Patio Chandeliers

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Recently we took a long road trip and visited with friends at their new home. Because I am a patio nut, I, of course, noticed the lighting accessories they used and was enchanted to find a patio chandelier on their back porch. My friends being on a budget, had picked up an old dining room chandelier and painted it white for a total cost of $20 for some really fabulous mood lighting. Because the back porch had a roof, they didn’t need to worry about whether or not the electric cord could withstand the elements.

If you aren’t handy or if your patio lacks a roof to shelter patio lighting, don’t worry, there are ready made weather proof patio chandeliers available at a variety of price points. Patio Chandeliers may be electric or rely in candle power, which one you choose depends on what ambiance you’re trying to create and whether or not you expect the chandelier to provide functional lighting.

For those who don’t know, the two major kinds of patio and deck lighting are functional and mood lighting. Functional patio lights line walkways, highlight steps, and spotlight working areas such as the grill to prevent accidents and provide light to work by. Mood lighting follows decorative themes and is selected based on design and color.

Depending on how you use them, patio chandeliers may provide either function or mood lighting, but you need to know what you are going for prior to purchasing one.

Patio chandeliers that use candles provide a Fairy Tale glow to any evening, but candles can also be a pain. The wind can snuff candles out in the blink of an eye and candles are an extra expense, but if you pay attention to the design of the patio chandelier you can minimize the downside.   Avoid chandeliers that use naked candles (I’m not even sure these are sold) and look for candle holders that are deep enough to protect the flame from wind.  Candle holders should also be held snugly in place, if they detach be sure they aren’t loose and easily upset as that leads to wax spills and broken glass.

At $30, a patio umbrella chandelier (pictured to the left) that uses candles is ideal because it shelters flame from the wind.  Imagine how pretty this would look with some fresh flowers woven around the rod iron. If the patio is used during daylight hours or if it happens to be too windy for candles, the votive holders could also be used as vases for a single rose or gerber daisy. This is a great example of an inexpensive, yet uniquely elegant way to dress up a patio or deck with outdoor lighting.

Electric patio chandeliers are a bit pricier, but the designs are so gorgeous, they are worth the investment. I scoured the internet trying to find the best price and there is no best price. Outdoor chandeliers are expensive. The only way to pinch pennies is perhaps to keep an eye on Ebay auctions, but even there the chandeliers are pricey.

If you are on a tight budget, do what my friends did and refurbish an old dining room chandelier and just bring it inside when not in use to protect it from the elements. However, if you do have some money to spend, I have found some great patio chandliers to choose from.

Check out this darling pagoda style patio chandelier. Add in some bamboo furniture along with a few bamboo plants and you have a zen garden guests will love to chill out in.

Then there’s this Moroccan inspired chandelier that will allow you to create your own Arabian Nights patio or deck.

What about this lovely Victorian style patio chandelier?  This is just so divinely romantic and would be an exquisite decorative accent for a patio or deck that is surrounded by a lush, colorful garden. This chandelier is also the most affordable outdoor chandelier option, costing less than $300.

And there you have it, several chandelier options to choose from. Let me know if you use one on your patio!  I’d love to see a picture.

Tags: candles, deck lighting, outdoor lighting, patio chandeliers, patio umbrella chandelieres
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