Summer Glow: Creative Deck Lighting Ideas with LED Christmas Lights

The delightful weather during summer gifts us with perfect outdoor moments. And what does that mean for you? It’s time to utilize your deck! Those moments can extend well beyond dusk. But, that doesn’t imply you need to wrap up for the night. Summer is the ideal season to illuminate your deck—using Christmas lights offers an exceptional deck lighting solution.

We’re here to assist you in lighting up your deck. Consider this guide your manual for the top techniques to utilize LED Christmas lights for deck illumination.

Evening or Night—Time to Illuminate

Once the sun sets, your deck can become as dark as the night sky, making it challenging, if not impossible, to relax or entertain guests. To enjoy tranquil evenings, refreshing breezes, fun barbecues, and other simple joys on the deck, illuminating the area is worthwhile. All you need is the appropriate light source. While candles are pretty, they don’t emit much light. Additionally, if it becomes windy, they can blow out—or worse: tip over, posing a fire hazard.

Christmas lights are ideal for deck lighting! They provide sufficient brightness without being harsh or overwhelming like overhead lights. They also emit a warm and inviting glow that entices you to spend all night on your deck. Their weather-durable design ensures they can withstand the elements.

Various Deck Lighting Applications at Your Disposal

LED Christmas lights offer a wealth of possibilities for decorating, from wrapping rails to adorning tabletops. Combine several of these methods to create a truly stunning deck space! However, keep in mind that some ideas may not pair well together, such as rail wraps and under-rail lighting. Carefully plan your deck lighting journey to ensure your lighting choices complement each other. Thoughtful planning will harmonize your lighting arrangements into a stylish and cohesive design.

 

Rail Light Wraps

Rail light wraps are among the most charming deck lighting arrangements you can create. They’re highly visible, making them easy to enjoy, and are also simple to install. When executed correctly, they look magical and provide ample lighting where it matters. Depending on your desired brightness, you can run the string between the gap of each baluster once or twice.

While multiple types of lights could be used for your rail light wraps, smaller bulbs are more suitable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, smaller bulbs are more aesthetically pleasing in this arrangement. Larger bulbs may protrude and give the setup an odd appearance. Secondly, smaller bulbs are less likely to be bumped or snagged. Impress your guests (and yourself) with rail wraps that light up the night!

 

Under-Rail Lighting

Prefer something less conspicuous than rail wraps? Opt for under-rail lighting. This method is perfect for those seeking subtlety, providing some light without overwhelming brightness.

For this installation, you simply need the lights and a method to secure them underneath the railing. Hook screws into the side of the railing’s lower half or use zip ties. Each securing method has its pros and cons.

Using screw hooks is less visible but will leave holes in the railing. Your light line must be taut enough to maintain the desired look, or it will sag near the balusters. Zip ties are less intrusive, leaving no marks, but they can be visible. Nonetheless, with proper planning, under-rail lighting adds a tasteful touch to any deck space.

 

Icicle Lights for Roofline, Railings, or the Deck Itself

This is arguably the most attractive deck lighting option available. It’s also versatile, allowing for installation in various spots depending on your deck design or preferences—such as overhead, from the railing, or from the deck’s edge.

Ensure you have enough icicle light strings to encircle your deck’s roofline, railing length, or deck perimeter. A continuous run of icicle lighting is always impressive. Use screw hooks for a permanent setup or adhesive clips for a temporary one. With these lights, your deck will sparkle, impressing you and your guests.

 

Deck Post Light Wraps

Have a covered deck with posts supporting a roof or pergola? Wrapping these posts with lights adds a sense of structure and frames your overall deck lighting design beautifully. A deck lighting scheme may seem incomplete if you wrap the rails but not the posts, so consider this method if illuminating your railings is a goal.

Wrap the deck posts from top to bottom, starting at a fixed point. Use a light clip or zip tie for this. For more intensity, run the string straight down to the post’s bottom, loop through a TreE-Z wrap, and return up, creating a post sparkling with light!

 

Hanging Lights

This favorite option is perfect for parties, events, or casual gatherings. You might even leave these up all summer, as hanging lights serve as fantastic deck light fixtures.

To achieve the classic hanging light look, use a base cord and S14 bulbs. This stylish setup provides ample illumination and sets a great ambiance for any evening on your deck.

Charming Tabletop Decorations

It’s easy to focus on lights that cover significant areas. But, don’t overlook sprucing up the areas where you sit—like your tabletops! Tabletop decorations add flair to any deck lighting setup.

 

Fairy Lights In-A-Jar

An endearing and delightful table decoration, fairy lights in a jar create the perfect ambiance for laid-back evenings and memorable times with friends.

Simply place a length of lighting inside the jar as desired, leaving enough cord for the plug. Tape part of the light cord inside the jar near the neck. Fasten the jar lid loosely to avoid bending the wire. And voila! You have a light source that’s bound to attract positive attention.

Fairy Lights Around Trays

Want to make food and condiments look even more enticing? Lay a string or two of LED fairy lights around a tray placed at the center of an outdoor table. These lights give an enchanting glow to the items on the tray, making even overcooked food appear more appealing than a five-star meal.

When not serving food, decorate the tray with outdoor items like potted plants or lanterns wrapped in fairy lights.

These are the top ways to use LED Christmas lights for deck illumination. We hope you leave this article inspired with ideas for enhancing your deck’s lighting and adding breathtaking charm. We’re here to support your deck lighting endeavors and other projects. Contact us at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-391-5280 to discuss your lighting needs!