Lights installed around a patio set the poolside mood.

Adding an outdoor kitchen to your patio space can be a great way to take your outdoor entertaining to the next level. Rather than having to seclude yourself inside your home’s kitchen to prepare a meal for your guests, an outdoor kitchen allows you to remain a part of the party while you prep, cook, and serve.

Still, when it comes to planning your outdoor kitchen, there’s a lot more to consider than the layout, appliances, and materials you select. One important aspect you won’t want to overlook is choosing the right lighting for your outdoor kitchen.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to selecting lights for an outdoor kitchen space? Consider these options, then schedule a consultation with a lighting professional to help make the best choices for your needs.

Landscape Lighting to Reduce Tripping Hazards

Outdoor tripping hazards are a concern that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially in an area where you’ll be doing a lot of food prep and working with potentially sharp utensils. With this in mind, it’s important to install plenty of lighting in your outdoor kitchen to illuminate the space and cut down on tripping hazards not just for you, but for your guests as well. This will be especially important if you plan on doing any outdoor cooking or entertaining at night.

There are a few different types of lighting to choose from that can help to reduce tripping hazards.

Pathway Lights

The right outdoor lighting is essential for keeping your guests safe as they navigate through your outdoor living areas and yard. Specifically, path lights are a great option for helping to lead guests from your outdoor kitchen to an adjacent outdoor dining area or other entertainment space in your yard.

Likewise, pathway lights can serve the added purpose of highlighting your flower beds, gardens, and other areas that you want to prevent your guests from stepping over. There are many different types and styles of pathway lights, ranging from hard-wired to solar-powered designs.

Landscape Stair or Step Lights

The walk way up to a Ft Worth home is lit up by LED Lighting

Another huge tripping hazard to consider in your outdoor space is any stairs you may have leading to/from your deck, patio, or other areas of your yard. Changes in elevation and lack of proper lighting create the perfect storm for an accidental fall.

Fortunately, stair or step lights can always be installed to reduce tripping hazards. Consider having these added to any existing steps on your outdoor property. These are especially important in areas that lead to important appliances (such as your grill) with a change in elevation.

Outdoor Kitchen Under-Counter Lighting

Lights installed underneath the counters in your outdoor kitchen are a great way to create visual interest, especially when preparing food at night. Likewise, these lights help ensure your guests can see their food. This type of lighting, in turn, can reduce the risk of accidental spills, especially in bartop areas.

Under-counter lighting can also be installed underneath a countertop with storage underneath, making it easier to see the tools you need to make the perfect meal.

Multi-Functional Outdoor Kitchen Lights

Installing lighting that can serve more than one functional purpose will help you get the most “bang” for your buck while also improving the use of your outdoor kitchen space. Some examples of multi-functional outdoor lighting fixtures to consider include ceiling fans with lights and task lights.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans With Lights

If you live in an area that experiences a hot climate (like here in Texas), then you already know that even the nighttime can have a little bit of leftover heat from the day. This can make sitting outside uncomfortable, even when no sun is beating down on you. This can be worsened by heat from cooking food outdoors.

With this in mind, a ceiling fan with lighting can be the perfect solution to ensure that your outdoor kitchen area has plenty of light and that you and your guests stay as comfortable as possible—even on warmer nights. Ceiling fans also create an air current, which is ideal for deterring mosquitoes. It’s a win-win!

Task Lights

Task lighting is extremely important to have installed in any outdoor kitchen. Specifically, this type of lighting is designed to help illuminate your workspace, allowing you to see exactly what you’re doing for food prep. This is especially important when you’re working with sharp objects (such as knives) to cut up vegetables or when cooking on a hot stove/grill.

Meanwhile, carefully selected task lights can double as accent lights by showing off the pride of your kitchen. Whether it’s your gorgeous countertops, your shiny outdoor appliances, or the architecture and features surrounding your outdoor kitchen, the right lighting goes a long way in highlighting these special features. 

Accent Lighting

Stylish patio furniture around a well lit outdoor kitchen

In addition to path/stair lighting and multi-functional lighting, it’s nice to have some simple accent lighting to create ambiance in your outdoor kitchen and entertaining space. Both pendant lights and chandeliers can be used to set the mood with warm lighting for a more enjoyable gathering.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights come in a wide range of styles and can be used to accent your space while providing a small amount of task lighting as well. Specifically, pendant lights hang down from a ceiling or other covered outdoor space and are great for illuminating:

  • Countertops
  • Cooktops
  • Work and Prep Spaces

Chandeliers 

If you want to make a statement with your outdoor lighting, consider installing an outdoor chandelier in your kitchen or dining area. These are perfect for creating a lovely, elegant atmosphere for your al fresco dining experience. Some outdoor chandeliers come with a dimmable option, making it possible to control the amount of light you want for your outdoor party or gathering.

Transform Your Outdoor Kitchen With the LED Landscape Lighting

The right lighting can make all the difference in your outdoor kitchen space, so be sure to keep these options in mind. And remember to reach out to our experienced team at Creative Nightscapes for help with your landscape lighting design! Contact our team today!

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