If you plan to spend a great deal of time relaxing on a home balcony, choosing the right light can be very important. When you are trying to decide on a balcony light, it can be helpful to consider the size of the structure and where it is located. That way, you can choose lighting that shows off balcony decorations without disturbing your neighbors. The ideal light should produce a warm glow rather than be extremely bright.
How you use your balcony can play a role in the type of lighting you choose. For example, if you use it for reading, you may want a small balcony light near your seating area. If your balcony design allows for entertaining, you may want a larger light in the center of the ceiling so your guests can see well enough to move around freely.
You may want to consider accent lighting to enhance your balcony decor if you have many large plants. This might be in the way of a few solar lights scattered throughout the arrangement, or track lighting along the floor. You might even want to consider a strand of Christmas lights over the top of a small bush or tree, as this can highlight the greenery without being extremely bright. It can be helpful to choose a balcony light that does not get too hot so you can minimize the risk of fire.
A ceiling fan can help you use your home balcony more often during the summer and fall. If this is a balcony feature you would like to add, one with a small light attached to it could be a good choice. Try to find one with three or four globes, and choose a model that requires around a 25-watt light bulb in each one. Doing so will help you be able to direct light into very dark corners of your balcony, so you can be aware of your surroundings even at night.
If you live in an apartment complex, you may not need to use a balcony light at all. This is because your building may already be equipped with security lighting that illumines your balcony at night. Even if this is not the case, management may have special rules regarding balcony decorations such as lighting. This could also be true if you live in a housing addition that has protective covenants. For this reason, it can be a good idea to find out if there are any restrictions on home balcony lighting so you will not have to remove these fixtures after you have installed them.