Transform Your Deck into an Outdoor Living Area

Written by Adam Coholan, an active blogger out of New York who writes about remodeling and exterior design based on his experience working with Fire Island rental properties for Elliman Real Estate. You can follow him on Twitter @Coho22.

Most homeowners wish for more space in their home, but often the solution is right outside. Transforming your deck into an outdoor living area not only allows for more space, but brings you closer to nature and all the activities that outdoor life offers. Here are three tips to get your outdoor living experience started.

1. Light Up the Night
Darkness needn’t send the family indoors, not when there are so many options for deck lighting. Adding spot lights, wall lighting, and post lights can illuminate your deck and provide added security, too. Lighting options also include solar-powered LED models than can easily be attached to posts or walls. Adding some simple lighting is one of the easiest and cost efficient ways to dramatically increase the amount of time spent on your deck enjoying the fresh air.

2. Shelter and Shade
Sometimes a bright sun or a stiff breeze is the only thing keeping homeowners from expanding their living space onto the outdoor deck. Adding awning or a pergola can provide an attractive and affordable defense against hot summer sun. Awnings can reduce the outdoor temperature by as much as 20 percent, and pergolas offer another shade solution when covered with fast-growing vines or linens.

A lattice covered with climbing plants makes an attractive windbreak. Plants like cypress, boxwood, privet or hemlock that can be pruned into hedges for another green windbreak solution. A more solid alternative is adding a wall constructed from wood or masonry. This will not only offer wind protection, but can create wall space for amenities like an outdoor grill or a dry bar for entertaining.

3. From a Deck to a Room
Once a deck is lit and covered, the possibilities are endless. When fitted with cabinets, shelving and counters, a deck can become the perfect place to indulge in a favorite interest or hobby, and allow opportunities for features like outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and entertainment centers that can include flat-screen TVs and surround sound systems. Gardeners will enjoy a deck with a sheltered spot for nurturing delicate plants. Add counters for a wet bar and an under-cabinet refrigerator or wine cooler, include a few pieces of comfortable indoor/outdoor furniture, and your deck may soon become the favorite spot in your home!

Deck Lights for KC Can

Moonlight Decks donates lights to Kansas City Children's Assistance Network

For the third year Moonlight Decks has donated lighting for the KC CAN auction.
We raised $600

We used the Smooth Roman Bronze lighted post caps for this deck. The color of the caps matched the color of the house and deck.
It was a great off setting color for the white railings.

If you'd like to illuminate your deck check out www.MoonlightDecks.com !

Deck Lighting in Leawood, KS

Deck Lighting in Leawood, KS.

This new deck in Leawood, Ks was built by All Weather Decks. Moonlight Decks added the lighted post caps to give a nice finish to the posts that also lets the home owners use the deck at night too.

The weathered wood Evergrain composite deck with black deckorators spindles has a great look that will last the homeowner for many years. We used a gloss black finish on the lighted post caps to match the spindles.

The new deck with the spectacular deck lights, along with a new stamped concrete patio forms a very relaxing environment to this Leawood backyard.

Find out how you can relax and enjoy your summer nights too at www.MoonlightDecks.com

Overland Park, Ks. Fence Post Lighting

Fence Post Lighting in Overland Park, KS.

Moonlight Decks installed these copper vein color fence lights around the patio and privacy fence for one of our customers in Overland Park, KS. The lights around the patio feature double glass to allow more light.
It started out as a small landscape lighting job, but when the customer saw what she could do with the lighting effects of our post caps / deck lights for her backyard she loved the idea.

The lighted post caps on the fence really add a nice ambiance to the patio sitting area and give a sense of security for the back yard at night.


Here are a few more pictures and some decent night shots too.

If you would like your back yard to become a nice summer evening retreat, visit www.MoonlightDecks.com to see the many different styles of lights we have for your deck.

Moonlight Decks post caps are made in the USA!

Keep it local!

Deck lighting in the Winter

Deck Lighting is great in the winter too!
Gotta protect those posts from the harsh elements.

I've had these deck lights on my posts since 2004. They have withstood all kinds of harsh Kansas weather! That's because they are built right, by someone who cares about quality and giving you the most bang for your buck.

If you want a good quality deck light that is Made in America, go check out www.MoonlightDecks.com and talk with Steve Hodes Jr about what you need.

Keep it Made in America!

Custom Deck Lighting

Custom Deck Lighting in Overland Park, KS.


This deck in Overland Park, Kansas had the cheap caps from a big box store before we got to the scene. The customer wanted something very similar because they were able to paint the wood base of the old caps and really liked the copper look. Once I showed them that I could combine our Sunburst color post cap with a white base AND have it light up at night, they were ecstatic.

Even on this post next to the house, we had the cap chopped to fit so that all of their posts would be covered and protected from the weather.

Our lighted post caps are made from sand cast aluminum at foundries right here in the USA! They won't weather like the old wood bases that were rotting and cracking there before.

If you want to illuminate your deck, give us a call or visit our website. www.MoonlightDecks.com

Keeping it made in America. Support your local businesses.

Deck Lighting in Overland Park on a cold winter's day.

The smooth roman bronze deck lights / low voltage lighted post caps we used on this newly installed deck in Overland Park, Ks are the perfect accent piece that really "caps off" the deck.

We used 2 extra pieces of glass which allows more light out. The customer uses their new deck for a lot of entertaining and really wanted that extra light, but without attracting more bugs.

The custom made deck lights (Made right here in Kansas City!) are a very nice contrast to the white deck railing.

If you are looking to do more entertaining on your deck at night, call Steve at Moonlight Decks. He will have the perfect solution for you.

Deck Lighting in Kansas City

Deck lighting in Kansas City is getting more popular. Our customer here was sitting in the dark before finding us. Their posts were also showing signs of weathering. Our low voltage lighted post caps were the perfect answer.









Our deck lights typically use low voltage 18 watt Xenon bulbs. But we can also use solar power, or LEDs, or regular line voltage to light them.

Now they have a great place to enjoy the evening without attracting bugs. They also have a little added safety because the lights help to illuminate the stairs out to the yard.

Come find out more about deck lighting at www.MoonlightDecks.com

Check out our spot at thumbtack.com

Check out our service and new pictures on thumbtack.com.
Deck Lighting

Custom Deck Lights and Lighted Post Caps

Moonlight Decks is getting even more creative with their totally unique deck lights and lighted post caps.

Check out the Glass Post Caps featured on their website.

And take a look at the LED lit sculptures that you can use as lighted post caps or install anywhere else you want on your deck.

Steve Hodes Jr has some really great ideas and can work with any budget. Give him a call!