35 garden lighting ideas to illuminate your outdoor space

Ensure your outdoor space remains warm and welcoming even after the sun has set

garden lighting ideas alfresco table dressed with lights set around festoon lights and pendants and solar powered floor lamps
(Image credit: The Solar Centre)

As the days begin to get shorter and the nights get longer, the right type of garden lighting ideas can help you extend the amount of time that you spend out in your outdoor space. 

Whether you’re looking to recreate cosy garden ideas that will carry you into the winter months, or add a romantic ambience to your patio ideas, some of our favourite garden design ideas features include beautiful gardening lighting ideas.  But beyond looking beautiful, some of the best lighting ideas will also offer extra security to your garden during the winter months. 

We've spoken to the experts to round up some of the most beautiful garden lighting ideas that will inspire you to continue to use your garden right up until Christmas.

Garden lighting ideas

In a similar vein to lighting your living room, in most cases, you’ll want to strike a good balance between practical lighting – which provides illumination – and decorative lighting. But obviously, you will want to select lighting which has been specifically designed for use outdoors to ensure that they are durable enough to withstand many different weather conditions.

'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

durable brass wall light by stone house with yellow bike


(Image credit: Pooky)

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

Twinkly Festoon Lights

(Image credit: Twinkly)

You may already use smart lighting inside your home, so why not use it in the 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/off at set times or adjust throughout the evening,’ reveals 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,’ Kate adds.

For those looking to brighten up their pergola ideas, ‘these 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,’ Andrea Tellatin, CEO of Twinkly

Their smart Festoon lights 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 some of your favourite areas.

3. Illuminate steps and paths for safety

garden steps with lights in wall

(Image credit: Light House Designs)

Steps are one of the most dangerous parts of a garden’s landscape – especially after dark. Thankfully, there are lots of garden lighting ideas for illuminating steps. Strip lighting can be installed under each riser which lights up the step below. 

Alternatively, hooded spots as seen in this 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

Cox & Cox Hatfield Lounge Set With Firepit

(Image credit: Cox & Cox)

One lighting idea that you may not have considered until now is installing a fire pit. ‘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 amount of outdoor space to play with or a much larger, sprawling garden, fire pit ideas come in a variety of different sizes and designs. Just make sure to keep 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. And always follow the safety precautions when you do go to use it.

5. Incorporate architectural lights into your borders

stone globe light in border

(Image credit: Stone Globe Lights/Garden designed by Melissa Morton (melissamorton.co.uk))

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.

6. Add height to your garden by illuminating trees

tree draped in fairy lights

(Image credit: Lights4Fun)

During the day, trees provide architectural structure in the garden, however, your garden's definition gets lost once the sun sets. To add height to your garden at night, 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. 

When opting for solar-powered lights it is important that you place the panel in a spot where it will receive maximum sunlight otherwise you’ll find yourself plunged into darkness come nightfall. 

These warm white solar fairy lights, £29.99, 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

gold bauble festoon lights positioned in front of a mirror

(Image credit: Ella James)

We all know the mirror’s power to reflect light around a dark room. However, this also applies to the garden. During the day garden mirror ideas will encourage light into dark spots or will 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 too, throwing light back into the space. 

These mains-powered indoor/outdoor Gold Lustre LED Festoon Lights, £39, Ella James are themselves reflective and will instantly transform a dark corner in a pretty and bright spot.

8. Dress a table with portable lighting

candle on alfresco dining table

(Image credit: Neptune)

Portable garden lighting ideas are a great way to add layers to alfresco dining areas. An elegant lantern, such as the Browning Lantern, from £28, Neptune, allows 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 throughout the night.

9. Layer lighting around a garden table

garden lighting ideas alfresco table dressed with lights set around festoon lights and pendants and solar powered floor lamps

(Image credit: The Solar Centre)

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 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

Exterior of red brick house with metal bifold doors and black metal wall light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

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, 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

Garden Trading Putney Solar Path Light

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

An easy way to elevate the look of your home is by lining your driveway with lights. 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.

12. Illuminate a small space

Courtyard with metal table and chairs, living walls and spotlights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson)

Thoughtful lighting is important when working with small garden ideas. In a cosy courtyard or petite patio, add subtle and small spotlights. Raised up high, you won't be losing any of the footprints 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

Garden with dining set on tiled patio area surrounded by white walls with spotlights

(Image credit: Future PLC)

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

Garden at night showing lights in lush flower beds

(Image credit: Detail Lighting)

When adding garden lighting ideas to your scheme, start by studying your garden throughout the day and into the evening.

'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

Exterior of house at night with light up trees

(Image credit: Future PLC/Alun Callender)

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

Outdoor sofa under pergola with brushed metal pendant lamp

(Image credit: Industville)

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, 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 lightings 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

Garden with small tree in pot and solar powered bulbs on branches

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Effective outdoor lighting ideas don't always have to shout about their presence. Light bulbs strung from trees and shrubs are nearly unnoticeable during the day, but add a pretty glow come evening. 

Oft for Solar Festoon Lights from Amazon so you can hang them up en masse and not worry about charging.

18. Add interest to a trellis

Wooden trellis will tin cans upcycled into tealight and plant holders

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

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.

Do stick to battery powered tealights, from £7.99, Amazon, to stop any dry wood or foliage from catching a spark.

19. Add a touch of fun by clustering orb lights

Value Lights Regular Rechargeable Colour Changing Toka Outdoor Ball Light

(Image credit: Value 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,’ Marlena concludes. 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.

20. Get flexible with a rechargeable lamp

Rechargeable gold lamp on glass table beside two pink glasses

(Image credit: Pooky)

Make your outdoor lighting ideas flexible so you can illuminate where and when you need to. The latest trend is for 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.'

21. Create a simple centrepiece

garden with steps and decorated by candle light in terracotta pots

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

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 and place all around the patio to create a cosy glow while eating.

22. Opt for a mini lamp post

garden with wooden fence and lamp post

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

An elegant option for outdoor lighting ideas is to choose a lamp post style design. Ideal for the both the front and back garden, many designs rely on solar power to light them, so won't need to be attached to the mains in order to light up your garden. 

Lamp post lights work wonderfully in symmetry so opt for one either side of a patio or one either side of a front gate.

23. Light up your balcony

garden with roof terrace and string light decorated with black wall

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

A balcony may be small, but it's perfectly formed and would still benefit hugely from some garden lighting ideas. Festoon lighting works wonderfully hung along a wall or railings and can be plugged in inside, then looped around your outside space. 

Candles in glass lanterns will help to create pockets of soft, flickering light in darker corners and on table tops.

24. Mix and match styles

garden decorated with paper lantern strung along wooden fence

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles)

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

garden living room with plant in pots and sofa set with cushions

(Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson)

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

garden with lighting and plants

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

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

garden with wall mounted light in patio area

(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Everard)

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

garden area with plants and shrubs with accent chairs

(Image credit: Future PLC/Annaick Guitteny)

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

garden decorated with black pebbles and lantern lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Spike Powell)

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.

30. Stake out a path of solar light

garden lawn with large and sturdy pots lanterns and lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lucinda Symons)

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. they are moveable and therefore allow a layout to be changed, or even take them with you should you move.

31. Utilise low level lighting

garden with lilies and ground lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Bolton)

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

garden decorated with fairy string lights

(Image credit: Light4Fun)

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

garden decorated with long festoon lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

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

garden path decorated with lantern light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Scott)

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 create it yourself with a hole-punch and a few minutes of your time.

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 either side of garden steps, they'll light your guests' way and look totally charming.

35. Go for colour-coordinating lanterns

garden with flowers decorated by led lanterns

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)

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. 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, Head of Technical Services, 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, 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, Head of Design, 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.'

Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street. 

With contributions from