In a previous post, we discussed the role landscape lighting can play in improving the atmospheric aesthetic—and safety! —of your outdoor space for fall. Continuing that train of thought, the next thing to discuss is trends. What’s the latest in lighting that will bring the rustic, cozy fall mood to your home while providing you with the lighting you need? And how can you get the most out of your outdoor space this fall? As always, we’ve got you covered with a variety of options.
When people think of chandeliers, they usually picture beautiful fixtures hanging over dining room tables or statement pieces in living rooms. A lot of homeowners are unaware that they can have the elegance and grandeur of a chandelier in their outdoor space as well. Outdoor chandeliers are made to endure damp conditions and greater fluctuations in temperature beneath a covered patio or gazebo. They are generally made of sturdier materials than indoor-only chandeliers and may have additional protections around glass shades to prevent breakage and keep the electric components in the lamping from getting wet. As always, pay attention to where you are hanging the fixture and make sure that it is not too close to other objects, especially those that are flammable. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of your home.
No matter what your personal style, there is an outdoor chandelier to match it. Our top picks for getting the perfect cozy autumn look for your covered patios utilize wood light fixtures (such as the featured Morelle) and warm tones, like bronze or dark brown. For larger outdoor dining spaces, we recommend the Inman Eight Light Outdoor Chandelier in English Bronze or the Eden Six Light Outdoor Chandelier in Weathervane from Savoy House. For more intimate backyard porch spaces, we suggest the Andover Four Light Outdoor Chandelier from Crystorama due to its rustic lantern look.
Fall doesn’t last forever, and you may not want to install a permanent fixture in your outdoor space to reflect the seasonal atmosphere. Fortunately, there are charming, portable, temporary (if you so desire) options in portable outdoor lanterns! These lanterns are the perfect functional accent for an outdoor patio furniture set. Portable outdoor lanterns are available in a variety of shapes and styles to suit your personal décor tastes. Many of these also double as Bluetooth speakers, making them the trifecta of outdoor lighting fixtures. All of our picks for portable lanterns have Bluetooth capability, but we wanted to cover some different styles.
For the rustic or farmhouse look, the Montego (featured to the right) is perfect with its weathered white finish and cross-pattern that brings to mind barn doors. Those who prefer a more nautical look may prefer the 49500BKTLED fixture, just bear in mind that this product is not actually marine rated and should not be left outside in marine environments! Lastly, I personally adore the Berryhill lantern. Something about the unique “strap” look reminds me of camping, one of my favorite fall activities. All of these lanterns are available from Kichler Lighting.
Moving back inside for this last trend, one of the styles that we’re excited by, and that has great design appeal for fall, is the organic chandelier. Golden leaves are an iconic fall look, but these fixtures are classy and beautiful year-round. The unique shapes and styles of these chandeliers adds texture (here referring to the visual arts definition as “perceived surface quality”) to any room. Delicate petals, leaf-shaped pieces, and other natural elements bring the outdoors inside and remind us of the fleeting beauty of each season. The Broche chandelier from Crystorama (right) is an excellent example of a leaf design in chandeliers and is available in both gold and silver depending on your color palette.
Another way to add texture with lighting fixtures is by using certain materials. If you prefer to bring natural materials into your home, you may instead prefer the wood bead chandelier from Poppy Lane shown off by our partner Amy (@therefinedfarmhouse) (left). As you can see through both of these examples, the organic chandelier can fit into a number of design styles, including modern and farmhouse. Beaded chandeliers provide a lot of interest to any room due to their unique shape and material. If the beaded look doesn’t mesh well with your desired style, a wood and metal light fixture can achieve the same result, adding the comfort of the natural world to any room! Some of our favorites are the Briarwood from Progress Lighting, the Gannet from Visual Comfort Studio, and the Chetill-Four from LNC Home.