It’s almost that time of year again: time for dressing down in your favorite pair of shorts, calling up your closest family and friends, and of course throwing a few slabs onto the sizzling grill. That’s right—it’s time for a barbecue! But before you begin making those phone calls and inquiring about who’s bringing which side, consider swanking up your backyard barbecue with a few lights. These decorative lighting options can help to create a fun ambiance and are also helpful if your barbecue bash lasts into the evening. Note that in deciding on lighting for your barbecue you should be certain that your lights are also outdoor rated.

String Lights

Who doesn't love Christmas in July? Add spunk to your backyard barbeque by using stringed Christmas lights in numerous places across your backyard.  For example, try using tree wrap lights to enhance the trunks of your trees or shrubs. Another option for stringed lights is simple-to-use net lights. Wires can easily be concealed in bushes and other shrubbery allowing the sparkle of your lights to be the main focus. Or if your barbecue is being held in a fenced area, consider using patio lights. Patio lights are typically larger than traditional Christmas lights and provide more lighting. Stringed patio lights can be draped from your house to the fence in your backyard, or from tree to tree. The draping effect provides additional light for your guests to consume their meal all while setting the mood for a relaxing summer barbecue.

Yellow Bug Light Bulbs

Nothing gets in the way of a good barbecue more than pesky insects. No one wants their guests to deal with the itchy agony of mosquitos and bothersome flies. Equipped with a unique yellow coating that limits flying insects, yellow bug lights are the solution to your fears. Unlike paraclipse fly traps, these lights do not kill bugs, though they will deter certain flying insects. Because insects view light differently you will still have some critters flying around, but the good news is there won’t be as many. Some of these incandescent yellow lights can last upward of 2500hours—plenty  of time to keep the bugs at bay.

Lanterns

Lanterns can be used year round and they are an especially good choice for outdoor barbecues. Because of their flexibility and mobility they are easy to use in a variety of locations and applications. Lanterns can be hung on the branches of trees, placed along your backyard path as path lights and even used as centerpieces for your outdoor tables.  You can use traditional lanterns to achieve these effects, or you could consider using lanterns with a flameless candle or LED lanterns. One major advantage to flameless and LED lanterns is they can be used repeatedly. Since they are battery operated, you don’t have to worry about wax melting everywhere.  Flameless candles are also an ideal choice if there are children attending your barbeque as they reduce the risk of fire related injuries.

Colored Light Bulbs

This evening is all about summer fun and celebration. What better way to add an extra decorative touch to your backyard barbecue than by screwing in a few colored light bulbs? As we have learned in previous posts, colored lighting has a variety of uses in outside lighting fixtures.  The best places to use these lights during your backyard grub fest are in patio light fixtures, swimming pools and landscaping bullets.  Decorating with colored lights can give your barbeque a backdrop of hued illumination throughout the evening.

Now that you have a few lighting ideas for your next barbecue bash the only thing left to decide is what you’re going to cook and who’s in charge of bringing the potato salad. Have any tips that you would like to add on bringing the light to your next barbecue? You know the drill, write a comment below or send over some of your ideas through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Instagram!