It started with a single citronella candle. And then Tanya got ideas.
Tanya wasn’t planning on becoming that neighbor. You know the one—the DIY goddess with a patio that somehow looks like a music video and a meditation app had a baby. But one balmy Thursday night in June, sitting outside with a glass of wine and that sad little candle, she realized something: her backyard was giving off serious "meh."
By Saturday, she had a vision. She was going to transfer all the good vibes she was keeping on her Pinterest board to real life.
She grabbed a pack of string lights. Then came the planters. Then the spray paint. Then the hammock, then the DIY outdoor movie theatre...
Welcome to the wild side of patio lighting. We’re not talking about the basic string light drape. We’re talking disco zones, firefly corners, starlit canopy caves. It’s summer. Go bold.
Table of Contents
- Setting the Mood: Choose Your Vibe
- Light Like a Pro (Even if You're Not)
- Compare Your Options: What’s Best for Your Backyard Bash?
- Wrapping It in Warm Glow
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
Setting the Mood: Choose Your Vibe
To pick the right lighting setup, start with your party personality. Which one are you?
🌿 The Chill Zen Garden
You're not just decorating a patio—you’re cultivating serenity. Your ideal evening involves barefoot walks across cool deck boards, herbal tea (or a very quiet Chardonnay), and a podcast about lunar cycles. Lighting isn’t for showing off—it’s for settling in.
Your Setup:
- Warm white micro lights wrapped around low garden shrubs
- Curtain drops behind your hammock to create a meditative nook
- A tabletop fire bowl, not for s’mores—for ambiance
- Maybe a wind chime, definitely some citronella incense
You Believe: Peace is a glow, not a glare.
💡 Lights to Try: Micro Lights, Icicle Lights
🎉 The “Let’s Rage” Patio
You treat your patio like a club, a cabana, and a karaoke stage depending on the night. Your Spotify playlist is mostly remixes, and you’ve definitely yelled “Shot o’clock!” at least once this summer. You want your lights to dance—and ideally change color when the beat drops.
Your Setup:
- Bold G30 or G50 bulbs strung across the yard like party streamers
- Twinkly Plus lights programmed to strobe when "Hotline Bling" hits
- A plastic flamingo with LED eyes (you named her Kiki)
- Inflatable couches + drink station with LED ice cubes
You Believe: If it doesn’t flash or pulse, it’s furniture.
💡 Lights to Try: G50 Filament Bulbs, Twinkly Plus
🌌 The Starry-Eyed Dreamer
You throw celestial dinner parties and low-key solstice rituals. You know all your friends’ birth charts and once tried to charge your patio crystals during a lunar eclipse. Your lighting is more than decor—it’s an experience.
Your Setup:
- Curtain lights overhead for that “indoor starscape” illusion
- Chromaglow trim that shifts to aurora-inspired color palettes
- Moon phase wall art and maybe a mirror orb (for “energy amplification,” obviously)
- You may or may not own a tarot deck stored in a vintage birdcage
You Believe: The universe is watching... so make it jealous.
💡 Lights to Try: Chromaglow Permanent Lighting, C6 String Lights
Light Like a Pro (Even if You're Not)
Lighting is an art, yes—but it’s also a science. Follow these quick tips:
- Height Matters: Hang main strings at 8–10 feet for optimal diffusion and ambiance.
- Mix Your Bulb Types: Combine smooth micro lights with faceted or filament bulbs for texture.
- Use Zones: Create “light islands” for different activities—eating, chilling, dancing, meditating, whatever your thing is.
Comparison Table: Pick Your Patio Weapon
| Product | Best For | Look | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| G50 Filament Bulbs | Classic glow over a deck | Warm & retro | Shop |
| Micro Lights | Fairy vibes in planters or trees | Soft twinkle | Shop |
| Chromaglow Pro Trim | Year-round color vibes | App-controlled WOW | Learn More |
| Twinkly Plus | Animated party zones | Dynamic color | Shop |
Wrapping It in Warm Glow
Your backyard isn’t just a backyard. It’s a stage. A sanctuary. A spotlight. Whether you’re entertaining, reflecting, or just making your neighbors a little jealous, the right lighting turns your patio into your space.
So go bold. Go weird. Go full fairy disco jungle. Just make sure your lights can keep up.
🎇 Shop the full summer-ready collection at Big Star Lights—trusted by pros, loved by dreamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I leave my patio lights up all year?
A: Absolutely—especially if you're using Big Star’s Chromaglow or commercial-grade mini-lights built for outdoor longevity.
Q: What kind of lights are safe near plants or trees?
A: Look for LED micro or mini lights with insulated wire. BSL’s stretch string lights even move with growing trees!
Q: Are Big Star Lights easy to install myself?
A: Yes! Most products come with DIY-friendly options and toolkits. Or hire a pro from BSL’s installer network.
Summary
- Use lighting to reflect your vibe—calm, crazy, or somewhere in between
- Mix bulb types for layers of texture
- Use pro tools for safer, cleaner installs
- Chromaglow = year-round party potential
- Big Star Lights = tested in Canadian winters = perfect for summer everything