Next is selling the smartest wireless outdoor light that transforms a parasol into a floor lamp – keep the party going late into the evening
Add task lighting to your next garden soiree in style
If you love a summer party that drifts late into the evening, outdoor lighting is a must. I think I've just found the ultimate garden light no summer hosting fan should be without at Next: the New Garden White Lima Portable Rechargeable Light.
This clever little rechargeable outdoor light might not look like much on its own, but it makes transitioning from sheltering under a parasol during the day to lingering outside in the dusk over a bottle of wine so much easier.
The Lima portable rechargeable light, priced at £49, looks like an ordinary white doughnut lamp. However, it uses magnets to snap apart in the middle and fasten around the pole of any of the best parasols. It effectively turns your garden umbrella into a supersized floor lamp, ideal for lighting up a dining table or an outdoor seating area.
You can find this portable light at other retailers, but Next is currently offering one of the best prices for it.
The Lima isn't the only light solution that has tackled the issue of illuminating underneath a garden parasol at night, but it is certainly one of the chicest. It's curved, discreet design blends neatly into the parasol and can be turned on with a remote control from where you're sitting.
The Lima light requires no installation; it simply uses a built-in magnet for easy attachment to a parasol or to garden railings. It also has an impressive battery life, delivering 20 hours of continuous lighting from one charge.
Using the remote control, you can control the intensity and colours of light to set the mood for your outdoor gathering. You can choose between three intensity levels and warmths, along with red, green and blue light options.
When it comes to garden lighting ideas, layering types of light like you would indoors is often forgotten, but it's just as important. You still need to think about ambient lighting to set the general mood. This can be done via festoon lights or with globe lights dotted around a patio. Then you need to consider accent lighting to highlight features in the garden, such as sculptural plants lit with an uplight, or a beautiful overhanging tree branch wrapped in micro fairylights.
Finally, you need something like the Lima or a cheaper option, such as this £14 Amazon parasol light, to operate as task lighting over a dining table or a seating area. This type of lighting allows you to see what you're doing while entertaining outside in the evening.
What I particularly love about using something like the Lima as a task lighting solution is that it doesn't take up any additional surface or floor space as a recharge table lamp, making it ideal for small garden ideas. However, if you prefer your task light to look more decorative, rechargeable table lamps like these £85 from Pooky, available in a range of trending colours, will elevate your next garden party.
Here are a couple of other clever lighting solutions I've spotted to light up a garden parasol this summer.
If you want to combine your ambient and task lighting, this LED set is ideal. The 80 bulbs run along the spokes of the parasol to create a beautiful twinkling look.
This combination of fairy lights and festoon lights will offer a more magical look to your garden parasol. Each strand of lights wraps around each spoke, leaving just enough wire for the bulbs to dangle and different length around the edge create a gorgeous boho look.
If you're simply after something practical and affordable this LED light will do the trick. It's a fraction of the price of the one on sale at Next, while it's not as pretty, it will get the job done.
Get ready to light up your garden and continue the party into the night this summer.
