In this article, we’ll cover a whole range of deck lighting ideas, including solar deck lighting, lighting for deck posts, deck string lights, deck step lights, and more. You’ll be able to make considerations between all different types and the process for installing each one. We’ll also cover some of the best brands that provide deck lighting. You will walk away knowing exactly how to light up the night using some clever techniques and fixtures.

Deck lighting | Composite decking, lighting ideas — Deck lighting ideas. Image HGTV, Trex

How Do You Light Your Deck at Night?

There are many different ways to light a deck. Some of the most important considerations include how to mix creative lighting techniques for specific uses such as lighting stairs as well as to create a pleasing ambience. You’ll also need to factor in the color temperature of the lights, the intensity of the lights; the placement of the lights, energy sources (hardwired, plug-in, or solar); and just as importantly, the appearance of the fixtures during daylight hours.

What are Some Deck Lighting Techniques?

The specific lighting techniques used in a deck design are very similar to those used on a paver patio. Let’s cover some of the best deck lighting techniques to make the space relaxing after dark.

Safety

Illuminate walking surfaces like stairs and the deck itself with lights that are positioned and angled low, to direct light energy where it’s needed. This technique does double duty in creating a safe environment while keeping lights lower than knee height (1 to 3 feet off the ground). This will make the space feel more magical and less like a sports stadium. There are three main ways to light a deck for safety: post lights, rail lights, in-floor lights, stair lights, and recessed lighting.

Post lights are installed on the tops of posts, and diffuse light down toward the ground. adding a functional architectural detail that can give your deck a finished look. Post lights are hardwired, and fit under the deck post cap. Post lights can also be mounted on the sides of the posts, lower to the ground.

Rail lights are mounted directly to the railing. They may be LED strips that are either mounted on the underside of the rail or wrapped around it. Or, they may be mounted to the side of the rail and point down toward the deck floor. If you like to lean against a rail, we recommend mounting LED strips on the underside.

Recessed in-floor lighting can be used on the outer perimeter of a deck. This is particularly useful for creating a safe atmosphere when your deck doesn’t have a railing. These lights are mounted directly into the boards and shine light upward. If you aren’t in love with a runway-style look, consider colored recessed lights such as an ethereal blue, which cast a much softer look. Recessed lights are also available in color-changing versions that you can adjust to suit the mood.

Stair lights are incorporated into each vertical stair riser to reduce shadows. You’ll get the most reliable illumination from hardwired LED stair lights.

Recessed deck lighting: if your deck is fully or partially covered by a roof, recessed lighting gives a clean look and plenty of illumination.

Ambient Light: a Pleasing Space

Ambient light is already partially achieved with safety lighting. Our favorites include string lights and hanging lanterns. Accent lights are not necessary if your safety lighting gives you enough light to enjoy the space. But add them if you feel you’d like a bit more light.

String lights are generally associated with a festive spirit and romantic Mediterranean cafes. String lights are not hardwired, which gives you the option of changing up the look when you like. This simple lighting technique involves hanging a series of lights from the structure of your home or from a tree and draping the lights across your deck. Retro Edison bulbs, glob bulbs, and other fun styles are now readily available in outdoor-rated LED fixtures. The downside is that if your deck is detached and there are no mature trees nearby, you’ll need to erect posts. String lights are also often used to light up a pergola on a deck, or to illuminate the space beneath an elevated deck. You can also pair string lights with a shade sail to add light: the light will bounce off the shade sail at night, and during the day you’ll be protected from harsh UV rays.

A feature light such as a chandelier or an oversized outdoor rated floor lamp can create a warm living-room feeling.

Specialty lighting techniques such as washing can also be used to illuminate an attached deck. Washing, or backsplashing, is used as a form of indirect lighting for ground surfaces. The idea is to direct a light at a flat vertical surface such as the wall of your home. As the light bounces off this surface, it will “wash” over the surrounding area. For attached decks, the technique of washing can be achieved by mounting a light on the eaves of the roof and pointing it down and toward the wall (not toward the deck).

Another technique that will add ambient light to a deck is spotlighting. If your deck is at ground level, you could use spotlighting to accent the trunk of a tree or other special feature. If your deck is on the second floor or higher, you could spotlight artwork or a tree canopy.

Downlighting and uplighting can be used to highlight the texture of the home. Sconces are great examples, since sconces can shine light directly up, down, or both up and down.

If your deck has built-in planters, you can use them as light fixtures. Mini bullet lights angled upwards will create a showpiece on your deck along with plenty of cool shadow plays. Using a variety of plants such as ornamental grasses will soften the lines and create textural interest whether the planter is illuminated or not.

Moonlighting is a technique that creates the illusion of moonlight filtering through the tree canopy: a romantic, dramatic vibe The technique places a light high in a tree canopy to light the spaces below, but the light is filtered as it passes through the leaves and branches. It’s a great way to provide additional visual texture and an ethereal feeling in your outdoor living space.

If your deck is elevated (second-story or higher) you can mount lights on the underside. These can be in the form of ceiling fans with integrated lights, outdoor chandeliers, or other types of pendant lights.

If your deck is ground-level and the contrast between a well-lit deck and a dark landscape is unnerving, create a layered effect. A few randomly-placed lights under a tree or shrub will give dimension to the landscape and create a safer feeling without lighting your backyard up like a Christmas tree lot.

If your deck has a built-in outdoor kitchen, under-counter lighting will illuminate the work surface and provide ambient light to the space.

Built-in benches are another way to light your deck: Under-mount LED light strips light the area underfoot, while giving the bench a “floating” feeling.

Using Fire as Light

Fire pits can put off just the right amount of light for your deck. There are plenty of small portable propane-fueled fire pits that are safe to use on wood, PVC, or composite decks (we still recommend placing them on a fireproof surface such as pavers). When the fire is going, you’ll enjoy the added light and ambience.

Water features, too, can become a source of light. A small fountain in the corner of the deck can become a nighttime focal point with the addition of submersible lighting.

Accent Lighting: Just for Fun

Accent lighting should be seen not as a system, but as a one-off fixture that speaks for itself. An outdoor-rated chandelier, for instance, will bring a high level of elegance to an outdoor dining space. As long as you have something to hang it from such as pergola or a cross beam erected for this purpose, an outdoor chandelier is a fun yet stylish addition to your deck. Outdoor chandeliers can be hard-wired or plug-in.

Accent lighting such as oversized globe lights are a fun way to add a focal point to your deck. Mushroom lights, LED rope lights, and various styles of garden lights (faux fireflies, anyone?) are fun, but the look is best when accent lighting is used as just that — an accent — rather than as a main light source.

Although it can bring a smile to everyone’s face, keep in mind that accent lighting can be a little too “Vegas” if overdone. Treat these special techniques as a way to add one or at most two nighttime focal points and otherwise, stick to conventional deck lighting techniques for a more sophisticated look. (Image source: Trex)

What is the Best Lighting for a Deck?

As you can see, there are quite a few excellent ways to light your deck. The most important lighting technique for a deck is actually not a lighting technique at all, but a concept. The best thing you can do in lighting your deck is using multiple lighting techniques to create layers across the surfaces. This is because not one single lighting technique will do everything necessary to make a deck feel safe and welcome.

And with that said, it’s important to take into account the “less is more” concept. It’s easy to fall in love with several lighting techniques and want to use them all. But this will inevitably be a case of “will someone please hit the dimmer, it’s nuclear out here!” Start with the basics of safety and then, one by one, consider adding a form of ambient light if needed.

Can You Install Deck Lighting Yourself?

Yes, but…

Unless you have experience working with lighting, we recommend working with an electrician. Solar and plug-in lights are of course easy to install, but if a lighting system or even an individual light requires hard-wiring, we recommend working with a licensed electrician.

Beyond the danger of choosing fixtures that are inappropriate for use on a deck and the wrong transformer sizes, outdoor lighting installation comes with a lot of hazards including uneven ground to support a ladder… then there’s the challenge of hiding all the wiring so your deck doesn’t look like it’s been caught in a fishing net. Even if wiring has to be stapled to the deck structure, a pro will do it in the most unobtrusive way possible; and the pros have a few tricks up their sleeves to completely disguise most wiring.

Installing deck lighting is involved, potentially hazardous if the deck is above grade, and honestly, not that much fun. Overall installing deck lighting yourself is not worth the risk or the time investment, in our opinion. (Image Source: Trex)

How Do You Design a Lighting Scheme for a Deck?

Planning is the most important part of designing a lighting scheme for your deck. We’ve already touched on the wisdom of starting small and planning for the bare necessities, and then adding a few lights to round out the picture without lighting up the neighborhood.

How can you know just by planning, whether your deck safety lighting will be enough? Each fixture comes with a spec sheet that says how wide the light spread is, or how much space it will illuminate. For instance if a side-mounted railing light gives you five feet of illumination side to side and your deck railing is 20 feet long you’ll need a minimum of four fixtures to prevent dark spots.

Your landscape lighting designer will start by drawing a plan of your deck. On this plan, your designer will mark the locations of places on your deck that need special attention for safety lighting, such as doorways, steps, or stairs. Next, they will mark the location of your outdoor cooking area (if any) where you will need task lighting. Then they will mark the locations of your social spaces, such as the outdoor dining table and seating. Finally, they will mark the locations of features you want to draw attention to, such as plants or artwork. From this plan, you can work together to select the fixtures that will give you the most satisfying results.

How Do You Hide Wires on Deck Lights?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a commercially viable way to hide wiring in landscape lighting yet. However, wood decking provides opportunities to hide cables and make the deck look much cleaner. The undersides of decking is the first place that wiring is hidden. If you’re installing a new composite deck, the boards may feature channels where cables can be attached; otherwise wiring is stapled to the underside. A skilled contractor can also cut channels into the vertical features such as posts, and into the underside of railings. If you want a clean uncluttered look, this time-consuming approach could be well worth the cost.

Can You Put Lights in Composite Decking?

Absolutely! Keep in mind that natural wood and composite decking have quite different properties. Natural wood decking is all fibers which have the possibility to break apart during alterations. Meanwhile, wood composite decking is a specific combination of wood particles, plastics, and other additives that holds together when altered with cables and lighting fixtures and proves to be more durable over time.

Where Should You Place Deck Lighting, and How Far Apart?

Deck lights are absolutely essential along the perimeter of any deck without a railing; stairs; and entry/exit points. Beyond that, you’ll want just enough to make the space feel cozy and welcoming.

In general, deck lighting is spaced a little closer together than walkway lights. This depends on the size and intensity of the lights but as a general rule, walkway lights are placed around 6 feet to 8 feet apart and many landscape designers recommend that deck lights are placed 4 feet to 6 feet apart. This difference will create a more lively atmosphere around your deck while walkways are transitional spaces that don’t need to be as well-lit. Avoid spacing deck lights further than 6 feet apart to prevent dark spots. Also avoid placing them closer than 4 feet apart to prevent over-illumination. After all, there’s a certain magic to the night that over-illumination will destroy.

What Voltage are Deck Lights?

The standard voltage used in American residential electrical grids is 120 volts. However this is not the voltage you’ll be using in LED deck lighting. In fact, the demands of your landscape lights will amount to only 12 volts in each light fixture. A transformer will convert the 120 volts to 12 volts to distribute to each light. Deck lighting systems that use more than 12 volts are rare and may provide far too much light than what’s comfortable or appealing in an outdoor living space.

Basically what this means is that LED lights will barely put a dent in your electric bill, even if you prefer a very brightly-lit deck.

What is the Best Color Temperature for Deck Lighting?

The color temperature of a light refers to the temperature at which the light uses energy and produces visible light. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). There are different color temperatures used in various applications of lighting. The terms “cool” and “warm” do not refer to the actual temperature but the feeling that the light evokes. A warm LED that produces a light reminiscent of candlelight will give a much more relaxed overall feel than a cool LED that produces light closer to natural midday sunlight, which makes for a more vibrant high-energy space.

The best color temperature for deck lighting is considered to be 2700K, which corresponds to the “warm white” description. This color temperature will safely illuminate the entire deck space without appearing too bright or overbearing in the outdoor setting. A lower color temperature, such as candlelight at 2200K, would be too low for a deck unless you want to create a very intimate low-light space. Meanwhile, many indoor lights such as the kitchen or bathroom are set to 3500-4000K, which can cause uncomfortable glare and discomfort when surrounded by dark areas outside.

If you’re using task lighting such as in an outdoor kitchen however, a few 4000K undercounter lights would be useful for that purpose. For all seating areas as well as safety lighting, 2700K lights (“warm white”) are the perfect compromise between having enough light and too light that is too bright.

Remember, too, that the intensity of a fixture will affect the ultimate feeling. You can get 2700K lights as a 40 watt equivalent, or as a 100 watt equivalent. This is where it’s important to map out where you need lighting and for what purpose.

Are LEDs the Best Way to Light a Deck?

Yes. Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are the most efficient way to light a deck and just as importantly, they produce the right light temperature. LEDs can last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 hours depending on the fixture with most lasting in the 50,000 hour range (that’s about 5 years of 24/7 illumination).

Fluorescent lights are the only other inexpensive way to light a deck but to be frank, the light they emit is downright ugly. It’s fine for a commercial setting such as a convenience store, but even so-called warm fluorescent lights are rarely warm enough visually to produce a pleasing ambient light on a backyard deck. They also last only about 10,000 hours.

Forget halogen or incandescent fixtures. If you already have them and you want just one single upgrade that will completely change your life, consider retrofitting your deck with LEDs to avoid the hassle of frequent bulb changes and the potential of overheating since both halogen and incandescent fixtures put out a lot of heat. You’ll also save a lot of money on electricity by switching to LEDs.

Which is Better: Solar Powered or Low Voltage Deck Lighting?

Although there are many benefits to using solar powered lighting in a landscape (zero energy cost and easy installation being the biggest), there is still one big problem: solar light isn’t always reliable. When the days have been cloudy for quite some time or if snow has covered the lights, the solar cells will not have had the chance to charge the batteries. The result could be lower intensity light, or no light. Even when the sun is shining every day, solar powered lights don’t have the intensity of hardwired or plug-in lights.

For that reason, we recommend low-voltage hardwired lighting for decks. You can use solar lights to create depth and dimension in the landscape where it’s no big deal if a week of cloud cover renders the lights unusable for a couple of days.

Low voltage deck lighting that is hardwired to your home’s power supply will ensure that the deck is illuminated whenever it’s necessary. We always recommend using low voltage deck lighting for both safety and aesthetic reasons. Plug-in lighting such as string lights are also a better option than solar lights if the intent is creating a safe and welcoming outdoor living space.

How Does Trex Deck Lighting Work?

Trex is the most well known name in the decking industries all over the world. They have transcended the traditional use of natural wood in decking to create some incredible composite decking materials. Since they ushered in the age of composite decking a few decades ago, Trex has expanded into designing and manufacturing the other various accessories that make up a successful deck. This includes rail lights, cap lights, dot lights, and more.

Trex uses powder coated aluminum and impact-resistant resin in the structure of their deck lighting in order to protect the fragile elements inside. They are proven to be waterproof fixtures and resistant to salty air as well to prevent any rusting or damage in the interior structure. All bulbs inside Trex deck lighting are LEDs, meaning that they have the highest electrical efficiency and don’t give off any excess heat. Best of all, the LEDs used in Trex deck lighting should be expected to last well over 10 years.

Trex deck lighting fixtures are all manufactured in order to produce lighting at 3000K, which is slightly over the warm white standard that is used in deck lighting. This is so a sudden power surge won’t damage the lights and you can adjust the lighting intensity as necessary. All Trex deck lighting systems are integrated into a hub and spoke model so you won’t need to splice any wiring or have any electrical training of any kind in order to install or replace a fixture. (Image Source: Trex)

Is Trex Deck Lighting Worth It?

Absolutely! Trex is the leading brand involved in all things deck-related. They have made a name for themselves since their founding in 1996 by inventing the idea of composite decking and perfecting it year after year with consistent innovations. Since leading the decking market, Trex has also partnered with fantastic lighting companies such as Cree LEDs in order to make their products look amazing and stay safe at night. Each Trex deck lighting fixture should be expected to last well over 10 years and is backed by a company guaranteed 7 year warranty.

What are the Best Brands in Deck Lighting?

As always, we want to give you a good product roundup of some of the leading products. There are other companies that offer quality deck lighting, but the following brands offer excellent products and high value. For the best in deck lighting, you can rely on some of these trustworthy brands:

Trex

Trex: We’ve already shown our love for deck lighting products from Trex. You can find all sorts of excellent products such as this LED Post Cap Light from Trex to help style out your deck.

Kichler

Kichler: A leader in home and landscape lighting, Kichler has been producing high quality fixtures for years. Check out this Half Moon LED Deck Light from Kichler to fit into your deck. This stylish mid-century modern architectural bronze light is designed to mount to posts or railings to provide safety and ambience to any deck.

WAC Lighting

WAC Lighting: Already well known for their excellent ceiling and wall-mounted fans, WAC has also expanded into the lighting field. The wonderful dimmable Vertical Step and Wall Light in amber gives you the option of adding warmer light to your deck. This fixture can be mounted on posts or the walls of your home. Its sleek modern look features a bronze finish that works with any decor.

Light Up the Night for Fun

We recommend mixing several deck lighting techniques to achieve a contemporary outdoor living space. Creating a special night-time ambience just requires a bit of planning. Work with a professional landscape lighting designer who will not only recommend a strategy but the best fixtures to meet your needs and stay within your budget.

Deck Lighting: a Buyer’s Guide to Illuminating Your Outdoor Living Space