The Illawarra climate is made for outdoor living. Long summer evenings, mild winters and sea breezes mean decks, patios and alfresco areas get plenty of use. Getting the electrical side right turns a nice space into one you use every night.

Start with how you will use it

Think about what happens in the space:

Dining and barbecues.
Lounging and watching the game.
Kids playing or doing homework at the outdoor table.
Entertaining on summer nights.
Quiet morning coffee.

Each use calls for different lighting and power. Planning around them avoids the common problem of a dark corner where you actually sit.

Power points

Plan weatherproof power points for:

The barbecue or outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor fridge or bar fridge.
A TV or outdoor speakers.
Patio heaters.
Phone chargers.
Christmas lights and party lighting.

Outdoor outlets need weatherproof covers and must be protected by safety switches. Position them away from where water pools and out of direct rain where possible. Our power point installation page covers outdoor outlets.

Lighting in layers

General lighting

Downlights or a central fitting under a roofed alfresco provide useful light for cooking and dining. Dimmers let you soften it later in the evening.

Ambient lighting

Wall lights, LED strips under benches or steps, and festoon-style lighting create atmosphere without glare.

Task lighting

Good light over the barbecue matters. Cooking in the dark is no fun.

Garden and path lighting

Lighting the garden beyond the deck extends the view and makes paths and steps safe. Our outdoor and security lighting page covers garden lighting.

Ceiling fans

A ceiling fan under a covered alfresco makes summer evenings more comfortable and helps keep insects away. Choose a fan rated for outdoor use, especially near the coast, where salt air is hard on metal parts. Our ceiling fan installs page has more.

Heating for cooler months

Electric radiant heaters mounted on the ceiling or wall extend the season into autumn and winter. They need suitable circuits and positioning away from flammable materials.

Smart control

Smart lighting and app control let you set scenes for dining or entertaining, switch garden lights on a schedule and turn things off from your phone. Kalani can set this up so it works simply.

Coastal conditions

Near the beach in Gerroa, Barrack Point and Thirroul, salt air corrodes cheap fittings quickly. Choose well-sealed fittings with good IP ratings and marine-grade or quality finishes. Regular checks and cleaning help them last.

Planning with your builder

If you are building a new deck or alfresco, the electrical work fits into the build. Cabling goes in before linings are fixed to the ceiling, and outdoor power is trenched before paving. Kalani works with builders as overflow support, so he is used to fitting into a construction timeline.

Upgrading an existing space

If your existing deck has a single old light and an outlet that trips in the rain, an upgrade can transform it. Replacing tired fittings with LED lighting, adding weatherproof outlets and installing a fan are all simple jobs that make a big difference.

It is also a good moment to check the existing outdoor wiring. Old fittings that have let water in over the years can leave corroded terminals and cracked insulation behind them, and a light that flickers in wet weather is usually telling you something.

Get started

Kalani designs and installs outdoor power and lighting across Shellharbour, Wollongong and Kiama. Customers have told us he did garden lights alongside power for their new pool.

Planning an outdoor area? Call or text 0424 400 346. Photos of the space, day and night, help him understand what will work.

Outdoor entertaining area power and lighting