How We Lit the Backyard: A Summer Story About Light and Heat It was one of those long, hot July evenings. The kind where the air doesn’t cool, even after sunset. My wife had just finished putting the kids to bed, and I was outside, swatting bugs and staring at our backyard. It looked... flat. Dark in places, too bright in others. The old floodlight above the garage made everything look like a parking lot. It didn’t feel like summer. It felt like a work zone. And that’s when I realized, we’d spent all this time fixing up our patio, planting flowers, adding a bench—but we never thought about the lighting. Where the Light Was Wrong We had one bright bulb on the wall, and that was it. It lit up the whole yard, sure, but it didn’t feel good. The light was cold. Harsh. Bugs swarmed around it like crazy. And when we sat outside, it almost felt like we were under inspection. That’s when I started searching for something better. Not fancier. Just better. Softer, cooler, calmer. I wanted our backyard to feel like a place to relax—not a spotlighted driveway. So I spent a quiet evening reading and comparing options. One site I came back to a few times was 50bulbs. It didn’t push anything at me. It just listed what was available: light tubes, bulbs, portable lighting, lighting accessories, and all the stuff I didn’t know I needed yet. What We Changed We started small: 1. Swapped the floodlight for warm-toned LED bulbs These used less energy and gave off way less heat. The light felt soft, almost like a campfire. No more harsh blue glare. The bugs didn’t seem to love it either. Bonus. 2. Added solar light tubes along the walkway These were easy to install. No wiring. Just stick them in the ground and let the sun do the rest. By evening, they gave a gentle outline of the garden path. No more tripping over garden hoses. 3. Brought in portable lighting One of our favorites is a small, rechargeable lantern. We carry it from the table to the bench, or even out to the shed when we need it. It charges by USB, gives off a warm glow, and it’s so lightweight the kids can carry it without dropping it. You can find similar options by browsing throughhttps://50bulbs.com/ under Portable Lighting. 4. Hung LED string lights above the patio This was my wife’s idea. They’re simple light tubes, just warm white, draped from the fence to the tree. Suddenly, the space looked magical. Not fancy, just right. 5. Placed one small chandelier under the covered porch I wasn’t sure about this at first, but it worked. The chandelier wasn’t fancy, it just added shape and character. It made that space feel like an outdoor room. With lighting accessories like dimmers, we can adjust it depending on the mood. What We Learned: Simple Outdoor Lighting Tips for Hot Weather Tip 1: Go with LED lights In summer, heat is already your enemy. Old bulbs add more. LED bulbs stay cool and last longer. They’re perfect for Outdoor Lighting. Tip 2: Choose warm white, not cool white Cool white can feel too bright or even sterile. Warm white makes outdoor spaces feel softer and calmer great for summer evenings. Tip 3: Use layers of light Don’t rely on one single bulb to light everything. Add small lights where you need them—near stairs, around furniture, along paths. It looks better and feels better. Tip 4: Use solar or rechargeable lights where you can They’re easier to set up and save electricity. And in hot summers, less wiring means less hassle. Tip 5: Portable lights make everything easier You don’t always sit in the same spot. Neither should your light. Keep a lantern or small plug-in nearby to move as needed. Check the Bulbs & Tubes or Portable Lighting section at https://50bulbs.com/ for ideas.