Patio Umbrellas, Heaters, Shades | Patio Heat and Shade

When it comes to patios, bigger isn’t always better. Outfitting your small patio to make the most of your space is key to increased enjoyment… a small grill station here, an infrared heater there and you’re ready to go. Lighting your outdoor space not only adds safety and security, but it’ll also be the easiest way to set the mood for our backyard parties. We asked our patio experts to find their 10 favorite small patio lighting ideas and boy did they deliver!

Idea 1: String Lights and a Chandelier for your Gazebo

String Lights and an Orb Outdoor Chandelier Hanging from an Outdoor Gazebo in a Backyard

As a long-time staple for patios everywhere, string lights offer an inexpensive way to add ambient lighting to your gazebo or pergola… they’re perfect for general lighting, but they lack a little pizazz. Add a little more style to your small patio by supplementing this general lighting with an outdoor chandelier to add a stylish focal point to your backyard get-togethers. When selecting your chandelier, make sure to choose one that is “wet rated” so that rain or mist won’t be a problem. We love the Crystorama Lighting Solaris outdoor chandelier for the classic design and crystal details.

Idea 2: Create Ambiance with a Fire Pit Table at Night

One Linear Fire Pit Table Lit up at Night

Allow us to present to you the trifecta of patio gadgets – the linear fire pit. Top quality fire pits like the Fire Pit Art Linear fire pit, provide light, heat, and the amazing ambiance that only flickering flames can provide. Fitted for either natural gas or liquid propane installation, the warm glow of this modern fire pit comes in 36”, 48”, 60” or 72” sizes. Whether you have a whole gaggle of people to entertain or just the one special someone, the romantic atmosphere created by the beckoning flames will captivate their attention for hours on end.

Idea 3: Add Outdoor Wall Lights Over a Seating Area

Two Black Outdoor Wall Lanterns Lit Up at Night Hanging Over a Seating Area with Two Chairs and an Accent Table

Small patio spaces are perfect for a couple of comfy chairs and a small end table to create a mini conversation pit. By adding decorative outdoor wall lights (sconces), the area has been transformed into a cozy conversation pit or quiet reading nook. The Kichler Lighting wall sconces aren’t just ready for the elements, they defy them. As part of the Kichler Climates collection, they are made of a unique material built to withstand saltwater spray, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Curl up with a cozy blanket and a good book and while away the hours in this cozy nook.

Idea 4: An Outdoor Chandelier for Your Outdoor Dining Room

One Outdoor Linear Chandelier Hanging Over a Covered Outdoor Patio Dining Table

Once you’ve put in an outdoor dining area, you’ll wonder how you ever did without one. Compliment your outdoor dining area with an amazing outdoor chandelier – If you’ve got a long table, we suggest an elongated wet-rated chandelier like the Hinkley Lighting Alford Place chandelier. Add this piece into our 12-volt backyard lighting plan to light your patio in style. Constructed with the highest tolerances, this gorgeous fixture is perfectly at home under a covered patio or even hanging from a slatted gazebo (rated for direct water contact).

Idea 5: Pathway Lights to Highlight Walkways and Your Landscape Design

One Low Voltage Pathway Light Lit Up at Night

As your guests arrive at your house and begin to traverse the walkway to your front door, make sure that they have the light they need to follow your path safely by installing pathway lights about every 8 feet. With a nod to nautical inspirations, the Kichler Lighting Seaside low voltage path light runs off of a 12-volt transformer (sold separately). They’re also the perfect way to light a backyard garden path to guide your guests through your outdoor space and allow them to enjoy all your backyard has to offer.

Idea 6: Complete Your Outdoor Living Room with an Outdoor Chandelier

One Rattan Outdoor Chandelier Hanging over an Outdoor Covered Living Room

Living rooms are perfectly named – for many of us, when we’re not working on something we’re hanging out in the living room. Create your outdoor living room built for relaxation – start with an amazing fireplace and add softly cushioned furniture, plenty of tables (where frosty beverages can rest) and cap off the space with a fabulous chandelier. The densely woven, weather-resistant handcrafted mocha rattan shade on the Progress Lighting Pembroke outdoor chandelier creates a casual vibe, perfect for long conversations by the fire.

Idea 7: LED Lit Umbrella for Your Pool or Hot Tub

Some folks think that just because a pool or hot tub doesn’t have a roof above it, they can’t get appropriate lighting for the area. Not so, young Padawan. During the day, the shade from the SimplyShade Bali Pro square starlight cantilever umbrella keeps your family and friends cool without that annoying center pole getting in the way. As dusk moves merrily toward evening, you’ll find the built-in LED lights on the ribs of the inside of the umbrella to be the perfect illumination – nice even coverage. Shade by day, light by night… what could be better?

Idea 8: Separate Outdoor Dining from Outdoor Living with an Outdoor Chandelier

One Outdoor Chandelier Hanging Over an Outdoor Dining Table on a Covered Patio

Once you’ve decided on your basic furniture layout, use ceiling fans and outdoor lighting to create virtual room separations and define each space. In your living room space, you’ll find that a ceiling fan with a light kit pulls double duty (cooling your guests in the summer and lighting the area all year round). Add a classic outdoor chandelier to your dining space to define its purpose and create a “room” focal point. We’re partial to the unique “rounded square” look of the Progress Lighting Swansea outdoor chandelier, perfect for installation under a covered porch or patio.

Idea 9: Add Outdoor Wall Lanterns for a Small Patio Dining Space

Two Outdoor Wall Sconces Lit Up at Night Next to an Outdoor Dining Table in a Backyard

What do you do with a small patio space that doesn’t have a roof? Dangling a chandelier from a tree branch is probably a non-starter… but we’ve got the perfect solution for you. Add a pair of stylish outdoor wall lights (aka sconces) to create the outdoor light you need while taking up the least possible space. We find that the ribbed clear glass of the Kichler Lighting Brix outdoor wall mount adds a dimension and texture to your outdoor space. Fully wet-rated, the rich black finish with a subtle surface texture effortlessly complements various design styles.

Idea 10: Hardscape Lights are Perfect for Retaining Walls

Five Hardscape Lights Mounted Underneath a Retaining Wall on the Outside of a Garden

We’ll finish up with one of our favorite small patio lighting ideas… when creating hardscaping, build in long-lasting LED lights to dramatically light your masonry work. The perfect place for hardscape lighting is steps – enhancing the safety of your guests as they light the area beautifully. Added to retaining or sitting walls, hardscape lighting creates pathways for your guests with just a touch of drama thrown in. As a part of the 12-volt landscape plan, the Hinkley Lighting Nuvi deck light fits in perfectly on this short retaining wall, creating a lit pathway for guests.

Wrap-Up

Include a few of these small patio lighting ideas in your backyard patio plan to turn a small space into a cozy outdoor haven for you and your family.﻿﻿When trying to outfit your patio to be the best that it can be, it can sometimes be confusing to identify which product is perfect for you. That’s where we come in. We’ve got the best patio experts in the business, ready and waiting for you to give them a call. Call us today – we promise to treat you like family.

10 Small Patio Lighting Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

Idea 1: String Lights and a Chandelier for your Gazebo

Idea 2: Create Ambiance with a Fire Pit Table at Night

Idea 3: Add Outdoor Wall Lights Over a Seating Area

Idea 4: An Outdoor Chandelier for Your Outdoor Dining Room

Idea 5: Pathway Lights to Highlight Walkways and Your Landscape Design

Idea 6: Complete Your Outdoor Living Room with an Outdoor Chandelier

Idea 7: LED Lit Umbrella for Your Pool or Hot Tub

Idea 8: Separate Outdoor Dining from Outdoor Living with an Outdoor Chandelier

Idea 9: Add Outdoor Wall Lanterns for a Small Patio Dining Space

Idea 10: Hardscape Lights are Perfect for Retaining Walls

Wrap-Up

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Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications