With the recent heatwave, it is becoming more and more convenient to have an outdoor space for food preparation. Most homeowners have a grill as a minimum and these range from a small, simple propane or charcoal grill to expansive, multi burner grills with side burners and outdoor counter space. Proper outdoor lighting when it’s time to cook is essential, and as the days get shorter, this will be even more important.

Here are some ideas from Nite Time Décor Oakville on how you can incorporate some outdoor lighting for your outdoor cooking spaces that can dramatically improve your enjoyment of the food preparation and dining.

Overhead Grill Lighting

Placing a light above your outdoor grill is the best place to start. In order to cook properly on a grill it is essential to be able to see what you are cooking to make sure it is done before it’s removed from the grill. An overhead light is the best way to get enough light to cook properly on your grill.

Your overhead (or task) lighting should be fairly bright with a true white light in order to see what you are cooking accurately. It’s also helpful to have this light on a separate control or a dimmer so that when the cooking is done you can have the right ambiance for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

Dining Area Lighting

The lighting needs for an outdoor table are much different than the task lighting for food preparation. An outdoor dining area should be lit well enough to encourage conversation, but not so bright that it’s uncomfortable. Finding that right balance can be tricky and vary for different groups. We often install dimmers to make the lighting options more versatile and adjustable.

One common solution for the dining area is an outdoor ceiling fan with speed controls and lights with dimmers. The fan can help to keep those unwanted pesky mosquitoes and flies away.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting can help to create the right ambiance in the dining area. Some ideas include under-counter lights. Some LED tape lights just under the edge of a counter can be a very appealing effect. String lights can also be used as accent or general lighting for that outdoor bistro feel. Wall sconces can also be added to highlight attractive outdoor architecture and add to the overall lighting plan.

An outdoor cooking and dining space is wonderful this time of year. Not only do you get to enjoy this fabulous warm weather, but you can keep your house cool by cooking outside. Proper lighting for this outdoor space will make it attractive and welcoming for your guests as well as making food preparation more enjoyable and easier.

If you are considering adding lighting to your outdoor space or if you are just designing your outdoor cooking and dining space and are looking for help with your lighting design and installation, contact the professionals at Nite Time Decor Oakville. Our experts can help you design a space that you will want to enjoy over and over again!