Lighting a fire pit area is similar to lighting a patio.
While the rest of the country is shivering in the cold, we are experiencing beautiful, mild weather here in the Clearwater and Tampa Bay area. 70’s and sunshine make living in Florida amazing this time of year. Just in time for the holidays, our weather is perfect for outdoor gatherings. Once the sun goes down, we can gather around a fire pit and not be uncomfortably cold or hot. Add a beverage and some s’mores, and we are ready for a perfect outdoor night. Have you noticed that the area around a fire pit can get very dark? Of course you have the light of the fire, but it’s still easy to lose your drink in the shadows or step on the marshmallow bag. Whether your fire pit is a permanent masonry structure or more mobile, like a bowl, ring, or chimenea, the area surrounding it becomes more beautiful and functional with the addition of outdoor lighting.
So for the area surrounding your fire pit, what fixtures and techniques are best for the design? Remember that this area is like a patio in many ways, so the design approach should be similar.
Wrapping string lights around trees or hanging them around the area adds plenty of light.
- Deck lights – If your fire pit area is surrounded on any number of sides by divider walls, deck lights can be mounted to these walls.
- Path lights – Without divider walls, you may have limited places that you can mount fixtures. Path lights are very mobile and versatile.
- Well lights – If hedges or trees surround the area, illuminating them is a good strategy. Not only will such lighting contribute to the ambiance, but light will also bounce into the area, providing some illumination.
- String lights – For a vintage or European look, consider hanging string lights around the area. These can be anchored to trees, nearby structures, or installed poles. They can also be wrapped around tree trunks or wound through shrubs.
If you have large trees, like live oaks, in the area, moonlighting can be particularly striking.
- Moonlighting – If you do have trees in the area, especially trees like live oaks, flood lights that shine down into the area can be mounted in tree branches. Do note that this does not work for palm trees.
- Cafe lights – While cafe lights may not provide as much illumination as string lights or more traditional fixtures, they are beautiful accent lights for a fire pit area.
If you are considering lighting for your fire pit area, contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay. We only use the highest quality fixtures, offer warranties, guarantee our work, and only employ the best designers and installers. As we do with any other outdoor lighting project, we will work closely with you to be sure that your vision for the area is realized. So don’t lose your drink, and stop toasting squashed marshmallows. Add outdoor lighting to your fire pit area today.
Robert van der Putten, Owner
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Clearwater & Tampa Bay
727-785-6000 or 813-237-0340