5 Composite Decking Lighting Ideas

Our composite decking looks great in any setting, but you can really make your outdoor spaces shine with our decking lighting ideas.

There are plenty of ways to enhance your decking, from giving it a theme to thinking about your colour scheme and using features such as potted plants, patio furniture, soft furnishings and specially designed accessories such as our composite balustrades and composite garden screens. Using decking lights can help your decking area come alive at night and also make it safer to use once the lights go down.

There are numerous different types of light you can go for, and choosing the right decking light idea can really affect the look and feel of your deck. Whether you want to opt for a relaxing haven of peace or a bright deck for entertaining, our ideas for decking lights can add that extra sparkle to your space.

Here, we’ll show you five composite decking ideas with lights that will help you to get creative with your garden aesthetic. If you’re still planning your dream deck and want to see what it might look like with different lighting arrangements, order our free sample pack and take a look.

Article Contents

• Setting the Mood
• Composite Decking Lighting Ideas
• 1. Candles and Lanterns
• 2. LED Lighting
• 3. Recessed Lighting
• 4. Hanging Lights
• 5. Fire Pits
• Making Seasonal Adjustments to Your Deck Lighting
• Discover Composite Decking

Setting the Mood With Decking Lights

Outdoor deck lighting ideas can have a huge impact on the atmosphere and feel of your decking and surrounding outdoor spaces. Different types of lighting can reflect different moods, so it’s important to think about the effect you’re looking for when considering deck lighting.

There are a number of things to think about when choosing composite decking lights, including the brightness, colours and arrangements. Warm lights such as candles, lanterns and subdued electric lights are generally welcoming and relaxing, making them ideal for intimate gatherings or chilling out on your own. Colour-changing LED lights might be better for large gatherings with a more vibrant atmosphere.

There’s nothing to say that you have to stick to one lighting solution either. You can mix things up depending on the occasion and mood you want to achieve on any given night.

Composite Decking Light Ideas for Your Garden

1. Candles & Lanterns

One of the most popular composite decking lighting arrangements is to use classic candles and lanterns. The natural flickering flames of lamps and candlelight provide a cosy glow that is perfect for a summer evening, but can also add a warm feeling on cooler nights when you’re wrapped up.

There are many designs to choose from that will complement any composite decking colour. You could go for floating tea lights or simple, home-assembled candles in wine bottles – however, naked flames should always be placed safely and may need to be sheltered from the wind. Glass-fronted storm lanterns and hanging lanterns provide shelter to prevent your candles from going out and add their own stylish look, while outdoor candles and torch candles tend to have thicker wicks for outdoor use even in breezy conditions.

One benefit of candles and lamps is that they are so versatile and easy to rearrange. You could also opt for scented candles for added relaxation.

2. LED Lighting

If you want electric lighting in your outdoor area, LED lighting has a number of benefits. LED bulbs are very robust and can withstand shock and vibration well, making them ideal for well-used areas. Outdoor LED lighting will also be designed to be resistant to the elements, and it is very energy efficient. You can even choose solar-powered options that will be very cost effective in the long run.

There are also lots of choices when it comes to LED lighting to fit with your theme and help you achieve your perfect outdoor space. Simple solar-powered lights on spikes can easily be embedded in the garden or a plant pot to provide illumination for safety and clarity. Or you could go for brightly coloured jewelled dragonflies or twinkling fairy lights. Rock lights sit within actual or artificial rocks, and standing LED lamp posts can be great for bigger gardens. LED lighting is hugely versatile and is suitable for all sorts of different garden designs.

3. Recessed Deck Lighting

Recessed decking lights are a very popular choice with garden lovers and it’s easy to see why. Built-in lighting can look very sleek and stylish and, once installed, it is very convenient and fuss-free. Recessed decking lights are installed flush with the decking, so there’s nothing to accidentally kick or stub your toe on. It can be trickier to install though, so you might be better off getting professional help if you do want to incorporate recessed lights into your decking lights ideas.

As with other types of electric lighting, there are solar-powered options available. However, as they’re a permanent fixture, you might want to plug them into the mains for ease of use and reliability, with the cabling discretely and safely running to a handy power outlet.

There are various types of recessed lighting available, including stair lighting, floor lighting, rail lighting and downlighting. Stair lights can be particularly useful for safety reasons, but all recessed lighting will improve visibility on and around your decking, preventing trips or slips in the dark.

4. Hanging Lights

Hanging lights can be a wonderful addition to your garden and decking area, especially if you already have a pergola or a handy tree branch to hang them from.

Hanging lights may be more for effect than practicality, though they can certainly add to the overall light and visibility in your outdoor area. The effect they have can be absolutely stunning, adding a magical or relaxing feel while you entertain or unwind.

Hanging lanterns can be great if you have the headroom and may hold real candles or be battery, solar or mains powered. Fairy lights and string lights can be less physically obtrusive and produce a fairytale twinkle. Festoon lights, also known as cafe lights or party lights, are perfect for providing a glamorous illumination for larger gardens and gatherings.

5. Fire Pits

A fire pit can be a great focal point for a party or gathering, but it can also be perfect for simply snuggling up with someone special. Fire pits are generally free-standing, but you can also have one built into the decking, generally as a sunken fire pit.

Open flames can be both warming and romantic (and you can toast marshmallows, which is always a plus!), but you should also take safety precautions, especially if children are around. Composite decking is more heat and scorch-resistant than traditional timber decking, but you should still keep safety in mind when incorporating a fire pit into your decking, using fire-proof materials and proper ventilation in the area where it is sited.

Making Seasonal Adjustments to Your Deck Lighting

One of the great things about playing around with different composite decking lighting ideas is that it allows you to change the look and feel of your garden and decking without big structural changes. Think of lights as accessories for your deck that you can change without too much hassle. Even if you have built-in recess lighting, you can augment it with free-standing candles, lanterns, LED or hanging lights.

Changing your lighting based on the seasons can keep your garden looking fresh all year round. You might wish to use certain types of lighting for each season. For example, bright lighting might be better for cold, dark winter nights, whereas warm candlelight or lamplight is better for balmy summer evenings.

Discover our Range of Composite Decking

Choosing the right lighting can really set off the stylish look of your outdoor space and complement the many available colour schemes of our composite decking. Dino Decking’s extensive range of composite decking is available in a variety of colours and configurations, allowing you to design your dream deck before adding the finishing touches such as lighting, composite fencing and decking balustrade railings. Order your free composite decking samples for more inspiration or get in touch for more help and advice from our experienced team.