Eight DIY Outdoor Lighting Projects That Will Make Shorter Days Less Dark
If you’re anything like me, the end of Daylight Saving Time hits you like a truck and you get depressed every time you look outside after 5 pm and see nothing but complete darkness.
Making your outdoor areas a little brighter and more inviting won’t necessarily cure your seasonal affective disorder, but it may give you a little relief from the short days and make the long nights a little cozier. Here are eight outdoor lighting projects you can DIY with little to no wiring.
Add some light to your staircase
Installing solar powered lanterns on stair steps is a way to make them safer and ward off the darkness. Staircase lights can be installed without any wiring and are charged by the sun during the daytime. These lanterns are an easy way to brighten up the night and help prevent falls from outside stairs.
Add a lamp post
Installing a light pole doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Solar light poles can be installed without any wiring and will add a charming and cozy look to your yard. Some newer posts install using a corkscrew anchor and do not require a concrete base or post hole. (Be sure to call your local government before digging to avoid puncturing utility lines.)
Hang some sconces
Outdoor sconces can help shed light on parts of your home’s exterior where other lighting is not possible. The solar sconces can be installed using a screwdriver along with the included mounting hardware and hung on any street that receives at least 4-5 hours of sunlight per day. Most outdoor solar wall sconces come with solar panels that can be targeted to maximize sun exposure.
Try a flashlight
If you have a porch or patio where you can use ambient lighting, a lantern is a good choice. Hanging solar lights can be installed anywhere you can screw a hook or find a surface to place them on, and require no wiring to install.
Decorate your deck
Fence post lights can add a warm detail to your deck or porch without the need for wiring. Fence post cap lights are installed using the included mounting hardware and a screwdriver onto a four-by-four deck or fence post. Larger profile lights can be used to change the height of your lighting scheme to add more visual interest.
Add starburst
Adding decorative lighting just for fun can help prevent a gloomy evening as much as practical lighting. Adding solar fireworks can brighten up a dark area of the garden or patio a bit. They are installed by driving a mounting post into the ground and pointing the solar cell at the sun.
Dress up your fence
Adding decorative lights to your fence will allow you to brighten up a dull backyard space while also improving visibility. Decorative fence lights are designed to create a pattern on a wood fence, but there is no rule against using them on the wall of a shed or garage. They can be installed using a screwdriver and the included mounting hardware, with no wiring required—they require several hours of daylight to charge.
Add solar pavers
Solar pavers are one of the coolest outdoor lighting options that add an attractive glow to your home’s exterior. These solar bricks can be used to illuminate walkways and patios, replacing some traditional bricks with glowing pavers. No wiring is required, but they will require a few hours of sun exposure to charge. Adding these bricks will take some planning if you don’t already have a path of standard sized bricks, but if you already have a path of bricks, you can replace the existing bricks with glowing ones.