Let's talk about LED outdoor lighting...
An outdoor room deserves the same kind of design attention as any other room in your home.
Layering is not a new concept. Whether you are putting together an outfit or your living room, a much-talked-about technique to achieve a sophisticated look is through smart layering.
Using texture, pattern, and shine is almost essential to have a rich-looking wardrobe or home.
Yet, our outdoor spaces used to be often overlooked as worthy of such a layering effort. Yes, it takes effort. But if you look at your patio, deck, yard, or porch as just another room in your home, you'll better be able to frame your design approach in a way that's more comfortable.
I gathered a few outdoor rooms that showcase a few of my favorite LED outdoor lighting ideas.
1. A chandelier can dress up any space, even an outdoor room.
Using the space created by a generous layout of seating that's expanded around the central coffee table, allows the vertical space to open up.
By lowering that chandelier, the lighting helps to create an intimate, yet open, conversation area.
The chandelier. The Hubbardton Forge New Town chandelier is the drama in this outdoor space. With its dark smoke finish and seedy clear glass, it is definitely a light made for an time are gathering of nighttime conversation.
This chandelier doesn't come with energy-efficient LED light bulbs,so make sure you put the perfect light bulbs in your online shopping basket.
The wall light. Made by the same company who created the chandelier, this Sea Coast wall light in 18 3/4" tall. It has the same seedy glass and an opaque dark smoke finish.
The company, Hubbardton Forge tests all of its outdoor fixtures so that they pass rigorous salt spray tests to replicate extreme weather conditions and UV exposures.
The fountain. While it's not a bold player in this outdoor space, in real life the sound of the Asian Garden Tiered Fountain’s water flow along the faux stone and the LED light cluster at night are definite mood enhancers.
2. Layering with lighting doesn't stop at fixtures with light bulbs.
Look at fireplaces and candles as ways to develop a lighting experience. If you have little ones, or are cautious about open flames, there are always battery and electric options for both. And they are just as charming and create that cozy atmosphere you are looking for.
The chandelier.The Onyx Faux Stone Candle actually consists of faux candles arranged in a 30-inch wide configuration with an espresso-colored ironwork. A rich look that works for indoor and outdoor, it is suitable for damp locations.
With any light fixture,like this that doesn't come with light bulbs, go ahead and take advantage of the LampsPlus.com online chat to find out the exact LED light bulb that works. Click the "Online Chat" button on any product page to start the conversation.
The wall light.A perfect companion in this lighting layering scheme, the Franklin Iron Works wall light looks like a candle, but is made of onyx stone. Just like its layering partner chandelier, this 15-inch tall wall light can be used in outdoor and indoor spaces.
The candle. In this outdoor room, an LED flameless candle works perfectly on the mantel, the table, or even on the coffee table. While there are several choices when it comes to a flameless candle, the Solare Collection’s pearl mosaic fits the earthy upscale vibe of this particular outdoor room.
As a mom who has cats, I often use a grouping of flameless candles as part of a tablescape.
3. Fire pits are unbelievably popular in many neighborhoods for good reason.
They are easy to find, use, and move to wherever you want to create a little nighttime oasis. But why not use that firepit for a nomadic place-making element to a more refined place-made space.
Sconces melt into the background, create a sensual mood and outdoor room atmosphere around this firepit.
The wall light.This bronze downlight from Franklin Iron Works could be perfect as path lighting or helping to create an intimate mood, like in this outdoor room example. The ADA compliant wall light is a natural textural joy with its slate and bronze combination.
The fountain. The faux stone floor fountain has a two-tiered basin design with three small spouts that curve water from one tier to the next. Constructed from lightweight polyresin, the Mason Faux Stone fountain includes two halogen lightbulbs.
The firepit.The all-weather black powdercoated Glendale Tuscan Slate Round Steel Outdoor Firepit has a deep 40-inch deep bowl and comes with a steel fire poker.
4. I'm a fan of outdoor LED ceiling fans. (pun is definitely intended)
Just like sconces and chandelier, ceiling fans are often overlooked as chosen members of an outdoor lighting team.
I've had an outdoor ceiling fan on both my porch and pergola for years, and I delight in the added visual texture and dimmable light every summer.
The ceiling fan. Just like you wouldn’t settle on a chandelier, don’t just ‘it’ll do for now’ settle on a ceiling fan.Whether indoor or outdoor, the ceiling fan and the chandelier can both be true power statements in a light layering design.
This Casa Largo ceiling fan has an oil-brushed bronze finish and dark walnut blades. Frosted white painted glass contains the lightbulbs. While it comes with CFL lightbulbs, I recommend trying out an LED option. Just ask the online help at LampsPlus.com for the perfect equivalent.
The wall light.This LED outdoor wall light is called the Park View. The clear seedy glass has a diffuser inside to eliminate glare, and the light is framed in oil-rubbed bronze.
The fountain. This 50-inch tall faux slate fountain has textured leaf edging and a bottom reservoir for a calm sound. Designed for placement inside or outside, the water pump and a 5-foot cord is included.
What do you think about layering LED outdoor lighting? Share your ideas below in the comments. -T
All images courtesy of Lamps Plus