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There’s nothing that quite says summer than indulging in the longer nights the season has to offer, which is why opting for the right garden lighting ideas plays a huge role in helping you make the most of your outdoor space.
Not only can a beautifully curated lighting display aid in building up a cosy garden idea but is also key in adding ambience to your patio ideas to set the mood for those intimate outdoor get-togethers. However, beyond looking beautiful, some of the best garden lighting ideas will also offer extra security to your garden during the spring and summer months.
While there are a handful of garden lighting mistakes you ought to avoid, so long as you take the experts’ advice for illuminating your outdoor space, we guarantee you’ll be inspired to use your garden all year round, even well after summer has passed.
Garden lighting ideas
Similarly to lighting your living room, in most cases, you’ll want to balance practical lighting – which provides illumination to necessary areas – and decorative lighting. But obviously, you will want to select lighting specifically designed for use outdoors to ensure it remains durable enough to withstand many different weather conditions. Only once you’ve got that covered should you then move on to considering beautiful garden lighting ideas for your outdoor space.
‘When it comes to outdoor lighting ideas such as patio lighting, you want to create a layered lighting scheme with different sources at various heights just as you would in your interiors, to help ensure there is good lighting and you can change the mood and feel of the space,’ advises Reilly Gray, founder of garden furniture brand SUNS Lifestyle.
‘By planning your garden lighting ideas and ensuring you have multiple sources, you will be able to create ambience whilst ensuring there’s ample lighting for however you’re using the space.’
So, here are some of the best ways to use lighting in your outdoor space.
1. Think about durability
Permanent garden lighting ideas need to be able to withstand whatever challenges the weather can throw at them.
‘Carefully consider the placement of your lighting as this will determine the design as well as the IP rating you will require,’ explains Jo Plant, head of design at lighting brand Pooky.
‘To simply explain IP ratings: use IP44 damp-rated fixtures, for sheltered spaces – such as under pergolas – while for the more exposed areas where there could be direct or indirect contact with rain, you will need IP65 wet-rated fixtures.’
‘Apart from functionality, also opt for materials that are not only eye-catching but robust. Brass and chrome always age well outside and on a bright day, they beautifully catch the sun.’
2. Go smart with your garden lighting
Chances are you already use smart lighting inside your home, so why not consider using it in your garden as well? Like with internal smart lighting, you can control your outdoor smart lights from your smartphone.
‘Smart garden lights can be scheduled to turn on and off at set times or adjust throughout the evening,’ explains Kate Baker, lighting advisor at 4Lite. ‘As well as daily schedules, you can control garden smart lights directly from your smartphone or voice-activated devices such as Alexa and Google Home.’
‘That means if you’re busy barbecuing or entertaining, you can switch the lights on without leaving the garden or if you’ve gone to bed and have forgotten to turn the lights off, there’s no need to get up. Just press the off button on your app or tell Alexa to switch the garden lights off,’ adds Kate. Combine this with a clever list of the best Alexa voice commands and you’ve got yourself the smartest garden lighting idea out there.
For those looking to brighten up their pergola ideas, ‘lights can be perfectly weaved through the gaps to create an artificial starry sky right overhead as you enjoy an evening with family and friends,’ explains Andrea Tellatin, CEO of Twinkly.
Twinkly’s smart Festoon lights, at Amazon can be customised and controlled from an accompanying app, which even lets you change the patterns and colours of each LED at the tap of a button. Alternatively, you can hang the lights from trees, bushes and plants to truly enhance and illuminate some of your favourite areas.
3. Illuminate steps and paths for safety
Steps are one of the most dangerous parts of a garden’s landscape – especially after dark. Thankfully, there are lots of garden lighting ideas you can try out to illuminate steps. Strip lighting can be installed under each riser which lights up the step below.
Alternatively, hooded spots as seen in the above space designed by Light House Designs, can be inlaid into the walls of the steps. These should be hooded and directed to point downwards to prevent them from dazzling.
4. Install a fire pit to create a cosy ambience
One lighting idea that you may not have considered until now is installing a fire pit. We’ve even rounded up some of the best fire pits we’ve tested to better assist you in the decision.
‘Not only are fire pits a great light source for your garden, they’re also warm and create an inviting atmosphere for your garden,’ outlines Tiger’s garden building expert, Sam Jenkinson.
Whether you only have a small outdoor space with limited space to play with or a much larger, sprawling garden, fire pit ideas come in a variety of different sizes and designs to meet your needs.
Similar to the safety precautions you should take when using a patio heater on decking, make sure to keep the fire pit a good amount of distance away from any plants or flowers, overhanging trees or fences and install it on a flat natural surface such as concrete, gravel, stone, slate or brick or on a fire-resistant composite.
5. Incorporate architectural lights into your borders
Your garden is a carefully curated space and therefore must look beautiful during the day as well as at night. By day, these Stone Globe Lights are disguised as solid stone spheres that bring texture and structure to your garden border ideas.
However, by night they are illuminated, creating striking orbs that provide a beautiful focal point. Available in low and medium voltage as well as solar powered to suit all types of gardens.
These globe lamps will add gorgeous natural texture to your garden, are energy-efficient, and durable.
6. Add height to your garden by illuminating trees
During the day, trees provide architectural structure in the garden, however, your garden’s definition may get lost once the sun sets. To add height to your garden at night and make a small garden look bigger, simply entwine the trunks and larger branches with solar-powered outdoor string lighting ideas to add depth to the space and create an atmospheric glow.
These warm white solar fairy lights, at Lights4Fun also have a rechargeable USB battery which enables you to enjoy the twinkly lights even on days with less sunlight.
7. Use mirrors to maximise your garden illumination
We all know the mirror’s power to reflect light around a dark room and make a space look bigger. Little did you know, this also applies to the garden. During the day garden mirror ideas will encourage light into dark spots and create the illusion of portals to spaces beyond.
However, with some strategically positioned festoon lights, a mirror can also increase the power of nighttime illumination, throwing light back into the space.
These mains-powered indoor/outdoor Gold Lustre LED Festoon Lights, at Ella James are themselves reflective and will instantly transform a dark corner into a pretty and bright spot.
8. Dress a table with portable lighting
Portable garden lighting ideas are a great way to add layers to alfresco dining areas. In fact, outdoor wireless lamps have undoubtedly been one of the biggest lighting trends to take centre stage this year both indoors and out.
An elegant portable lantern will allow you to enjoy the beauty of candlelight while protecting the delicate flame from the wind. Alternatively, pair it with an LED candle for an authentic look that will last well into the night.
Create an atmospheric glow with this portable lantern. The solar panel at the top soaks up the sun during the day and radiates a warm white flicker as the evening draws in.
9. Layer lighting around a garden table
Festoon lights are an essential part of garden lighting ideas – whether draped over pergolas, between trees, or used to dress a patio they provide both ambient and practical lighting.
For the perfect outdoor dining experience, pair festoon lights with solar-powered candles and lanterns on the table, and surround with floor lamps to create a laidback ambience.
10. Don’t underestimate wall lights
Outdoor wall lighting is a great starting point for garden lighting ideas. Not only will they provide a layer of security, but they’ll add an extra layer of style.
‘Outdoor lighting can also be highly effective at creating something from nothing. A wall that you might not think twice about during the day can become a dramatic feature at night with clever lighting,’ explains Piero de Marchis, director of Detail Lighting.
‘By aiming a wide beam of light from below or above, a wall can be washed with light and bring its warm tones to life. Alternatively, positioning the beam closer to the wall can catch and accentuate the natural texture of the wall itself using light and shadow.’
‘However, if you have a modern home with a “perfect” finish, any slight imperfections and undulations would be exposed by positioning the light close to the wall. So consider the position of your exterior lighting carefully – possibly even experiment at night using a wide-beamed torch to see how light affects the surface.’
11. Line your driveway with lights
An easy way to elevate the look of your home is by lining your driveway with lights – even more so if you’ve got a clean driveway you want to show off.
Using solar lights in this instance will not only save you money on your energy bill but the lights will automatically come on when it starts to get dark. Not only does this make your driveway look much more aesthetically pleasing but it also guides you and guests to your front door when it does get particularly dark.
Just remember, if the position of your driveway doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you may have to opt for wired lights instead, since solar lights rely on the sun to shine once it gets dark. Whether you select staked lights or bollards, both add interest to otherwise plain driveways.
This pedestal light is the perfect lighting solution for illuminating a dark driveway, providing waypoints and a sleek, contemporary finish.
12. Illuminate a small space
Thoughtful lighting is important when working with small garden ideas. In a cosy courtyard or petite patio, add subtle and small spotlights to add interest without cluttering up the space. Raised high, you won’t be losing any square footage for dining or planting.
Choosing a style and tone that blends in also means they won’t act as a visual distraction when not in use.
13. Add atmosphere to al fresco dining
Mix and match garden lighting ideas to add depth and atmosphere to dining spaces. Start by using wall lights to zone the space and add hurricane lamps, lanterns and candles to finish the look to perfection.
‘Entertaining outdoors has become increasingly popular and with that, more attention is being paid to the ambience of our external living spaces such as patios, dining and cooking areas,’ says Piero from Detail Lighting.
‘Lighting in outdoor entertaining areas should be subtle and intimate lighting that relaxes guests and encourages conversation. Consider soft indirect lighting and use surfaces to absorb and diffuse light.’
‘Strategically situated dimmable LED linear lighting and inground lighting can create a feeling of floating whilst thoughtful pendant lights and ceiling lighting can illuminate faces and table settings.’
14. Highlight thoughtful planting
When adding garden lighting ideas to your scheme, start by studying your garden throughout the day and into the evening. If you’ve got some beautiful flower bed ideas that you’re particularly proud of, that could be a good place to start.
‘It’s important to study how light falls on your outdoor spaces and understand what it looks like as daylight fades,’ advises Piero from Detail Lighting. ‘Then you can decide what needs garden lighting ideas and how. Also, you may have trees or shrubs that would add drama with carefully placed lighting.’
15. Take it to the trees
To really make a statement, use artificial illuminated trees to light your pathways. Alternatively, you could wrap around fairy lights. Since these will be at and above the eye line, take the time to choose the tight warmth of light.
‘For external lighting, it can be too hard on the eyes which is why we always recommend using warm white LED lighting for outdoor spaces – something with a colour temperature in the region of 2700K -3000K,’ advises Piero from Detail Lighting. ‘This bathes the area in a wonderful golden light that feels cosy and comforting.’
16. Be inspired by your interiors
Take your interior style into your garden lighting ideas for true indoor-outdoor living.
‘Gone are the days when the choices for garden lighting were limited to plain, uninteresting white security type lighting; today’s modern designs are just as stylish and varied as those you would find inside the home,’ notes Marketa Rypacek, managing director at Industville Ltd.
‘We have seen an emerging shift to take the industrial, rustic, and stylish look from inside the home, out into garden spaces. Add atmospheric lighting such as stylish metallic walls and pendant lights, to set the ultimate ambience for your friends and family to enjoy.’
17. Hang solar powered bulbs
Effective garden lighting ideas don’t always have to shout about their presence but can also come in the form of understated (yet fundamental) garden solar lighting ideas.
Light bulbs strung from trees and shrubs are nearly unnoticeable during the day, but add a pretty glow come evening. Better yet, because you’ve gone solar, you can hang them up en masse and not worry about charging.
Add a fun finishing touch to your garden this summer with these bubble-effect solar fairy lights that will add a contemporary feel to your garden gatherings.
18. Add interest to a trellis
Combine your garden trellis ideas with your lighting for a two-in-one win. Empty tin cans, painted and will holes punched through become the perfect setting for candles to sit, casting pretty shadows when lit and looking pretty during the day.
Consider sticking to battery-powered tealights, at Amazon to stop any dry wood or foliage from catching a spark.
19. Add a touch of fun by clustering orb lights
We mentioned orb lights being used to create a focal point in a garden border. But you can create even more visual interest and add a fun touch by clustering this style of light.
‘Orbs, with their curved organic shape, add a softness to any space which has long been popular among designers,’ outlines Marlena Kaminska, designer at ValueLights. ‘Inspired by the trend of bringing the indoors out, this style has been particularly popular this year due to its versatility. Lightweight and battery powered, these lights look great in the comfort of your home but are also perfect for bringing a soft glow to your outdoor soirees.’
‘To elevate the sophistication of your garden, use multiple orb lights as a pair or three together to create a visually interesting sculptural element,’ concludes Marelna. You can also add a luxe look by opting for a soft off-white or glowing hue. Or go bolder and have more fun by switching up the colours.
Consider these Shapelights solar-powered colour-changing spheres, at Amazon which are energy-efficient, offer a variety of colours to cycle through and come in different sizes to browse through.
20. Get flexible with a rechargeable lamp
Make your outdoor lighting ideas flexible so you can illuminate where and when you need to. As we mentioned earlier when we touched on portable lanterns, the latest garden trend is undeniably rechargeable lamps. ‘They are ideal for taking outdoors when the occasion calls,’ says Jo from Pooky.
‘A little piece of lighting that will bring a warm twinkle to your patio and pergola areas once restrained by lack of power outlets or cord lengths. They can be taken anywhere, particularly helpful as evenings draw in or to your garden to bring the party outside.’
Create more atmosphere in your garden with this stylish outdoor lamp. Made of plastic with steel boasting an on-trend bronze colour, its modern style is ideal for sprucing up a garden.
21. Create a simple centrepiece
Fill terracotta pots with sand and push in some dinner candles, to make a simple centrepiece to place on your table outside. Odd numbers of candles feel visually balanced, so use three standard-size candles or try seven or nine skinny tapers.
Use citronella candles to deter pesky mosquitoes and midges from nibbling on your guests when hosting garden parties and place them all around the patio to create a cosy glow while eating.
22. Opt for a mini lamp post
An elegant option for outdoor lighting ideas is to choose a lamp post-style design. Ideal for both front garden ideas and back, many designs rely on solar power to light them, so won’t need to be attached to the mains to light up your garden.
Lamp post lights work wonderfully in symmetry so opt for one on either side of a patio or one on either side of a front gate.
23. Light up your balcony
A balcony may be small, but it’s perfectly formed and would still benefit hugely from some garden lighting ideas.
‘When lighting your balcony, outdoor wall lights are a must, usually on either side of the entryway leading out onto the balcony for a symmetrical and balanced appearance,’ advises Julian Page, head of design at BHS.
Alternatively, if you are trying to flesh out a rented garden idea, Julian suggests going for garden lighting solutions that don’t require wiring. ‘Opt for solar-powered lighting, or perhaps a rechargeable outdoor table lamp or lantern, ensuring that it is waterproof for resistance against outdoor weather conditions.’
24. Mix and match styles
Don’t feel like you have to choose just one style of lighting for your garden, opt for several at different levels to create an ambient glow. A string of mini paper lanterns will look lovely strung along a garden fence above seating, while lanterns of different shapes and sizes work perfectly doted around the floor.
Festoon lights will work well draped over and around trees and branches, or could even by gathered into a pool and sat in a shallow pot.
25. Dress a pergola to set the scene
Use the timber frame of a garden pergola as a canvas to perfectly place a string of outdoor lights.
This sturdy wooden structure is ideal to provide a framework for hanging lights with ease. It’s the perfect place as it will commonly be placed above a social area of the garden that benefits most from illumination after dark.
26. Use uplighters to highlight zones
Clever lighting is the key ingredient for bringing wow-factor to your garden at night. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles, using uplighters to enhance planting, walls and hanging pendants in covered areas to create cosiness.
The use of uplighters draws the eye up, creating depth to a garden landscape. This can help to clearly define each zone of your garden layout ideas, from a vegetable plot to a dining spot.
27. Wall mount lighting
Use the exterior walls to put in place permanent lights on a patio area. Specialist lighting enables you to use the space all year round, whatever the weather. Choosing stylish wall lighting also helps to add a decorative touch, making the outdoor space feel like an extension of the indoor at the flick of a switch.
Fixed lighting on the patio is also helpful for security and checking on the backyard, making it well-lit.
28. Line the decking with spotlights
Sink spotlights into a decking area to highlight the edging and cast a warm glow to ensure all levels and steps are clear to make out when walking around the space.
Choose low light emitting bulbs for your deck lighting ideas to ensure they don’t shine too bright, so not to shine directly into the eyes.
29. Mix and match lanterns
Decorative metal lanterns are going from strength to strength as the must-have modern room accessory. From living rooms with a Scandi feel to the centrepiece on an industrial-chic dining table, these adaptable place-anywhere mood setters are at home in any scheme. Remember their origins as the earliest way of lighting up Victorian streets and herald them as the perfect indoor/outdoor accessory.
The sheer joy of these contemporary beauties comes from the colour choices and shapes – there is one to suit every garden and every design personality.
This metal lantern is a distinctive piece to add visual interest to any outdoor space. Its classic curved shape is formed by hand-wrapped wire for a contemporary aesthetic. Complete it with a candle of choice for evening al-fresco dining.
30. Stake out a path of solar light
Solar-powered stake lights are one of the most affordable and effortless means of lighting for a garden. You simply peg the stake into the lawn, along a garden path or in flower bed borders to secure the design in place.
Better yet, they are moveable and therefore allow a layout to be changed, or even take them with you should you move.
This charming light is full of modern style with a simple design. Perfect for making those long summer evenings last a little longer, this stake light is a great addition to your garden.
31. Utilise low level lighting
Ensure your garden, roof terrace or courtyard is a safe space to navigate after dark by placing low level lights. Place lighting a short distance off the ground, directly on the surrounding walls or garden borders to shine a light at ground level.
Avoid making the bulbs too bright, you don’t want this to be the main lighting – merely there for creating awareness and ambience.
32. Hang fairy lights for a magical touch
Add some sparkle to your home, inside and out, with a set of unique fairy light designs. Fairy light ideas bring a magical quality to any garden: this simple strip of fairy lights interwoven inside a parasol are the perfect touch for an ambient social spot.
A little light goes a long way at night. Use lighting selectively and remember that darkness can be used to conceal areas.
33. Connect zones with festoon lighting
While the trend for creating garden zones is hugely popular for dedicating area to a garden layout, you can use lighting to unify the spaces from above.
Hang lengths of fashionable festoon lights to create a seamless flow of lighting throughout the different areas.
34. Make pretty DIY paper lanterns
Nothing makes a bigger garden lighting impact than the repetition of lights on a darkened path – for both striking simplicity and after-dark safety. With a garden party in mind, these steps are smartly lit with decorative paper bags, which can be bought with a pretty punched design. Or, you can even create it yourself with a hole-punch and a few minutes of your time as an easy DIY project.
Try our simple homemade lanterns for your next garden party, made with a paper bag weighted down with gravel, a hole punch and an LED tealight. Placed on either side of your garden steps, they’ll light your guests’ way and look totally charming.
35. Go for colour-coordinating lanterns
If you are fortunate enough to have a garden in full bloom, light up your flora and fauna with lanterns. Especially now, with LED battery-powered candles at their most efficient and cost-effective, you can avoid any risks involved with real candles while still providing a striking glow.
The gentle pinks and red of these silk and paper lanterns are just perfect for enhancing the natural palette of the rhododendrons. We don’t know about you, but this looks just beautiful.
FAQs
How do you illuminate a garden?
‘Approach your garden lighting ideas in the same way you would your interior lighting scheme,’ advises Marketa from Industville Ltd. ‘To accomplish a well-thought-out, welcoming space, you need to embrace the complete range of lighting sources available and vary the lighting sources to create little pockets and pools of illumination.’
‘Work out which elements of your outdoor space you wish to highlight, both for practical and aesthetic reasons. Layer your exterior lighting and use multiple sources of light, including small lights to guide walkways, up-lighting for highlighting beautiful plants and trees, low lighting for ambience and wall lights and pendants in areas for eating and socialising.’
‘It is also important to ensure the lights are independently controlled, as well as installing dimmer switches for each light source, if possible, to allow for a wide variety of moods to be created throughout the evening.’
How can I light my garden without electricity?
Whether it’s the eco-friendly aspect, the freedom that comes from being wireless or the sleek, industrial look, a solar-powered light is the simplest option for hassle-free garden lighting ideas.
‘To save energy and money, solar-powered lights are highly efficient and can light up your garden without using any electricity,’ agrees Paul Collins, dead of technical services at NICEIC. ‘Solar lanterns can also be a good choice, providing a portable warm glow that can be positioned wherever you need it around the garden.’
‘Fairy lights are also a popular choice, with their smaller LED lamps (bulbs) needing only a small amount of sunlight, enabling them to work even following the gloomiest of days. Emitting an ambient but dim glow, they have the benefit of less environmental impact and light pollution yet serve as a pretty backdrop for seasonal get-togethers.’
As solar technology advances, so do the choices for creating a number of looks in your outdoor space – from putting them deep within the foliage for an internal glow to lining them up loud and proud along a path.
What type of lighting is best for outdoors?
The best type of garden lighting ideas are those that are outdoor specific, weather-proof and will create an ambient glow.
‘When choosing light fittings for your garden, consider LED and compact fluorescents, which produce light more efficiently, last longer and create zero toxic elements,’ advises Michael Meiser, lighting expert at Lumilum. ‘Opt for warm-white light bulbs of around 2700K in colour temperature. These aren’t too harsh but create enough light to illuminate outdoor areas when it gets dark.’
‘Also, consider the brightness – 50 lumens is plenty for low background lighting, 100-200 lumens to light up a path and up to 700 lumens is enough for a small patio. And rather than going for brighter if you have a bigger space, look to distribute light instead.’
Where should garden lights be placed?
Just as important as the styles of garden lighting ideas themselves are the positioning. This will usually depend on the layout of your garden and what you are hoping to illuminate.
‘Think about the direction of each light to ensure you are highlighting areas of your garden that you wish to draw attention to,’ advises Marketa from Industville Ltd. ‘Exterior lighting can accentuate the architecture, colours and textures of your property for an outdoor living space to be proud of.’
‘Make sure you experiment with different positions before you decide on the final placement. You can use a large torch at varying angles to see where it is likely to provide light. For glow without glare, opt for downward facing wall-mounted lights that create a relaxing atmosphere to be enjoyed by all.’
How can I light my garden cheaply?
For easy and affordable garden lighting ideas, look to solar-powered lighting, wireless lamps, festoon lamps and the prettiest of lanterns.
‘As an easy quick-fix, lanterns and candles are your go-to,’ adds Jo Plant from Pooky. ‘They have such a warming and welcoming effect and can easily transform a tired, unused outdoor area. The more candles the merrier, scattered in every corner, across your dining table, as a runner.’
Following all of these expert-led tips, we’re certain you’re probably stocked up with some of the best and beautiful garden lighting ideas to last you a long time. So long as you keep these lighting solutions in mind, you’ll curate an outdoor space that you’ll enjoy all year round, irrespective of the season.
