Every deck needs beautiful, functional lighting. And even though it may be tempting to use string lights or fairy lights for ambiance in your outdoor living area, they can’t hold up to the power of high-quality, permanent light fixtures on your deck. Post lights are a fantastic option for anyone looking to bring more light to their deck and the areas around it. 

You can take advantage of two different types of deck post lighting in your planning: deck post cap lighting and lighting affixed to a deck post. Each of these types of lighting can be installed on its own or they can be combined for maximum lighting effect. What follows are just a few of our favorite lighting options for your deck posts. 

All About Deck Post Cap Lights

Post cap lights are one of the best ways to light your deck and the space around it. Post caps typically shine light in a downward direction for a soft, warm glow in the vicinity of each post. They can also be stylish fixtures in their own right. In fact, post caps don’t have to be lighted at all. But, they are a great opportunity for some brilliant deck lighting: why not go for both appearance and function with lighted post caps?

Elegant, Modern Post Caps

Post caps are the difference between a deck that looks unfinished and one that appears modern, stylish, and elegant. If you want to achieve this look, search for post caps with light fixtures that shine a warm light downward and light up the area on and around your deck. For a cohesive deck design, look for post caps that match the color and overall aesthetic of your deck as well.

DEKOR®’s Savona Post Cap Lights are a new, modern approach to deck lights. They are our newest offering, with a pyramid style and a top flat cap detail, held by architectural corner columns. This particular shape gives each post some polish, especially since you can customize the color of your post cap to match your deck’s finish, as well as the lighting configuration. Check out the Savona 2.5″ Post Cap Light or the Savona 2″ Post Cap Light, depending on which size best fits your deck. 

Post Caps with Multiple Configurations 

There may be situations where you want matching post caps for all of your deck posts, but you need different lighting configurations depending on where the posts are located. For example, you may want lights that shine in 3 or 4 directions for a corner post, but in only 1 or 2 directions for a standard post. Or, you may want some post caps with lights and some without. This is why post caps with customizable lighting configurations are a popular option for those looking to spruce up their home lighting scheme.

DEKOR® offers several classic post caps with multiple configurations, including our Pyramid Post Caps and our Flat Post Caps, both of which come with 5 different lighting options, as well as the ability to purchase the post cap without a light. 

More Lighting Per Post

Most post caps have lights installed on 1 or more sides of the cap, below the wider, architectural top, so that the light generally shines down. This is often the most convenient light angle for an outdoor space, especially if you’re lighting a post near steps. But, sometimes it is useful and visually appealing to install a post cap with a top light as well as the downward-facing lighting, like DEKOR®‘s Flat Post Cap with a top light. The top light adds a soft glow to each post cap and will brighten your deck railing and posts beyond the capabilities of a traditional post cap.

Go Solar: Solar Post Caps

Everyone wants to go solar these days, and post caps are an easy way to integrate small solar panels and lights into your deck design. Post caps often have a flat top design, which makes them an ideal fixture for small solar panels. Solar deck lighting powers itself, but still usually comes with traditional charging methods and transformers, just in case. Solar lighting lowers your electricity bill and is a greener way of lighting your home. DEKOR®’s Savvy Solar Post Caps are a great introduction to solar lighting, each built with premium batteries, Cree® LED lights, and our signature weather-resistant style.

Make the Most of Your Deck Posts

Post caps are not the only way to light your deck. Of course, you have deck stair lighting, rail lights, and much more. But let’s talk now about how to bring your deck posts to life with beautiful lighting that looks great during the day and casts a perfect shine on your deck at night.

Accent Lights for Everyday Elegance

Accent lights are a great way to bring your own unique style to your deck post lights. Accent lights are often small, powerful, versatile fixtures available in a variety of shapes and styles. Plus, they can be installed the way you like: individually, in a geometric pattern, or in combination with other types of lights. Check out DEKOR®’s Diamond Post Medallion Accent Lights or our Bar Post Medallion Accent Lights for inspiration.

Decorative Post Lamps

Sometimes, a light alone is not enough; you also need a lamp or lantern to add some visual interest to your deck posts during the day. Post lamps are a great option, especially for the posts at the base of deck stairs or at the edge of your deck. DEKOR® offers post lamps in a number of different styles, including the Holly Post Light and the Teardrop Post Light. These lamps can be installed all along your deck posts or just in certain places for a strategic, varied design.

Subtle Post Lighting

Most of the post lighting we’ve talked about so far has been decorative and functional. But what if you need lights that blend into their surroundings, but still provide a powerful shine at night? Keep an eye out for small post lamps that can be embedded directly in deck posts. DEKOR®’s Outdoor Petite Post Lamps are particularly versatile. Not only are they easy to install, but they also have a full 360-degree rotation and convenient 35-degree light angle.

Keep in mind installation when you’re planning your deck lighting. Deck posts may be made out of a wide variety of materials (wood, composites, concrete, brick, etc.), so you’ll want to make sure to purchase lights that can be installed where you need them to be. Luckily, DEKOR® has designed lights that are perfect for easy-to-install DIY applications, and many of our deck post lights are bracket mounted, so they can be installed on a variety of surfaces. We hope your deck lighting scheme comes together with some inspiration from these deck post lighting ideas.

For more deck lighting ideas, check out our list of the 15 best deck lighting ideas, with plenty of options to customize your deck lighting plan, from the railing to the stairs to the features around your deck.