The 5 Best Lighting Options For Off-Grid Cabins

Living off the grid can be a great experience, but only for those making the right decisions. As with all housing options, living in an off-grid cabin comes with its own challenges, one of which is providing an alternative lighting source when there is no access to electricity.

I’ve been building my own off-grid log cabin for over a year, and it’s been quite an absorbing endeavor. I think you’ll agree with me that installing the lighting is one of the most fulfilling parts of the whole process. Few things could rival the glow and rustic ambience of a beautifully-lit cabin, so I’ve taken my time to choose only the best options.

Having researched and analyzed various alternatives to electrical lighting, I’d recommend the following as the best lighting options for off-grid cabins:

1. Solar Powered Lanterns

   Solar lights are a great choice if you want a cheap, environmentally friendly light source. I’d opt for self-contained solar-powered lanterns as they are an economical option. Each light has its own in-built solar charger and battery. You could just buy as many lanterns as you need to achieve your desired lighting.

   The disadvantage of solar lanterns is that they have small batteries, which may not last long. A simple remedy to this is to buy extra lanterns, so you could just replace lanterns when their battery power runs out.

2. LED Lights

   You should go for LED lights if you’re a fan of brighter rooms and longer-lasting lights. With LED light sources, you could go for solar or battery-powered options. In this case, I’d also opt for self-contained solar-powered LED lights simply because they’re more efficient. With the self-contained options, there’s no need to change batteries or manually charge them.

   Battery-powered LED lights are popular and would have probably been one of your first options. They are quite powerful and last a really long time as well; up to 50,000 hours in some cases. With this light source, there are cheap and expensive options. The more expensive ones shine brighter and last longer.

   I’d recommend solar-powered LED lights—solar string lights specifically—for both indoor and outdoor use. There are dazzling solar string lights that can provide your environment with the ambience of an electrical light fixture, although these are more expensive. Headlamps are also a great LED light source, especially for outdoor use. While lamps with disposable batteries are not as powerful as rechargeable headlamps, they still last quite long.

3. Kerosene Lamps

   Using kerosene lamps to light up your off-grid cabin has its advantages and disadvantages. While these light sources provide an aesthetic, rustic ambience, they come with some risks. Because you will be working with fuel and flames, you will have to take extra precautions for your safety. You will also have to be considerate of the carbon dioxide that kerosene emits.

   To safely use your kerosene lamps and minimize the risk of toxic harm, choose a safe fuel that is approved for indoor usage. Be careful when refueling to avoid any spillage. Also, if you’re living in your cabin with children and pets, keep the lamps in places that won’t be accessible to them.

4. Candles

   Candles are perfect for a romantic dinner, but they are also very useful as backups in case all other lighting options fail. This pre-industrial light source requires no use of fuel or gas and is one of the simplest options to use and maintain. You just have to be careful about usage since you’re dealing with more direct exposure to flames.

   When burning your candles, make sure your cabin is well-ventilated, and also avoid placing them next to vents, windows, or locations with strong air currents. Failing to do so might lead to uneven burning, excessive dripping of wax, or the candles simply dying off. For safe, continued usage, never leave a lit candle unattended, and avoid burning one next to anything that could catch fire.

5. Propane Lights

   Propane lights are not the simplest or most convenient option, but they provide a nice aesthetic and could be very efficient in the long term. The most unsavory part of using them for most people is having to run the lines that deliver the propane.

   Propane lanterns are also more expensive than other gas-powered options. This light source makes up for its flaws by being more environmentally friendly and powerful; there are propane lanterns that deliver up to 1500 lumens of light.

I’ve worked with several homeowners and businesses as a lighting professional for over two decades. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that lighting is an often-overlooked element in home design. It’s one of the most integral factors for living in an off-grid cabin and shouldn’t be approached nonchalantly. With the lighting sources I’ve listed above, you should be able to choose an option that’s practical, efficient, and visually pleasing.