10 Stylish Ways to Light Your Garden
Take your outdoor space from day to night with these bright ideas
Amanda Pollard
21 May 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Make the most of your garden this summer by ensuring it’s lit up in the evening. From integrated mains-powered options to simple solar-powered lamps, all our options will keep you out of the dark.
Lead the way
Find your way around the garden at night by illuminating a path. You could go for a uniform look with bollard lamps dotted along the edge at regular intervals, or opt for a less formal design like this one. Here, a couple of lamps are positioned right along the path, while others are dotted inside the borders to light up the foliage. The effect is dramatic and inviting.
Opt for solar-powered designs to keep things simple, and choose bulbs that emit a warm white, rather than cool light, as it will create a softer, more welcoming glow.
Find your way around the garden at night by illuminating a path. You could go for a uniform look with bollard lamps dotted along the edge at regular intervals, or opt for a less formal design like this one. Here, a couple of lamps are positioned right along the path, while others are dotted inside the borders to light up the foliage. The effect is dramatic and inviting.
Opt for solar-powered designs to keep things simple, and choose bulbs that emit a warm white, rather than cool light, as it will create a softer, more welcoming glow.
Focus on the greenery
Seating areas tend to get a lot of attention when it comes to lighting, so it’s easy to forget about the rest of the garden. Avoid the prospect of staring into darkness by placing lights around every part of your outdoor space. The lamps in the flowerbeds here provide a warm glow and will give anyone sitting on the patio something to gaze out at.
This type of lighting doesn’t need to be strong, and solar-powered lamps are ideal. However, if you are going to opt for mains-powered lighting make sure it is fitted by a qualified electrician who will ensure the steel-wired cable is safely installed at least 750mm under the ground.
Seating areas tend to get a lot of attention when it comes to lighting, so it’s easy to forget about the rest of the garden. Avoid the prospect of staring into darkness by placing lights around every part of your outdoor space. The lamps in the flowerbeds here provide a warm glow and will give anyone sitting on the patio something to gaze out at.
This type of lighting doesn’t need to be strong, and solar-powered lamps are ideal. However, if you are going to opt for mains-powered lighting make sure it is fitted by a qualified electrician who will ensure the steel-wired cable is safely installed at least 750mm under the ground.
Look to LEDs
Not only are they energy efficient, but unlike other energy-saving bulbs they are instantly bright when switched on. LED lights are also low-voltage and easy to install with a cable connected to a transformer. And, as they are low-voltage, the cable doesn’t need to be buried deep in the ground. Here, LED spike lights are dotted among the foliage and an LED strip is fitted below the bench seating.
Not only are they energy efficient, but unlike other energy-saving bulbs they are instantly bright when switched on. LED lights are also low-voltage and easy to install with a cable connected to a transformer. And, as they are low-voltage, the cable doesn’t need to be buried deep in the ground. Here, LED spike lights are dotted among the foliage and an LED strip is fitted below the bench seating.
Take it to the deck
On a decked terrace, it’s a nice idea to install recessed LEDs in the boards. You can position them in a line along one board, or try something more creative and curvy as the owners of this garden have done.
To install them, you’ll need to remove the boards, then you can mark where you want to put the lights. Bear in mind the length and position of the power cord while you’re working this out. Select a drill bit that will create a hole that is a couple of millimetres bigger than the light and fitting. Finally insert the lights in the holes, connect to the cord and position a waterproof seal around each light.
Discover how to turn your deck or patio into an outdoor lounge
On a decked terrace, it’s a nice idea to install recessed LEDs in the boards. You can position them in a line along one board, or try something more creative and curvy as the owners of this garden have done.
To install them, you’ll need to remove the boards, then you can mark where you want to put the lights. Bear in mind the length and position of the power cord while you’re working this out. Select a drill bit that will create a hole that is a couple of millimetres bigger than the light and fitting. Finally insert the lights in the holes, connect to the cord and position a waterproof seal around each light.
Discover how to turn your deck or patio into an outdoor lounge
Start a fire
Combine heat and lighting by investing in a fire pit. You’ll be glad you did when the temperature drops. This pit has a sleek metal panel behind to reflect the flames and provide an even brighter glow.
There are many different models around - from simple and inexpensive freestanding braziers - to custom-built versions like the one here - so it should be easy to find the right fire pit for your space.
Combine heat and lighting by investing in a fire pit. You’ll be glad you did when the temperature drops. This pit has a sleek metal panel behind to reflect the flames and provide an even brighter glow.
There are many different models around - from simple and inexpensive freestanding braziers - to custom-built versions like the one here - so it should be easy to find the right fire pit for your space.
Hang a chandelier
Make the most of any overhead structures by hanging a statement pendant. Waterproof LED or solar-powered designs are widely available and are perfect for giving your terrace the feel of a real living room.
The pergola here holds an ornate chandelier, which is an unexpected addition and adds a luxurious touch. For a pendant that doubles up as a heater, try one of the hanging halogen heaters that are available from various retailers. They come in attractive on-trend designs and are also great if you want to combine warmth and light.
Find more inspiration on how to make your garden an extra living space
Make the most of any overhead structures by hanging a statement pendant. Waterproof LED or solar-powered designs are widely available and are perfect for giving your terrace the feel of a real living room.
The pergola here holds an ornate chandelier, which is an unexpected addition and adds a luxurious touch. For a pendant that doubles up as a heater, try one of the hanging halogen heaters that are available from various retailers. They come in attractive on-trend designs and are also great if you want to combine warmth and light.
Find more inspiration on how to make your garden an extra living space
Link the inside and out
If your rear living space opens out to the garden like this one, consider connecting both spaces with lighting that is alike.
Here, both the house and garden have similar styles of lighting with the same white beam. The interior’s recessed lights are echoed in the steps that lead down to the garden, helping to make the outside feel like a continuation of indoors.
If your rear living space opens out to the garden like this one, consider connecting both spaces with lighting that is alike.
Here, both the house and garden have similar styles of lighting with the same white beam. The interior’s recessed lights are echoed in the steps that lead down to the garden, helping to make the outside feel like a continuation of indoors.
Turn trees into features
Uplighting trees or plants is a simple, yet effective, way to add drama to an outside space. Here, the light beam is directed solely towards each tree, emphasising each one’s unique sculptural shape. The trees become like living artworks.
For added drama, try uplighting trees that stand before a wall to cast dramatic shadows – try it out with a torch before you set up your lighting to be sure which angle creates the best effect.
Uplighting trees or plants is a simple, yet effective, way to add drama to an outside space. Here, the light beam is directed solely towards each tree, emphasising each one’s unique sculptural shape. The trees become like living artworks.
For added drama, try uplighting trees that stand before a wall to cast dramatic shadows – try it out with a torch before you set up your lighting to be sure which angle creates the best effect.
Make it magical
Fairy lights are a wonderfully simple and usually inexpensive way to illuminate your garden. They can be strung up anywhere and moved around when needed. Simply hang some between trees, drape them over an arbour or pergola, or put them along a fence.
For a festive look you could opt for brightly coloured lights. Here, simple white fairy lights have been teamed with a variety of other designs, including hanging glass bottles filled with tealights.
Fairy lights are a wonderfully simple and usually inexpensive way to illuminate your garden. They can be strung up anywhere and moved around when needed. Simply hang some between trees, drape them over an arbour or pergola, or put them along a fence.
For a festive look you could opt for brightly coloured lights. Here, simple white fairy lights have been teamed with a variety of other designs, including hanging glass bottles filled with tealights.
Pop in some lanterns
Another simple and effective way to provide atmospheric lighting in your garden is to dot around some candles and lanterns. There are some great battery- and solar-powered versions, which offer a safe flicker that won’t blow away in the breeze.
The mirrored tray here keeps a group of glass tealight holders together and reflects the light back into the space.
What do you think of these lighting ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below
Another simple and effective way to provide atmospheric lighting in your garden is to dot around some candles and lanterns. There are some great battery- and solar-powered versions, which offer a safe flicker that won’t blow away in the breeze.
The mirrored tray here keeps a group of glass tealight holders together and reflects the light back into the space.
What do you think of these lighting ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below
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I love outdoor chandeliers but they are so expensive. Can you adapt a bathroom chandelier to be used outdoors?
Love the mix of fairy lights a romantic touch to that outdoor setting.
All outside lighting should be ultra low voltage, I.E. less than 50v ac. Mains voltage is very dangerous and restrictive by way of the install having to be buried and professionally installed. The added dander is the last piece of lighting cable/flex that will be exposed and is therefore easily damaged and thus lethal, especially to children.