Summer nights are the perfect time to enjoy outdoor areas. But not all patios and seating areas are located right outside your back door. To make the most of these spaces, you’ll need to consider outdoor lighting around pathways for safety concerns. If you have guests, the front and side doors can also be unpleasant and hazardous to reach if walkways and stairs are not adequately illuminated.
What are some versatile choices outdoor lighting to create a more inviting atmosphere and guarantee safe, well-lit pathways? Well, we have some simple and stylish lighting ideas that will help you easily avoid stumbling and fumbling in the dark while also adding an ambient touch to your outdoor decor.
Let's discover how to light your walkways for summer nighttime safety.
Discover permanent smart lights
For easy walkway lighting, install permanent smart lights – a modern take on permanent lighting. Twinkly smart lights are controlled through the Twinkly App using your home Wi-fi. You can easily adjust brightness and customize and create color schemes and patterns from over 16 million hues. Smart lights can be programmed to light up at a specified time, like the beginning of dusk, to ensure safety and accessibility.
Twinkly’s permanent smart outdoor lights install easily onto rooflines, eaves, fences, trees and walkways. Use the stick-on, adhesive backing or the screw plates to secure them to your desired surface.
You can choose to light pathways from above or below, depending on the atmosphere you want to create. Outdoor downlighting means the lights shine downward, increasing overall visibility for more functional spaces. Uplighting casts light upward, ideal for pathways so you can see where you are walking, while adding dimension and mystique to your landscape.
No matter how you position Twinkly lights, the mapping technology and the Twinkly app give you control over each individual LED from your smartphone, allowing you to display, customize and create infinite animations. For special events and holidays, they can be mapped together with any other Twinkly lights for coordinated lighting décor throughout the year. The IP65 certification guarantees weatherproof protection.
Style paths with mappable string and cluster lights
Maybe you're looking for a more whimsical, less permanent choice for your pathway lighting décor. Twinkly Strings and Cluster lights can be placed along the perimeters of your walkways and secured with mini stakes that anchor to the grass or dirt if you have a garden bed.
String LED lights can also easily be secured to fencing or railings lining walkways.
Twinkly Strings are ultra-versatile, smart string lights, while Cluster features more LEDs clustered onto each string with denser. Both lights offer the same exclusive features that are packed into the Twinkly App. Twinkly lights are also extraordinarily bright and vibrant, both of which can be adjusted in the app with a dimming feature and a palette of over 16 million shades.
Just like all Twinkly Lights, you can position them however you desire. They add an instant decorative touch. The Twinkly App will use your smartphone camera to locate and position each LED onto a map on your screen. Effects and animations will play seamlessly on the screen-like display, illuminating your pathway with personalized style. Other handy features include setting ON/OFF times and creating playlists of your favorite effects for your lights.
Strings and Cluster LED lights are IP44 certified for outdoor use. If you want to keep them up all year round, make sure to clean them down regularly so dirt doesn’t become embedded and check them for wear and tear. If you bring them in after the summer season, check out our guide on how to properly clean and store your lights.
Create whimsy with DIY lanterns
To create a whimsical look that’s also functional, combine Twinkly string lights with empty glass-pane lanterns spaced along your summertime walkway. You’ll have all of the same features mentioned above, with the added glow of LED lights nestled within reflective glass lanterns.
They illuminate your path with warm, welcoming animations and instantly add ambiance to your gathering space. With full app control, lights can be easily mapped to play any effect you choose or create, enhancing the aesthetic of your yard - from fire-fly-like, twinkling effects to colorful themes.
Twinkly lights are programmed and controlled via your home Wi-fi. If your Wi-fi doesn’t reach that far outdoors, consider buying a Wi-fi extender.
Make sure to watch your step!
From Permanent Lights to string lights and lanterns, it’s essential to apply these lighting techniques to stairs and uneven walkways, like slopes. Secure all lights so they won’t be knocked over and cause further safety hazards. Strategically place your lights to illuminate the whole area so everyone can see where they are stepping.
Always blend aesthetics with functionality
The key to beautiful and effective walkway lighting is finding balance between function and form. Choose lights that will add beauty to your landscape and provide sufficient brightness. Make sure you test out the brightness of your Twinkly lights before choosing your setting. Lights should never be too dim. Whether you prefer a soft, warm glow or bright white light, choosing the right safety lights can make your outdoor area a comfortable and secure place.
Good outdoor lighting can be the game-changer for summer night safety. With the addition of permanent smart lights, LED string lights and cluster lights, and other cutting-edge lighting solutions, you’ll be able to illuminate your walkways to optimize both safety and beauty. Take time to invest in good walkway lighting to enjoy safe, peaceful summer nights without worry.
