 Pergola Lighting Ideas to Decorate Your Outdoor Space
Few outdoor features blend beauty and functionality quite like a pergola. These vertical pillars provide support for cross-beams, which, in turn, deliver shade during the day. A pergola brings a sense of purpose to an outdoor area, providing a focal point to show where, exactly, people should hang out. Lighting allows your pergola to better fulfill these functions whenever you need it — day or night. Why Light Up Your Pergola? During the day, your pergola provides a much-needed break from direct sunlight. This added shade allows you to make better use of outdoor space that you might otherwise neglect for fear of sunburn. If your pergola is not lit, however, you may not be able to use that outdoor space at night. At a minimum, pergola lights serve a functional purpose: making it possible to navigate your outdoor living area when the sun goes down. But safety must also be considered. Without proper lighting, the risk of injury can be considerable — even in spaces that appear to have few obstructions. Pergola lighting can also boost the appearance of your deck or patio. The best patio lighting draws attention to your preferred aesthetic, regardless of whether you like contemporary, rustic, or elegant design. Depending on where your pergola is situated, your lights can also show off your garden or landscaping features. Pergola Lighting Ideas & Design Options Pergola lights can be dim, colorful, or housed within bold fixtures. With so many excellent choices, however, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this guide, we’ll define today’s top options and help you choose the ideal pergola lights for your space. Whether you prefer a sleek, contemporary look or something a bit more laid-back, you’ll quickly fall in love with at least one of the outdoor lighting ideas highlighted below: Outdoor String Lights As one of the most popular options for today’s pergolas, string lights are easy to hang. They instantly create a warm, festive atmosphere. These lights are far more varied than many people realize. Favorite options include: Fairy.When you think of string lights, chances are, you imagine classic fairy lights. These serve more of a decorative function than a practical one, so they’re best used in areas that already have other sources of lighting available. These lovely lights add a cheerful twinkle to make any deck or patio feel cozy. IcicleOften used for holiday parties, icicle lights hang down in short, vertical strings. These, in turn, are attached to a longer, horizontally-oriented string. While many people prefer to use icicle lights as accents along rooflines, they can also work nicely with pergolas and elsewhere in a deck or patio environment. Light Fixtures If you prefer to spend time in a well-lit area, you’ll need more luminosity than most string lights can provide. Therein lies the value of mounted lighting fixtures, such as soffit LED floodlights. Delivering a cascading effect that forces guests to take notice, these lights provide a beautiful glow. They also serve a practical purpose: bringing visibility to corners that might otherwise be out of reach after the sun goes down. Empyrean. Situated in an L-shaped housing, these flush-mount pergola lights are sometimes referred to as the “lights from above.” They are among the most effective options for pergolas because they are specifically designed for overhead structures. Inconspicuous during the day, these are among the most effective solutions for avoiding tangles and other issues that sometimes accompany string lighting systems. Remote Control. You may want remote control options for your backyard lights, so you can turn them on from anywhere and don’t have to worry about finding a switch in the dark. DEKOR offers the DEKORKONNECT Wifi Light Controller, which allows you to program your lights the way you’d like and turn them on from your phone. Hanging Lights The terms ‘hanging’ and ‘string’ are often confused when applied to outdoor lighting. These approaches hold much in common, and, technically, string lights are hanging lights. That being said, not all hanging lights qualify as string lights. Essentially, hanging lights are any fixture suspended from your pergola. For an enhanced effect, try colorful hanging lights, which go beyond a conventional soft glow to bring your favorite hues to your deck or patio. Keep in mind that most hanging lights you select will be visible during the day, so you should love their appearance regardless of whether or not they’re lit at any given point in time. Decorative Lights: Mason Jars & Paper Lanterns On the hunt for a rustic chic look that will add instant visual interest to your pergola? Mason jars should give your favorite outdoor areas a memorable look, adding flair in a delightfully low-key manner. These lights used are typically LED lights, which provide long-lasting, bright light. Colorful Mason jar lights further defy expectations by bringing bold and bright hues to your outdoor patio. Paper lanterns add unique style to your outdoor living space – either strung up in a row like fairy lights or hung individually around your pergola. Just keep in mind that both of these lighting solutions prioritize style over safety: mason jar lights and paper lanterns alone are likely not enough to illuminate your full outdoor space. Strip Lights From a distance, strip lights resemble the effect of string lights. They offer many benefits above and beyond other lighting solutions, however, as they can be cut to preferred lengths and customized based on the specifics of the environment in which they’re used. They can take multiple forms, such as: NOSEEEM. These LED strip lights are ideal when you want a discreet, subtle option for illuminating the space beneath your pergola. Other perks include waterproof construction and robust strength, which allow these lights to stand up to the elements. Infinite Lights. Named for the infinite opportunities they provide, infinite LED strip lights are thin and flexible. While they are sold individually, they can be attached as needed to create custom strips of lights. Silicone casing means that a variety of surfaces can accommodate these lights. Rope. While these lights look spectacular when attached beneath deck rails, they’re also a perfect fit for pergolas. They can bring the perfect sense of ambiance to an outdoor dining room. Rope lights are flexible enough to deliver steady output near curves and angles. If you want a steady, unbroken string of light for a contemporary space, rope lights may be your preferred solution. Chandeliers Nothing classes up a room quite like a sophisticated chandelier. This is true regardless of whether gorgeous chandeliers are suspended from inside ceilings or outdoor pergolas. Depending on their design, they can bring elegance or quirky vibes to your pergola. They also offer varying levels of light. To make a statement, try these kinds of chandeliers: Drum Lights. This modern style does wonders when incorporated into minimalist designs. As pendant lights, they are hung from chains or stems. The term ‘drum’ derives from the shape of the shade. Glass. Play up the luxury outside with a glass chandelier. These are inherently elegant, but can also be risky outside — so be sure to stick with the most durable models available. Mini. Small pergolas can quickly be overwhelmed by excessively large chandeliers. If you want the effect of a chandelier without overdoing it, try a mini design instead. This provides all the aesthetic appeal of a conventional chandelier but also leaves room for other decor or lighting solutions. Lights in the Floor Your deck or patio area covered by the pergola doesn’t just have to be lit from above. Especially if you want soft, decorative lighting around the overhang of your pergola, but you don’t want to compromise the safety, recessed lighting in the ground can be an effective solution. DEKOR’s Dek Dots are the ideal outdoor recessed lighting for any deck, patio, or pergola area. They are designed to be walked on, waterproof, and easy to install. The light bulbs are also dimmable, so it’s still possible to set the mood and adjust the brightness of your lights. Stair Lights Some pergola areas are accessible by stairs, especially if the pergola structure covers a portion of your deck or patio. If this is true, you’ll need to make sure that those stairs are included in your pergola lighting design plans. In fact, stairs are potentially the most important part of your outdoor area to light up from a safety perspective. DEKOR offers a range of stair lights specifically designed for outdoor use, but for pergolas, we recommend an outdoor recessed stair light with faceplates. The faceplates add some design and personality to your stair lighting: you can choose your faceplate design from 8 options and the color of the faceplate from 3 different options. Make your stair lighting dramatic or subtle, according to your taste. Transform Your Pergola With DEKOR Why let a sophisticated pergola go to waste after sunset? When you apply the best lighting solutions from DEKOR, your outdoor room becomes far more functional and attractive after hours. This is one of the easiest home improvement options imaginable, so don’t hesitate to get in DIY mode as you add the lighting styles highlighted above to your deck or patio. Contact us today to learn more about our products — and to discover which lighting options are best capable of leveling up your pergola.
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LED Light Maintenance - 6 Tips for Seasonally Repairing/Maintaining Your Deck, Dock & Landscape Lighting
In this post, we have put together 6 tips for checking your LED outdoor lighting system. This will help you ensure that everything is working efficiently and at its best. Check that all your lights are functional, it’s much easier to know what’s not working when the entire system is powered on. Check the output voltage of your transformer, anything less than 11vDC would require attention. Replace any burned out LEDs, using the same wattage LED. Increasing wattage can overload the circuit and decreasing it could increase the voltage going to your other fixtures, causing them to burn out prematurely. Bury exposed cables, in high traffic areas it may be common for cables to make their way to the surface. Ensuring all your cables are buried will reduce any trip hazards and prevent rodents from chewing through them. Checking for loose connections, if a light is dim or flickering you may want to double-check and see a cable is loose or has gone bad. Adding dielectric grease on connections you find that are loose. Dielectric grease will help fight corrosion and ensure longevity in your connections. Clean lenses and brush off fixtures. LEDs are known for maintaining a cool temperature, most LEDs won’t get hot enough to melt snow. Depending on the size of the fixture, you can use a toothbrush or broom to brush off any excess snow that may be piled up on your LEDs. Doing this two times a year should make your system last for many years and not keeping up with basic maintenance might cost you big in the future by forcing you to replace multiple fixtures and or/ multiple cables. Unsure of how long your warranty lasts? Please contact our customer care team to double-check your warranty period/ status. Not up to doing the maintenance yourself? Please contact us to see if there is a DEKOR PRO in your area that can assist.
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9 tips to remember when using a contractor
Get Involved & Stay Involved – even if it is walking the job on a daily basis the more you are involved the more input you will have to ensure the job is going to meet the same expectations. Your level of involvement in the project will determine the outcome of the project. Researching Your Contractor – avoid using discount and free sites like Craigslist and Angie’s List. We have found in some cases that these contractors are unlicensed, uninsured, and underqualified. You really want to look at each company’s website and review previous jobs that they have done. Those that have invested to create a good quality website typically do good quality contracting work. You also want to understand who is going to be doing the work. We find that Owner-Operator companies are the most reputable and the highest quality since they will be doing the work themselves. TIP! – These people are not available two weeks out. You need to be booking with them a few months in advance. Get Everything in Writing – verbals Can Kill – sign off and initial on the plans as well as any changes to the plans. Again, ensuring that everyone has the same expectations. Also, ensure that there is a schedule. Weather Happens – so make sure that you build out your schedule in milestones, not just a beginning and end date. Before issuing a deposit check make sure you have a contract, a schedule and schematic of the project. Choosing Quality Materials Is Key – don’t take the low-end route. Low price almost always means low quality and while it sometimes looks good in the showroom that is something completely different than how it holds up to the elements. Pay more now and less on repairs later. For decking products consider composite materials over traditional wood materials. They are UV stable, don’t warp, swell, they retain their color, are slip-resistant. The only downside really is that they heat up. We recommend Trex as one of the top products on the market. Accessories and Originality – customizing your project with your own unique touches keeping your deck from looking like your neighbors. DEKOR offers a multitude of different lighting and deck railing options like post caps, balusters, etc, make sure to differentiate. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting! – the most important part of the project because you can provide a beautiful ambiance for the space you’re in. If you’re comfortable in a space you’ll be more likely to spend more time there. Controls – hopefully you took our advice on point number 6 and added lighting, now it’s important to understand how to control those lights. DEKOR offers a multitude of different options including handheld controls, smartphone and smart devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Control4, and more through the DEKORKONNECT WiFi-enabled controller. We also offer products like the EZ motion sensors to automatically light your space to provide safety and security. Closely Check for Issues/Flaws – make sure that your contract includes a note that final payment is due upon your satisfaction. Develop a punch list of tasks that need to be completed prior to signing off. Do not get pressured into doing this in a short amount of time. Take a weekend to develop this list and use another set of eyes if available. Then go through this with your contractor. Warranties – warranties protect you against unexpected happenings. Reputable contractors will typically have a warranty on labor and workmanship for at least a year. Material warranties will be carried by the manufacturer and those are typically carried for 5-10 years. Make sure that the warranty is in writing. Lastly, get a ‘lien release’ from the contractor and subs. An example is 6 months after your job is done by a subcontractor that wasn’t paid by the original contractor and now they can put a lien on your house for non-payment of the work. Please contact our Customer Care team for questions about products, installation tips, and more.
Read more2020 Summer Contest
The results are in! We had some really great submissions for our second contest of the year. Our customers were asked to enter into the following categories: Best COVID-19 Quarantine Outdoor Lighting Project Best Before & After Lighting Project Best Overall Design After much deliberation, we selected the winners and are sharing them here to highlight the endless possibilities of DEKOR LED lighting kits. Thanks to all that submitted to our Summer Contest. Best COVID Quarantine Project – Inspired Decks Best Before & After – David Howe Best Overall Design – Jim Trenta Best Overall Design – Jim Smeeding Best Story Through Pictures – Joe Loya
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New Colored LED Lights For Decks, Docks, Landscaping and Hardscaping
DEKOR Lighting has expanded your outdoor lighting options with colored LED landscape lighting. Our Dek Dots, Dock Dots, Yard Dots, and Paver Dots are now available in red, amber, green and blue. These new lights use the same robust housings and familiar Plug-N-Play connector system as our traditional white lights, and are built with vibrantly colored CREE LEDs instead of a lens or filter to guarantee fade-free shine for the lifetime of the installation. Stargazer Red Spectral Spread: 620nm to 630nm Our eyes have rods and cones that help us see under varying light conditions. Red light primarily activates cones but not rods, allowing our pupils to stay dilated in the dark while providing enough illumination to read. In addition to minimizing the adjustment time that you’d experience switching between white light and darkness, red lights help your eyes maintain better peripheral vision than if you use a white light in the dark. Great for: Illuminating the area around your telescope or star-gazing deck Fences and walkways near open, wild-life heavy areas like forests or open space Leading pedestrians back towards higher illumination levels from a dark area Sea-Turtle Safe Amber Spectral Spread: 585nm to 595nm When it comes to keeping beaches safe for adult female sea turtles to lay eggs and hatchlings to successfully find the ocean, the rule of thumb is “Keep it long; keep it low”. The latter portion refers to using fixtures that keep the beam angle low to the ground, and the former refers to the wavelength of light. Sea turtle lighting is considered any illumination source with the majority of light emitted at a wavelength of 580nm or longer. DEKOR’s amber lights use natively colored LEDs, not a lens over a white light, to keep the vast majority of the light around 590nm. Great for: Beach walkways, pathways, and beach-front decks Areas with heavy insect populations – amber and yellow lights attract fewer bugs Anywhere you want a very warm light color experience High-Visibility Green Spectral Spread: 510nm to 530nm Green light has tactical uses because the human eye is most sensitive to wavelengths around 525nm, but we simply love the beautiful color! Whether used as a year-round accent under trees or to spread some holiday cheer, these crisp green lights are sure to dazzle. Great for: Seasonal and specialty accent lighting Showing off contrast in materials such as marble in an unconventional way Pairing with red lights to indicate port and starboard on a dock Brilliant Blue Spectral Spread: 460nm to 470nm As with green, pure blue light can be linked to a variety of specialty use cases, but you don’t need a special reason to add Brilliant Blue to your landscape or hardscape. The beautiful, short-wavelength blue is just as at home around the pool as it is piercing through the fog at the end of a driveway. Great for: High-visibility needs, such as a driveway entrance that visitors tend to miss Aquatic hardscaped areas like pools and ponds Using natively colored LEDs in our products guarantees the purest possible colors will illuminate and accent your installation without compromising the consistence of the beam angle. While the beautiful colors will be right at home in any seasonal display, these rugged lights are designed to the same quality standards of all DEKOR products. Whether in red, white, or blue, we believe in lighting for life. Colored LED Stair Light Kit – Indoor From: $94.33 USD Colored LED Stair Dek Dot Light Kit From: $243.37 USD Colored LED Stair Dek Dot Light Kit – Outdoor From: $313.33 USD Colored LED Stair Dek Dot Lights Starting At: $27.36 USD Colored LED Recessed Up/Down Light Kit – Outdoor From: $354.87 USD LED Colored Yard Lights – Yard Dots Light Kit From: $327.21 USD Outdoor LED Colored Paver Lights – Paver Dot Kit From: $362.65 USD Colored LED Dock Dot Light Kit From: $329.13 USD Colored LED Dek Dot Light Kit – Outdoor From: $313.33 USD
Read moreDEKOR Winter 2020 Photo Contest
One of our favorite things at DEKOR is seeing the creative ways our customers use our LED lighting. In January we ran a contest for the most creative uses of our products and the results were simply amazing. After much deliberation, we were finally able to name the winners. We wanted to showcase the best of the entries and we’re sure you’ll be as impressed as we were! First Place – Adam Odeh DEKOR Products: Yard Dots, Radiance Lights, Petite Post Lamps Second Place – Andy Henley DEKOR Products: Dek Dots, NOSEEEM Lights Third Place – Don Walker DEKOR Products: Down Lights, Rope Lights Most Stunning – MCM Construction DEKOR Products: Recessed Stair Lights, Down Lights Most Stunning – Don Smith DEKOR Products: Recessed Stair Lights, Radiance Lights Most Unique – Marty Foery DEKOR Products: Solar Post Cap Light Most Unique – Shawn Vernon
Read morePlug-N-Play™ Technology: Our DIY-Friendly, Waterproof Connector System
If you can charge your cell phone, you can install our products. Duane McCall President and CEO of DEKOR® DEKOR® now designs the majority of our products Plug-N-Play™. We listened to the feedback from our customers, and simple, user-friendly installation was top of the list. Our Plug-N-Play™ Connector System is completely self-sealing, removing the need for stripping wires and wire nuts. Plug-N-Play™ takes the guess-work out of installation; no need to track the polarity (red and black wires) because DEKOR connectors are keyed to plug in the correct way. With the introduction of the new EZ Plug-N-Play™ Splitter, you can now junction up to 4 lights into one device streamlining the whole installation process. Do you DIY? If so, you’ll love the ease of installation. If you’re a professional, you will love how Plug-N-Play™drastically cuts installation time and cost. Advantages of the DEKOR® Plug-N-Play™ Connector System: Waterproof, IP 67 minimum Easy, tool-free connection No cutting, stripping wires, wire nuts All connectors are pre-assembled and individually tested Simply “plug male into female connectors” Self-sealing connectors fit perfectly Keyed connectors –polarity is determined by the connector Can be connected or disconnected while under load Low voltage safety ETL Certified.
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