Outdoor Candles and Firepit Ideas for Summer Nights

A real summer night in Tahoe deserves real light. Soft candles. A warm fire pit. String lights on the trees. A slow cold drink. A wool throw across the lap. The whole set up makes a simple back yard feel like magic. This is a small guide to outdoor candles, fire pits, and soft summer light, from a team at CA89 Home that lives out side all summer.

Why is outdoor lighting so important?

Three reasons. First, mountain nights get dark fast. Once the sun drops, the whole yard goes black. Real light turns a dark yard into a real living room. Second, soft light feels better than bright light. Bright flood lights kill the vibe. Soft warm light draws folks in. Third, real candle and fire light look great in photos. Summer night photos with a warm glow feel like real art.

A real summer night with good light is worth the small spend.

What is the best outdoor candle for a mountain home?

A real soy or beeswax candle in a safe holder. Skip the cheap paraffin candles (they burn fast and smoke). Skip the citronella (it smells weird). Pick real wax with real scents.

A few scent picks for a mountain night: - Pine - Cedar - Fir - Lavender - Warm vanilla - Smoked wood - Campfire

Pick one that fits the vibe. A pine candle on a porch in a pine forest is pure magic.

What candle holder works best out side?

A wood or stone holder. Skip the fragile glass (it can crack in cold nights). A few real picks:

A wood candle holder carved from real local wood

A stone bowl with a big pillar candle

A real brass lantern with a glass window

A hurricane lantern for wind protection

A small iron votive holder

Pick one that holds up to wind and weather. Bring it in side on rainy nights.

Are citronella candles worth it?

Mixed answer. They do help with bugs a bit. But the smell is strong and many folks find it over powering. A better move: real beeswax candles plus a real bug spray. You get the soft light without the heavy smell.

If the bugs are bad, try a lavender candle. It smells better and still keeps some bugs away.

What about string lights?

String lights are the easiest way to light a back yard. Cheap. Easy. Beautiful. A few tips:

Pick warm white bulbs (skip cool white)

Pick real bulbs (not the tiny plastic ones)

Hang them in zig zag over a seating area

Use real hooks or strong wire

Pick solar or battery for easy install

Pick plug in for always on

A single strand of soft white bulbs over a patio changes the whole vibe. Real magic.

Do I need a fire pit?

Not required. But it is one of the best moves for a Tahoe back yard. A fire pit becomes the heart of a summer night. Folks gather around it. Stories come out. Drinks get refilled. The whole night slows down.

A few fire pit picks: - A real wood burning fire pit with a grate - A propane fire pit for dry years and fire bans - A small copper bowl style for date nights - A built in stone pit for a real home project

Always check local fire rules before you light a fire. In dry years, only gas or propane pits are allowed. The US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin lists current burn rules.

What wood works best in a fire pit?

Dry hard wood. Oak. Almond. Apple. Hickory. Skip wet wood (it smokes a lot and burns slow). Skip soft pine (it pops and throws sparks). Skip painted or treated wood (toxic when burned).

A few tips: - Store wood in a dry covered spot - Bring wood in side the day of the fire to warm up - Start with small kindling then build up - Use real fire starters (skip the lighter fluid) - Keep a bucket of water or a hose near by - Never leave a fire pit with out putting it out

A well kept wood pile keeps your fire pit ready all summer.

What about a gas fire pit?

A gas fire pit is the easy move for a Tahoe summer. No wood to store. No ash to clean. No smoke in your eyes. Turn on. Light. Enjoy.

A few picks: - A propane tank fire pit for real flame - A natural gas fire pit if you have a line - A small tabletop gas fire bowl for patios

Gas fire pits also work in dry years when wood fires are banned. Worth the spend if you live in a high fire risk area.

What about lanterns?

Real lanterns are a classic out door move. A few picks:

A brass lantern with a real glass shade

An iron lantern with a candle inside

A solar lantern with a warm bulb

A vintage hurricane lantern

A small mason jar lantern

Hang one from a porch beam. Place one on a side table. Place one on a step. They glow soft and pretty on a summer night.

What is the best way to light a dining table out side?

Real candles plus a small lantern. A few rules:

Use short candles (they do not block the view across the table)

Use an even number (two or four looks best)

Add a small lantern as a center piece

Skip over head bright light

Let the table glow from the candles alone

A real dinner under candle light on a summer night is pure joy.

What CA89 Home pieces work with candles and fire pits?

A few picks from CA89 Home:

A real wood candle holder

A set of warm scent candles

A wool throw for cold moments around the fire

A ceramic mug for a warm drink by the fire

A linen napkin set for the dinner table

A small hurricane lantern

Each piece is picked with care. We test them in our own yards first.

What drinks pair with a summer fire?

A few picks.

A hot tea in a real mug (yes, even in summer the mountains get cold)

A cold beer

A glass of red wine

A warm cider

A real hot cocoa for kids

A simple bourbon with ice

Pick what fits your mood. Hot drinks make the fire feel cozier. Cold drinks balance the heat.

What about sounds for a fire night?

A few real sounds make a fire night perfect.

A small speaker with soft acoustic music

A real play list of slow folk songs

An acoustic guitar if you can play

Nature sounds (the real ones, not an app)

A slow conversation with a real friend

Skip loud music. Skip TV. The fire and the sky are the main event.

What about a fire pit for kids?

Kids love a fire pit. A few rules:

Always supervise

Keep kids a few feet back

Bring real marshmallows and sticks

Teach them real fire safety

End the night before they get too tired

Have water close by

S’mores are the kid fire classic. Bring graham crackers, marshmallows, and real chocolate. Let each kid build their own. Real magic.

What about a fire pit for dogs?

Dogs love a fire too. A few rules:

Keep the dog leashed or close

Watch for sparks

Bring a real dog bed or mat

Keep water close by

Watch for the dog trying to eat ash or sticks

A sleepy dog by a warm fire is one of the best sights of summer.

What about candle safety?

Real rules.

Never leave a candle burning with out some one watching

Keep candles away from curtains and wood walls

Use real holders (skip the tiny tealights on wood)

Blow out candles before bed

Keep matches and lighters away from kids

Candles are beautiful. They are also fire. Treat them with respect.

What is a simple summer night set up?

Want a real summer night in your own back yard? Here is the plan.

6 p.m. Clean up the yard

6:30 p.m. Set up the chairs around the fire pit

7 p.m. Light a real candle on a small side table

7:30 p.m. Start the fire

8 p.m. Pour cold drinks

8:30 p.m. Sit, talk, watch the stars come out

9:30 p.m. Add one more log to the fire

10 p.m. Put the fire out

10:30 p.m. Head to bed

That is a real Tahoe summer night. Worth every min.

Tie it all back

For more on outdoor living and summer home style, the team at Sunset Magazine covers a lot of west coast stories. The team at Tahoe Quarterly shows real local yards and homes too.

If you want to start with a few fresh pieces, browse CA89 Home for a curated set. Or swing by the California 89 store in Truckee and pick in person.

A small note from us

We love a real summer night around the fire. Candles on the table. A warm pit. A cold drink in hand. A friend next to us. The stars above. That is the whole magic of a Tahoe summer.

So set up the yard. Light the candles. Stack the wood. Invite a friend. Slow way down. Summer nights go fast. Make each one count.

See you by the fire.