40 gorgeous garden lighting ideas to brighten up yours

Glow up your garden with outdoor lighting

The right outdoor lighting scheme is a vital part of any garden design, especially when 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?

Read on for the brightest garden lighting ideas...

Illuminate a gazebo

Ensure your gazebo is stylishly well-lit for an evening soiree on the garden terrace.

Hang string lights on the roof or use the rafters to secure and hang pendant-style lanterns. Finish the intimate and well-polished atmosphere with plenty of candlelight flickering on the tabletop underneath.

Try a fire table

Up the style factor in your garden with the addition of a firepit.

Position it in the centre of a seated area as the perfect focal point that emits both light and heat, giving you the opportunity to entertain well into the evening.

Opt for contemporary lanterns

Impress your guests at evening garden parties with funky flame-throwing lanterns. A powder-coated base and cage surround will look contemporary on the patio while a traditional flame is enchanting.

This Scandi-style basket lantern is powered by a gas cartridge and is sure to entrance guests all evening.

String lights on shepherd hooks

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 charming shepherd's hooks.

Choose ones with a sturdy double-pronged base for added stability and spray paint to suit your scheme.

Run LEDs along step treads

LED strip lighting can be cut and customised to fit almost anywhere in the garden. The light chips are attached directly on a printed circuit board which can then be stuck onto step treads or decking to create a linear light-up walkway or border.

Not only will the effect light up the garden steps for safety, the luminous glow will make your entrance or garden patio look super stylish.

Enhance coastal charm

Ideal for houses near the water or homeowners with an affinity for the ocean, nautical wall lights and lanterns are the perfect way to evoke coastal charm in your backyard.

Look for lighting modelled on a ship's bulkhead, or that might be found illuminating a jetty and dot in lanterns made from natural materials.

Follow the festoon fashion

Festoons have become a garden lighting classic, whether you opt for solar or main-operated options.

Their retro form and industrial-style fittings are effortlessly chic and so easy to install. These ones instantly transform an outdoor space.

Go global

Create a cosy spot to sit and relax into the night with blankets, cushions and plenty of ambient light.

Coloured or patterned glass votive candles and Moroccan-style lanterns omit a flickering glow that will create an opulent oasis.

Bring in portable lanterns

Perfect for renters' gardens or holiday home terraces, a portable lantern is easily transported. They are an ideal addition to alfresco parties or cosy nights out snuggling up with a hot chocolate, gathered around the firepit.

And who says they only work on tabletops? Nestle them in amongst borders, as shown here, during garden gatherings for an extra layer of lighting.

Brighten up the balcony

Not everyone is lucky enough to own a garden. But, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a patch of perfectly lit paradise.

A wall light may have been installed as standard, but why not up the atmosphere to a balcony with a string of fairy lights and lanterns that throw out pretty shadows? You'll be amazed at the difference it makes to a small space.

Pick classic lanterns

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.

Make room for a little magic

As autumn arrives bringing cosy colours and motifs, why not embrace the change of season with novelty additions like these sweet mushroom lights?

Each 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.

Float illuminating balls

Make your garden pond or pool look magical with floating spheres. Glorious mood lights can glow your favourite colour or run through a succession of hues to mesmerise and set the vibe.

If one is not enough numerous balls sailing slowly around your water feature will make a striking statement.

Dine in style

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 pergola if you have one or drape across fences and trees.

Carry in a table lamp

Simple low, shaded table lamps are perfect for evening entertaining. When relaxing alfresco, you want enough illumination to be able to see what you're doing to socialise comfortably, but not feel like you're underneath a floodlight.

A simple but stylish battery-powered table lamp like this, with some others dotted nearby, are all you need.

Bring out bamboo stakes

Keep your garden tiki bar illuminated into the night by lining your lawn with Polynesian-style bamboo stake lights.

Opt for safe solar versions with a daylight sensor so they will automatically light up the party as darkness falls.

Feature a garden parasol

At the end of the summer when there is still a little bit of soft evening glow, you only need to give the brightness levels a boost to render your outdoor space useable.

Hanging string lights inside a parasol is a brilliant place to start your garden lighting scheme, creating a cosy garden room feel. Just make sure they are suitable for outdoor use before leaving them overnight.

Brighten your borders

Scope out pretty solar lights to give your garden an enchanting feel. These ones are designed to look like large dandelion flowers with warm white LED lights that illuminate them.

They will look charming dotted in groups in amongst long grasses, nestled in between shady shrubs, or standing proud and bursting with light at border edges.

Edge a lawn

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.

Create an outdoor room

Make the terrace feel as cosy as the living room with an outdoor floor lamp that echoes an indoor feature.

Contemporary and luxurious the sheer size of this piece is nothing but striking and stylish. Choose a steel or aluminium lamp that can withstand the winter elements or pack away along with outdoor furniture during cold months.

Dress a tree

Add a whimsical touch to your evening garden with magical twinkling trees. Choose yellow battery-operated fairy lights with a glow warm tone and wrap them around the trunks of trees to create an ambient effect that's inviting and idyllic.

If possible, enhance and layer the look by hanging paper globe lanterns from branches. Then, watch as guests gravitate to the spectacle.

Layer lanterns

Create a relaxed yet stylish look by choosing bamboo or rattan lanterns to create a boho or cool souk vibe in your garden.

They are just the thing to light up a cosy entertaining corner. Just remember to bring them inside after entertaining.

Zig-zag a canopy

A simple but effective way to enjoy the evening is to simply invest in a string of festoon lights and zig-zag them low above your heads to create a ceiling of lights. A ceiling of twinkling lights can transform an outdoor patio into an alfresco fairytale wonderland.

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. For wider gardens invest in festoon poles or look for anchor points such as garden sheds or chunky tree branches and secure the lights to them.

Warm with a patio heater

If you are looking to warm up as well as light up your outdoor space combine your needs with a funky and modern patio heater.

Look for designs that throw out plenty of light as well as heat like this contemporary design with a heat-proof glass cylinder. The flames are mesmerising!

Shine on

Give outdoor festoon lights a disco-style twist by swapping out vintage-look bulbs for something a little more sassy.

These 3D firework bulbs throw out beautiful dappled colours like a disco ball. The fun effect is ideal for garden celebrations and parties.

Light up the walls

Transform your garden walls and fences by decorating them from top to bottom in fairy lights. To create this incredible effect, look for extra long sets of string lights.

The only drawback we foresee is the possibility of getting in a tangle is pretty high, but the effect will be worth it!

Display a tealight chandelier

What could be more romantic as an alfresco dinner party feature than a traditional outdoor chandelier made from simple iron and glass?

A rustic-look pendant light will add an ambient glow from dainty flickering tealights hanging from a circular frame that's bound to break the ice.

Focus on exterior walls

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.

Create curtains of light

Give a garden event an extra touch of intimate charm by hanging fairy light curtains over entryways.

Just as we suggested stringing trains of fairy lights against walls, the same method can be used to make a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere as well as zone areas.

Light up the outdoor kitchen

Indoor kitchens need practical task lighting so outdoor kitchens do too when cooking alfresco at night.

Warm yellow spotlights will highlight the impressive outdoor feature as well as offer an efficient and effective glow. Blend the kitchen into the rest of the garden by installing coherent uplights in amongst flowerbeds and at the base of trees.

Perk up steps with pebbles

Give a dark outdoor staircase a quirky lift by popping a solar-powered LED outdoor pebble light on each step.

The inconsistent shapes of these glass pebble lights create a natural element of fun against the uniform steps. When powered up by daylight, they pop on automatically at dusk too.

Add easy box lanterns

For a no-fuss, low impact lighting solution for pathways and patios, these solar-powered LED lights are just the trick.

Portable and pretty, you can easily arrange them to light the way or dot around a seating area to improve floor-level visibility. The wire lights in these endearing lanterns create a firefly effect when they automatically pop on as dusk approaches.

Intensify archways

Curves and arches give gardens intrigue and depth during the day time so just imagine the impact they have when light up with lights to guide the way?

Another easy yet impressive garden lighting idea that can be easily achieved with outdoor string or fairy lights. We particularly love the tunnel effect impact this trio of arches makes along a garden pathway

Layer up illumination

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.

Be rustic with rope lighting

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.

Hang up a glass chandelier

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.

Place candles in glass baubles

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!

Add colour with bright bulbs

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!

Group together faux candles

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.

Glow up wreaths and topiary

Who says light-up wreaths are just for Christmas? Seasonal wreaths dotted with fairy lights can add celebrational cheer in your garden for Halloween, Easter and the summer solstice too.

Continue the joy by decorating other garden foliage with twinkling lights. Ornamental bay and olive trees, hanging baskets, window baskets and even climbers deserve to shine too.