Three Ways to Light Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living areas are more popular than ever! During the pandemic, people spent more time outdoors appreciating nature and the surrounding beauty of the landscape. As a result, people now covet carefully designed outside spaces that function as additional rooms to a home or apartment.

Lighting an outdoor space is essential for the optimal enjoyment of these areas. The trick to getting a well-lit outdoor patio is directing the light where you need it. Here are three ways to light outdoor living spaces.  

1. Wonderful Wall Lanterns

Featuring Ramsey

Wall lanterns are an ideal selection for uncovered patios, decks, apartment balconies, and other spaces that may only have an overhang. These fixtures come in many styles, shapes, and sizes. Our latest collections include the sophisticated styling of Ramsey, whose elongated silhouette and clear glass panels bring dimension to the structure and create a distinctive design.

The popular farmhouse trend inspires Gunther lanterns, and its cylindrical shape perfectly showcases vintage-style light bulbs. For a more traditional wall lantern, we recommend Wakeford, whose water glass and crown molding trim give this lantern a nostalgic look with modern appeal.

2. Outdoor Pendants, Chandeliers, and Ceiling Lights

Featuring Edgecliff

Lighting choices abound for covered patios, decks, and lanais with roofs. Indoor lighting styles are constructed for outdoor living using corrosion-proof materials, LED lighting and wet or damp ratings.  

Our Swansea Outdoor Collection offers several fixtures with design elements made for outdoor use. Strong geometric lines distinguish Swansea outdoor living lights, and an open, minimalist frame with an arched top gives the airy structure added dimension. Crisp, clear glass shades are enclosed to protect the elegant candelabra lights from the elements.

The Point Dume® Outdoor Collection, created by famed interior designer, Jeffrey Alan Marks especially for Progress Lighting, offers the signature style of a Hamptons New York, beach home. Our favorites include the Edgecliff pendant, whose design celebrates the austere simplicity and functionality of America's architecturally distinct corrugated metal-clad buildings. Another is the Shadmore hanging pendant, featuring interconnected geometric cubes forming a spacious frame around an elegant, marbleized acrylic shade, creating a striking focal point while delivering an inviting, warm glow.  

For the modern minimalist, we present our Surface Mount Cylinder light. This luminaire has a sleek, modular style and a swivel head design that casts crisp, multi-directional light. It is ideal for use as a downlight to add clean architectural styling to an outdoor living space.

3. Ceiling Fans with Style and Flair

Featuring Bastrop

While many ceiling fans are now rated for both indoor and outdoor use, one of the newest styles we love is the Bastrop fandelier which has a rustic industrial vibe. Its updated vintage styling comes from its wood tons, metal cage frame construction and curved blades, and it is sure to become a topic of conversation when family and guests gather underneath.

Explore all the ways you can light your outdoor living spaces. Want more inspiration? Read our other blog posts to get more out of your outdoor lighting.