The right lighting scheme is a vital part of any garden design, especially as the nights start to stretch out. Check out these clever ways to light your outside space all year round; from illuminated landscaped lawns to classic candlelit suppers, who says alfresco living has to stop at sunset? Click or scroll on for the brightest garden lighting ideas...
A simple but effective way to enjoy the evening is to simply invest in a string of festoon lights and hang them low above a terrace table. The vintage shape instantly adds a happy glow that simply says 'party time'! Both battery-powered, solar and plug-in options are available, but you'll tend to get a brighter glow with plug-in options.
Perfect for renters' gardens or holiday home terraces, this portable lantern is battery powered and easily transported. The funky sphere design with green handle and frame makes it an ideal addition to alfresco parties or cosy nights out snuggling up with a hot chocolate.
Add wow-factor to your garden pathways with solar-powered metal spherical garden lights. Stake them in the ground to light the way and provide a stunning lighting display. Being solar-powered, they will automatically light up when it gets dark.
If you are looking for garden lighting with a contemporary twist these outdoor plug-in charger lanterns with teak bases and powder-coated aluminium frames will look the part. Cube-shaped with curved edging you can control the amount of light released with remote controlled LED bulbs.
Why limit yourself to just one style of garden lighting? For a relaxed, cosy feel, layer up your illumination to add depth and ambience to your outside space. Here, fairy lights and strings of Edison bulbs sit alongside candles and lanterns to create the ultimate inviting backyard retreat when the sun goes down. Plus, mix up your lighting with battery, solar and plug-in options.
Faux battery-powered pillar candles look fantastic when clustered together, especially in large numbers. Not only will a grouping like this produce a rich illumination, there's no need to worry about dripping wax or fabrics catching alight.
Simple low, shaded table lamps are perfect for evening entertaining. When dining alfresco, you want enough illumination to be able to see what you're eating and drinking and to socialise comfortably, but not feel like you're underneath a floodlight. A set of contemporary battery-powered lights like this, with some others, dotted nearby, are all you need.
This pretty solar light is designed to look like a large dandelion flower with 120 warm white LED lights that illuminate it. It will look charming dotted in groups in amongst long grasses or nestled in between shady shrubs.
These vintage-style teardrop tealight holders are made from recycled iron with a matt black outer finish. Simply pop in your favourite scented tealights and use the attached hooks to hang them from a branch They are ideal to bring a soft glow in amongst the trees as the burnished metallic silver inner will reflect and sparkle in the flickering light.
Create an illuminated focal point in your garden by decorating steps with an eclectic display of lanterns. Choose various lanterns and votives in different shapes, sizes and materials to reflect light or cast pretty shadows. Then, break up the display with structural cacti and succulents to finish the stylish and exotic vibe.
Give shady shrubs and bedding plants a quirky lift with a pretty string of solar-powered LED outdoor toadstool lights. Mounted on the (almost invisible) wire, the fungi will look as if they are growing amongst the leafy foliage in cheery colour.
Create a beautiful area in your garden perfect for alfresco dining. Use poles to zone and form a garden room that you can decorate with string lights. Plug in warm LED lights and hang solar lanterns overhead from trees to layer the perfect illumination and inviting atmosphere.
Not only do wall lights add the finishing touch to the outside of your home, but they also serve a practical purpose by adding a required level of security. You'll need an electrician as most are powered by mains electricity, with a switch on the inside of the house, and you can also find some with a motion sensor that will illuminate when triggered.
Festoons have become a clear garden lighting classic. Their retro form and industrial-style fittings are effortlessly chic and so easy to install; these mains operated options instantly transform an outdoor space.
Choose lanterns of a similar style with chrome detailing and in alternating sizes to create an impressive outdoor setting. Pop them on the decking, patio or arrange them down some steps to create a stylish display. You can use real candles as the flames will be protected by the glass or use battery-operated ones so there's absolutely no fire risk.
Follow an outdoor theme by finding lighting that matches your garden furniture. These grey storm lanterns are made from natural materials and match the string garden bistro set, perfectly. Decorative by day the solar power turns them on to cast coastal-style shadows at night.
Sometimes the simplest designs are the most striking when it comes to outdoor illumination. This sleek wall light puts an industrial-style filament bulb centre stage, while clean lines and a minimalist black surround make the design effortlessly contemporary and the perfect addition to a modern outside space.
A ceiling of twinkling lights can transform an outdoor patio into an alfresco fairytale wonderland. These plug-in, soft yellow lights are cosy and cocooning in the outdoor space; much more appealing than blue LEDs.
Ideal for houses near the water or homeowners with an affinity for the ocean, nautical wall lights are the perfect way to evoke coastal charm in your backyard. Modelled on a ship's bulkhead, this mains operated wall light is unobtrusive, yet its iconic design is sure to make a statement in everything from sprawling gardens to cosy courtyards.
An easy garden craft idea, entwined in natural hessian rope twinkling fairy lights will create a captivating and organic garden lighting option. The solar lit rope will look just as good in daylight as it does at night in country or coastal gardens. It's ideal to wrap around trees or to fence off areas. Or, for a simple display hang around driftwood and mount on a wall. Power is supplied via an external solar module with integrated rechargeable battery and ground spike.
Keep your garden tiki bar illuminated into the night by lining your lawn with Polynesian-style bamboo stake lights. These are safe solar versions with a daylight sensor so will automatically light up the party as darkness falls.
Impress your guests at evening garden parties with a trio of firepit-style lanterns arranged at different heights. A graphite base and glass surround look contemporary while its traditional flame is enchanting. These lighthouse-style versions can hold up to 11 hours' worth of bioethanol fuel to entrance guests until dawn.
Make your garden pond or pool look magical with a floating sphere. Mains powered and managed by remote control the glorious glow ball will change hues or run through a succession of colours to mesmerise and set the mood. If one is not enough numerous balls sailing slowly around your water feature will make a striking statement.
Make alfresco dining a refined affair by hanging outdoor pendant lighting over the table as you would in the dining room. Whether you choose LED-lit bulbs or go for a traditional flame the focal point will create an atmospheric and ambient glow that is 'dinner party' desirable. Hang the pendants from a terrace ceiling or put up a gazebo and use the sturdy frame to suspend the lights.
Give alfresco dining a touch of class with a cordless lamp that would not look out of place in a top hotel. The oversized statement piece will look grand as a centrepiece and cast an ambient glow over dinner. Combine with real candles sheltered in votives for that perfect indoor-outdoor balance.
If you're proud of your plants and have spent hours over the summer working in your garden weeding your flowerbeds and borders, why not give them a second chance to shine over the colder months? Run a solar-powered rope light along the edge to define the shape and pick out your favourite plants with spotlights. It looks even more effective with a curved border.
Festoon lights have been a popular garden lighting option for a while so why not update the look with a modern twist? These solar-powered wire cage lights are a hot trend indoors and make an edgy industrial statement in the garden too.
We couldn't resist including this awesome illuminated water feature in our round-up, to add a little bit of magic to your garden. With water streaming out of the 'floating' tap, it's a water feature and a source of ambient LED light in one!
Placed next to pathways Moroccan-style lanterns can add exotic character to your garden. These solar-powered lights create a magical firefly effect for a warming glow within that will cast enchanting shadows on garden floors that will dance in the night as the lights flicker.
Light up steps with these easy paper bag lanterns. Weigh the bags down with shingle or rice and be sure to use only LED battery-operated tealights inside. You can even have fun with a hole punch to pierce patterns in the paper that cast shadows on the path.
Add a whimsical touch to your evening garden with magical twinkling trees. Choose yellow battery-operated fairy lights that a glow warm tone and wrap them around the trunks of trees to create an ambient effect that's inviting and idyllic.
Install a touch of Victorian charm into your courtyard with a traditional lamppost. But don't worry you won't need to wait for the lamplighter at night as this one as it has up-to-date technology using solar LED superior energy efficiency. Anchor the base with a surround of pretty pots filled with classic plants to enhance the period feature.
Pop up a multipurpose portable dome in your garden that can be used as a conservatory, gazebo, play area or even as a hot tub cover. Light it up with hanging fairy lights for a beautiful glow that gives you a space to spend the evenings all year round, whatever the weather.
It's that time of year where autumn colours and motifs start appearing everywhere, so why not embrace the change of season with these sweet mushroom lights. Each soft squidgy mushroom has an LED light in the tip to spread a magical glow the kids will love. Cluster them together for a woodland feature or spread them out in a line to give your garden path a sprinkle of fairy dust.
Even if you don't have any way to tie your fairy lights on to a fence, you can still create a lovely path of ambient light with these rather charming shepherd's hooks. They come with a double-pronged base for added stability and can be spray painted a colour to suit your scheme.
Illuminate flowerbeds inconspicuously with garden lighting that blends into its surroundings. Rock lights are designed to disguise themselves as, you've guessed it, ornamental rocks and are usually solar-powered so don't even have any giveaway wires attached.
LED strip lighting can be cut and customised to fit almost anywhere in the garden. The light chips are attached directly onto a printed circuit board which can then be stuck onto step treads or decking to create a linear light up walkway or border.
Go for something surprising and hang an elegant chandelier outdoors. Not something you'd expect to see in the garden, this will be a talking point for visiting friends and family. Simply hang one up on the underside of a gazebo roof, or summer house, add solar or battery-operated lighting and bring in sofas to create a cosy entertaining space.
Simply pop tealights inside hanging glass orbs and string up under a garden archway for a beautiful and angelic display. Dot them around the garden by hanging them from tree branches, sturdy bushes, ornaments or garden buildings. How pretty would these look dangling from a gazebo that you can all sit underneath. Delightful!
Pay homage to a design icon with a statement alfresco lighting piece that will certainly turn heads. This giant outdoor anglepoise lamp takes an LED bulb and has all the benefits of the original arm lamp but the giant version will take centre stage when outstretched to light your outdoor space. And, once you've finished enjoying the evening, the wall-mounted task lamp is super space-saving when tucked back against a wall.
Make the terrace feel as cosy as the living room with an overhanging outdoor pendant light that echoes an indoor feature. Contemporary and luxurious the sheer size of this piece is nothing but striking and stylish. Made from steel and aluminium this lamp and controlled by remote, this will withstand the winter as it has a built-in patio heater that heats a five-metre radius too.
Spend a romantic evening dining outside on a table that itself is a light. There's no need for candles or lanterns, giving you more space for your dinner plates and wine glasses! Omitting a gentle white glow, directed downwards towards the floor, this LED bistro set will illuminate your garden whatever the weather.
Make a style statement with furniture that itself lights up. Stools, side tables, benches and cubes, are perfect for your outdoor space. Made from tough, moulded plastic, they're suitable for all weathers and can be wiped clean. Easy to recharge at the main, each has an LED light inside with 16 pre-set colours, making every garden party bright and fun.
Place stylish oil lanterns around the garden and on the patio table for a gentle flickering glow. In the design of an old-fashioned Edison bulb, hanging inside a glass cylinder, you can use a lamp like this indoors or out, with the recommended natural-based lamp oil.
This dynamic scheme by MyLandscapes uses crisp strips of light to separate the hard surfaces from turf in this fantastic small urban garden. To get a professional look, call in the professionals and think about mixing task lighting with ambient glowing areas and spotlights; even the curved bench is underlit to add depth and drama.
A great garden upcycling idea; entertain well into the night with a string of bunting with solar-powered twinkle lights. Easy to hang up and decorate indoors and out, a garland like this is sure to add atmosphere to any occasion. A dusk-sensor turns the lights on at nightfall so you can entertain well into the evening.
Who says outdoor lights have to be plain white? Inject some fun into the garden with a string of multicoloured festoon bulbs. This set looks fabulous hung from tree to tree. You can even use them indoors, too. The bulbs are plastic but look just like glass; they're so realistic!
Channel peace and zen into the garden with a sculpture like this Buddha light-up water fountain. Three warm LED lights create an ambient glow as the water gently bubbles in the bowl on his lap. Water features bring so much tranquillity to an outdoor space and are extra special when they light up like this. The best thing? There are so many different ones to choose from.
Created for the Chelsea Flower Show, this contemporary lighting scheme is a lesson in well-planned illumination. Varying styles and temperatures of light help zone this sprawling modern garden, from the warm, inviting LED strips running below the bench-style seating to the pale white uplights outlining the movie projection screen and the soft, twinkling stake lights dotted around the trees.
Add a splash of Eastern promise to your outdoor space or conservatory by hanging up some paper lanterns. With warm LED lights they radiate a gentle glow that will last for several hours without you having to recharge them.
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