The three-day weekend that officially kicks off the summer season, Memorial Day is also a solemn day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Originally celebrated on May 30, it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May, with the passing of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, so that families can spend more time together. In most parts of the country, this means outdoor entertaining and bar-b-ques featuring good food and the company of family and friends.

As Memorial Day fast approaches – and all the outdoor entertaining it entails – now is an excellent time to refresh your outdoor lighting. Great lighting can take outdoor spaces from day to night, creating the perfect atmosphere for sipping a drink – whether it be iced tea or a glass of Pinot – and sharing a delicious bar-b-que meal. To make your outdoor space look its best, check out these exterior outdoor lighting ideas to illuminate your Memorial Day. From exterior pendant lights to wall mounts and more, summer entertaining never looked so bright.

Things to Consider When Adding or Refreshing Your Outdoor Lighting

The right lighting can help maximize the beauty of an outdoor space. Assess the features and determine which ones to emphasize. The pool area, spa, steps, and pathways all need to be illuminated to ensure the safety of family and friends enjoying the outdoors. Next, consider how the outdoor lighting fixtures highlight any specimen plants, architectural features, and outdoor rooms.

Decide what you want the lighting to do and how it will illuminate the area. Do you want to create dramatic shadows, uplighting to create a mood, or downlighting for task areas such as the grill. You may need all three, so the purpose or function of the lighting will dictate what type of fixture to choose.

Welcome Your Guests with a Warm Glow

The golden hour generally refers to the period just before sunset when the natural light is redder, warmer, and much softer as dusk comes peeking over the horizon. Above, a pair of magnificent wall lanterns cast a warm glow over the entryway. Unfussy planters filled with succulents enhance the home’s architectural style.

Charlestown 16 Inch Tall 2 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft

With historic charm practically in the name, the Charlestown 16 Inch Tall 2 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft brings a vintage feel to any home’s exterior. It offers the perfect balance of past, future, and fanciful imagination. Delivering brilliance and whimsy, these wall lights highlight the home’s architectural elements.

Artcraft Wexford 13 Inch Tall LED Outdoor Wall Light

Inspired by a modern candle lantern in Italy, Artcraft Wexford 13 Inch Tall LED Outdoor Wall Light offers a contemporary refresh of old-world style. It casts a gentle, soothing glow that welcomes guests with charming appeal.

Illuminate Outdoor Dining Spaces

Outdoor dining is one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This means the perfect space with lighting to enhance outdoor entertaining all summer long. A dimly lit pergola doesn’t have to spoil the outdoor fun once the sun goes down. Wall lights can help keep the party going.

Sussex Drive 19 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft

A pair of lantern sconces such as the Sussex Drive 19 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft are ideal for illuminating nighttime feasts. This wall-mounted LED light adds a gentle, contemporary feel to any outdoor space, allows family and friends to enjoy it day or night.

Create an Outdoor Room for Entertaining

Extend the indoor vibe to outdoor spaces with damp-rated lighting that could fit just as well in a kitchen or dining room. Exterior pendant light fixtures and chandeliers are growing in popularity, with more casual versions such as hanging lanterns ideal for outdoor entertaining.

Freemont 10 Inch Tall 4 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Artcraft

The simple lines of the Freemont 10 Inch Tall 4 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Artcraft add unexpected character to this outdoor room. It casts a warm glow over family and friends as they relax in a living room setting that lets them picture-perfect outdoor moments.

Light the Entire Outdoor Space

Outdoor lighting doesn’t stop at the front door or the edge of the porch or patio. To truly enjoy the outdoor space, lighting should extend beyond these areas. That doesn’t mean the area needs to look like a runway, but it should have just enough lighting to ensure the safety of guests while entertaining and family as they relax in the space.

Overbrook 20 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft

Shedding light on the outdoor area around it, the clean lines of the Overbrook 20 Inch Tall 1 Light LED Outdoor Wall Light by Artcraft brings simple style into the space. The transitional style and black matte finish go with traditional, modern, and contemporary homes and is ideal for outdoor spaces. Depending on where it is placed, it can illuminate work zones as well as entertainment areas.

For more than 66 years, Artcraft has been creating beautiful lighting for all areas of the home. From the perfect exterior pendant light fixture to wall-mounted and post lights, their design first focus has created innovative lighting that enhances the spaces where life is lived.

At Capitol Lighting, we offer a wide range of Artcraft designs. Visit us online or come into one of our showrooms and speak with a lighting specialist today.