Are you looking to liven up your backyard, deck, or patio? Have you considered using outdoor party lights? There are many great designs and styles that are sure to deliver the exact kind of atmosphere or mood you’re looking to establish. There are all kinds of fun and festive lights you can use in your outdoor living areas to get the party started off right.
But that’s not all these lights are good for. You can use these fun lights to flaunt your unique and quirky style year round. You can buy different kinds of outdoor party lights and change them with the seasons. Most of them are quite affordable and you can pack the spring lights away for the winter and bring them out again next spring.
Buying Outdoor Party Lights
Before you rush out and buy the first package of outdoor party lights you come across there are a few questions you need to ask yourself first.
• How much lighting do you need for this party? There are different kinds of outdoor lighting that can be used for lighting up your next party. If you’re looking for dim and very subtle lighting then string lights are a great choice as your primary light source. Most outdoor parties are going to need a little more illumination so you may need to supplement these lights with other things like a fire pit, patio lights, pathway running lights, and a few well placed lanterns and spotlights.
• Do you need outdoor party lighting for only one or two events in the course of a year or will this be a frequent occurrence? The more you plan on using the lighting the bigger the investment you can reasonably make in the lighting. If your backyard is going to be the “go to” party hot spot of the summer or the rest of the year, then it makes sense to make a major investment in the lighting. If this is a one time event like a sweet sixteen party or something then you’ll want to make a smaller investment in outdoor party lighting.
• How much space do you need to shed a little light on? The larger the space, the more lighting you’ll need. Keep in mind that it’s not only about the size of the space but also the obstacles, nooks, and crannies that might need to be lit up as well.
• What kind of wiring access or knowledge do you have or will you need? Some homes have electrical outlets around the exterior. All that is needed in these instances are lights that can plug in or be used with extension cords. Others will require different lighting options such as hard wired lighting or solar powered lighting. You have to figure out what kind of lighting will be a better fit for your home and your level of skill (or budget to hire professionals) at electrical work. You might even want to use solar outdoor party lights because then you don’t have to worry about wiring at all since they are powered by the sun’s energy.
• What kind of budget do you have to work with? Budgets are more important these days than they’ve been in years. Setting a budget before you set your heart on a certain lighting plan can help you keep things from getting out of hand and make you more likely to get what you need for your outdoor party lighting.
Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Party Lights for Your Party
Getting the lighting right can make or break your next outdoor party. Too much lighting and your neighbors might start to complain. Not enough lighting and your guests will be tripping all over themselves and each other. It’s a balancing act and one that’s going to take some careful planning in order to make it “just right”.
Your outdoor party lights should also suit the theme of your party whenever possible. It’s fairly simple to get a few standard lights for parties and then personalize for individual parties with string lighting that matches the décor or theme of the party you’re throwing.
Beach themed parties can use string lights with flip-flops for a fun shout out to those hot summer days – and nights – on the beach. Tropical themed parties can use Tiki lantern string lights. Outdoor cocktail parties can use margarita lights and chili pepper string lights can be used for almost any kind of party under the sun. The main goal is to use lighting that is reusable for the main lighting and use small touches to promote a specific theme for your party.
How to Manage the Costs of Outdoor Party Lighting
Parties, whether they are indoors or outside parties can get out of hand quickly when it comes to budgeting if you aren’t careful. That’s why it’s so important to have a budget established before you go out and start buying things. Properly planning every detail down to the outdoor party lighting can help you save big time money on your next party. Here are a few pointers that will help you reign in those expenses.
• Set a budget for the entire party and then decide on a percentage of that budget to devote to party lighting. By doing this first, you know what you have to work with and can avoid overspending on one aspect of your party planning.
• Buy lighting that can be reused whenever possible. Whenever you buy lighting that can be used for other parties or work with other themes, you’ll be able to save money on the next party that rolls around.
• Keep in mind that things like citronella candles, Tiki torches, and outdoor fire pits will also contribute to the lighting at your party.
• Realize that it doesn’t have to be perfect in order to be a lot of fun. Don’t sweat the details too much, in other words.
It’s the little things that often break budgets the most. Pay attention to the details. Write down how much you have to spend and how much you’ve already spent on lighting. This will help you keep track of what’s going on and make sure you aren’t running the risk of running out of money before you have the lighting you need while remaining certain that you’re getting the right outdoor party lights to make your next party a real hit.