Lighting the Terrace Table

During the summer, wherever we are—at home, at the beach, or at our summer house—we’re always entertaining outdoors. Sometimes it’s a few friends; other nights, it’s a long table full of family. Either way, the best evenings are the ones that continue long after dinner, when no one is quite ready to leave.

But as the sun goes down, the table that looked beautiful at seven can be difficult to see by nine. Dinner may still be on the table and conversation still going strong, but the natural light has disappeared. On our tables, we like to add a small amount of warm light directly where people are sitting. Here is what we have learned:

Bring the Light Down to the Table

Indoors, we prefer lamps to overhead lighting because the light is softer, more flattering, and closer to where it is needed. The same principle works outside. Porch lights, wall fixtures, and string lights may illuminate the surrounding space, but they leave the table itself relatively dark.

Small cordless lamps placed directly on the table bring the light down to eye level, casting a warm glow over faces, food, flowers, and place settings while allowing the rest of the terrace to remain softly lit.

Think in Pools of Light

For a longer table, use several smaller sources of light rather than relying on one brighter lamp. Ideally, every guest should have light close by.

Mixing cordless lamps in different heights and sizes makes it easy to spread the illumination evenly along the table while creating a more layered, interesting setting. The goal is not perfect uniformity, but a series of soft pools of light that make the entire table feel connected.

Embrace the Poldina

Our favorite solution for the terrace table is Poldina Pro by Zafferano. Cordless, rechargeable, and easy to move wherever it is needed, this well-proportioned table lamp takes up very little space and provides warm, dimmable light for up to 12 hours on a full charge.

The Poldina Pro Collection features table lamps in three sizes and a wide range of colors and finishes.

Make the Lamps Part of the Setting

Although they are purely decorative, Poldina shades are an easy way to make the lamps part of the tablescape rather than simply a source of light.

When choosing a shade, look for connections to the rest of the setting. A Fermoie shade in Green Wicker might pick up a stripe in the tablecloth or the color of a nearby pillow. Seagrass can echo woven placemats, wicker furniture, or other natural materials. Patterned shades can introduce another layer of color without requiring everything on the table to match.

Poldina shades provide the finishing detail that help pull everything else together.

Let the Table Glow

As daylight fades, let the table become the brightest point on the terrace. Faces should be softly lit, the colors and details of the table still visible, and the landscape beyond allowed to recede naturally into the evening. That balance creates a warm, intimate atmosphere that makes everyone inclined to linger just a little longer.

For more ways to bring interior design principles outdoors, explore Fermoie for the Outdoor Room. And for a closer look at why Fermoie colors and patterns work so well together, read Why We Love Fermoie.