When evenings draw in faster: smart lighting for your Spanish terrace made simple

September in southern Spain is a month of small contrasts. By day it still feels as if summer will never end, but in the evenings you suddenly notice how much earlier it gets dark. The terrace where you didn’t need a candle until after ten in July is already in shadow by half past eight.

I’ve always been a fan of old, characterful fincas, with thick walls, wooden shutters and an olive tree that’s been around longer than my whole family. At the same time, I can’t deny a certain fascination with smart technology. It’s a curious mix: living in a house that sometimes still smells of the 19th century, yet controlling the lights through an app as if I were in a science fiction film.

And then comes the question: how do you extend your outdoor living without turning your garden into a floodlit showroom? Read on for everything you need to know about smart lighting for your Spanish terrace!

Light without the runway effect

Some people think the answer is metres of bright LED string lights, as if their terrace were guiding a Boeing safely in to land. Great for a festival, but on a Spanish patio it feels more like a light assault. Smart lighting isn’t about more, it’s about better. A few well-placed points are enough: a lantern by the table, a couple of soft spots among the plants, maybe a discreet lamp by the door. Enough to find your glass of wine, not enough to keep the neighbours awake.

Technology in moderation

Domótica may sound fancy, but in the end it’s all about comfort. Smart plugs that let you switch lamps on and off with your phone, sensors that react to movement, or a timer that takes care of things automatically — all useful, as long as it doesn’t turn into a physics degree just to spend an evening outside. My own favourite? Solar-powered lights that charge themselves and switch on at dusk. No cables, no hassle, and they keep glowing faithfully as long as the sun does its job.

Mosquito management

There’s one detail people often forget: light attracts mosquitoes. And in September, when the evenings turn a little more humid, they’re still out in full force. The trick lies in the colour and placement of your lighting. Warm white attracts fewer insects than harsh blue-white. Don’t place lamps right next to your chair or table, but a few metres away. That way, the mosquitoes will mostly hang out over there. For extra peace of mind, I always keep a stash of citronella candles handy. Not perfect, but better than my neighbour’s alternative — slathering himself every evening as if starring in a mosquito-repellent commercial.

Atmosphere over showroom

Smart lighting on your Spanish terrace doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It’s all about balance: enough light to stretch the evening, not so much that your garden looks like it’s on display at a DIY store. A few lanterns, a sensor here and there, and above all the discipline not to switch everything on at once. Your terrace should stay a place to live, not to showcase.