Outdoor lighting design: how to plan garden lighting with confidence

Once you know about outdoor lighting design, you'll feel more confident to plan your garden lighting schemes. Not just for adding atmosphere, the right outdoor lighting can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your outside space. It can spotlight stunning features, help to visually stretch your patch, let you happily cook, read and entertain as well as safely guide the way. It can also change how often you use your gardens too – letting you stay outside well after sundown, not to mention providing a beautiful backdrop for you to view when you’re tucked up indoors.

But how do you get your outdoor lighting design right? Especially as there are so many tantalising new products out there? Directional spotlights, wall washers, the latest outdoor floor lamps and contour LED lighting strips are all seriously tempting, but they do create very different effects, so it’s worth working out exactly what you want to achieve before splashing out.

Of course, your dreams of stunning garden lighting ideas may stretch beyond the odd lighting feature and, instead, dwell on a sophisticated lighting scheme that highlights different parts of the garden – all controlled from your smartphone. If so, is this a job for a specialist lighting designer or something you can plan and install yourself? Need to know more? Then get comfy and keep scrolling.

What are the different types of outdoor lighting design?

Layering different lighting types creates an inviting space, as in this scheme by Garden Builders (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Garden Builders)

When it comes to choosing the best outdoor lights for your scheme, task, ambient, security and feature lighting all play a part in good outdoor lighting design. The more we use our outside spaces, the more important each becomes.

Good task lighting is key to being able to safely cook, read and cater for guests outside, as well as help guide you safely around the garden, picking out potential hazards such as steps and rills. Bright fixed and adjustable spotlights, downlighters, recessed deck lights and inground indicators are made for this job.

Ambient lighting, such as our stunning festoon light ideas, are all about adding atmosphere, introducing pools of soft, warm light into the blackness to encourage guests to linger, relax and unwind. Wall lights with broad beams of light or dual directions will wash the walls with light, while uplighters softened by foliage will cast a warm, cosy glow, perfect behind seating and for lifting, gloomy corners. Outdoor pendants over dining areas and, hung low over coffee tables also create beautiful features for your space.

‘Feature lighting is essential for making your outdoor space come to life,’ says the team at Lights4Fun. ‘From outdoor candles adorning tabletops to twinkling fairy lights strung over arches and pergolas. By dotting feature lighting around at varying heights, you’ll be able to create a feeling of warmth and cosiness throughout your space. It’s also perfect for showcasing your garden’s best assets. Two or three staked spotlights shining up through a tree or a sculpted shrub will transform it into a stunning feature and add instant X-factor.'

Security lighting will provide peace of mind and help deter intruders. From wall and ceiling mounted fittings, to post, path and floodlights there are plenty of options out to choose from. Of course, these lights don’t have to be permanently on – you won’t be very popular with your neighbours for a start – so sensor activated and Smart tech fittings are well worth considering.

Tailor outdoor lighting design to suit your space

Get started by listing key garden features so you know the main areas you want to illuminate. In this scheme by John Cullen Lighting (opens in new tab), the lighting ensures the four trees are the focal point of the space (Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)

The trick to planning garden lighting is knowing your plot and understanding how the different spaces fit together. ‘Decide on the areas you want to light, what your key features are and focus on these,’ suggests Sally Storey, Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting.

One simple way to do this is to walk around the space and make a list. Your main priority might be including some great patio lighting ideas, but don’t forget to consider the views from inside your home too, as Sally also mentions, ‘Think of lighting a focal point towards the end of your garden such as a tree or sculpture to extend your view. You can also use spiked lights to add a wash of light to the planting surrounding your alfresco dining area or seating areas.’

Changes in level or surface also need a small amount of light to act as a safety guide while larger, open areas such as a deep border or open stretch of grass can be lit by broader sweeps of light, to create dramatic layers. Decorative highlights such as water features, textured screens and stonework can also be creatively lit to dramatic effect.

One key point to remember though, is that less lighting is more effective. Too many competing lights or strong beams will simply result in a blinding glare, while a few well-chosen and well-placed light sources, will create subtlety, intrigue, and a fascinating result.

Zone your garden with clever outdoor lighting design

By layering different lighting effects you can create different moods, as in this scheme by Garden Builders (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Garden Builders)

Good outdoor lighting design is all about creating atmosphere. Playing with pockets of light and overlaying them to create different effects is all part of the fun, but did you know it can also impact on how you use your outside space? As human beings, we tend to gravitate to a concentration of light, so it makes perfect sense to bathe your outdoor lounge and dining areas in a warm, welcoming glow.

There are plenty of ways to do this, and to suit every budget too. Teaming our pergola ideas with a canopy of fairy lights or adding groups of flickering lanterns are all uber-simple touches that will instantly create a wonderland-like feel.

For a smart, contemporary look that works perfectly with our modern garden ideas, try a more permanent installation. Uplighters in raised borders shining through foliage and wall lights fixed at intervals around a seating area will all cast a soft, gentle light. Add drama and depth with hidden under-seat lighting strips and pinhole deck lights. Illuminated coffee tables and planters also add a fun, party vibe.

The colour and tone of lighting plays a huge part in how an area feels. Warm tones ranging from a soft, white light through to deeper golden shades encourage you to relax and linger while bold, cooler tones of blues, greens and purples create a sense of drama and mystery. Perfect for artistic effect or, perhaps Halloween, but not really suited to a relaxed alfresco supper.

Many smart lighting systems such as Phillips Hue have the option to select and phase between colours, great for endless experimenting. It’s also worth knowing that LED lights come in a wide range of ‘white’ tones. Referred to as colour temperature – these range from icy, blue-white lights, ideal for highlighting crisp architectural details – to a warm white light similar to a fireside glow.

Highlight key features with your garden lighting

Hang twinkling pendants in trees and shrubs for stunning effects. This Starliter hanging light (opens in new tab) is from John Cullen Lighting (Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)

If you want to show off a favourite sculpture, tree or wall panel, then light it up. It’s the perfect way to enjoy it 24/7 and view it in a slightly different way too. LED Spike garden spotlights can be pushed into the ground and angled to shine up trees and shrubs. Lights vary in reach (or lumens), beam width and can create very different effects. A single spotlight will do the job, but two or three spotlights positioned at different angles will create a more rounded and elegant result.

Wall and surface mounted downlights are also useful, and look best used in pairs, threes or fives. Designs vary in the width, reach and angle of the beam and some fittings combine both up and downward lights for a strikingly, modern look.

For a softer and more informal look, why not position lights within branches or foliage? Look for the latest pendant lights, solar lanterns, or clusters of industrial style filament bulbs, all will cast a gentle glow.

There's plenty more inspiration in our outdoor tree lighting ideas feature.

Include hidden light fittings to add drama

These Grey Yorkstone Bullnose Steps from London Stone (opens in new tab) have been turned into a a stunning night-time feature with hidden LED strips (Image credit: London Stone/Rosebank Landscaping)

Thanks to the arrival of LEDs (light emitting diodes for those that need to know) there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing fittings for your garden. These tiny units – created by an electrical current passing through a microchip – give out a powerful bright, white light that lasts so much longer than a traditional luminescent light bulb.

In fact, LEDs don’t tend to fail at all, instead they gradually dim over time, but take many years to do so. The beauty of this long-lived light source is that, thanks to its miniscule size, it can be used in many ways.

Low profile strip lighting is a great way to add an extra dimension to your garden steps ideas, as it can sit discreetly under the steps throwing light onto the surface below. This idea works equally well with garden tables and benches too.

Compact indicator and tiny deck lights will sit flush within a paving material, emitting light beams that either hug the surrounding surface or create pinpricks of light. You'll find more inspiration for your modern paving ideas in our feature too.

Go for specialist light fittings for water features

Light up water features for a beautiful effect at night. This bronze garden water feature is from Lights4Fun (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Lights4Fun)

The sight of light bouncing off running water is mesmerising and will instantly bring any outdoor space alive. Rills, water chutes, bubbling jets and tranquil ponds are all stunning water feature ideas that will provide endless opportunities to experiment with different types of lighting and create different effects, an opportunity that most professional lighting and garden designer’s relish. Of course, specialised water-safe fittings are a must – a rating of IP68 denotes that a light can be safely used to a depth of 1.5m underwater.

There are a wide range of suitable lights to consider. Spotlights with weighted bases are great for sitting under the water, or for tucking behind the arc of falling water. Their powerful beam will illuminate the feature and create a striking focal point. For a calmer effect try a series of smaller uplighters positioned around the pond or rills edge – perfect for a sharp, contemporary look.

Water blades – those water-channelling, steel spouts that appear from walls, present another exciting lighting opportunity. LED strip lights – often with remote colour changing capabilities – can be fitted within the blade to shine through the water as it cascades into the pool below.

Use indoor-style lights for your outdoor lighting design

A wireless lamp, such as this Emu Cone garden light from Go Moder (opens in new tab)n, is perfect for relaxing outside (Image credit: Go Modern)

Soft, ambient lighting is every interior designer’s top tool for cosying up a room, so why should outside spaces be any different? With more of us spending time planning our new decking ideas and patios, we need quality lighting that will help us relax, read and entertain as well as create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Look at the styles of lamp and lighting you use indoors and bring them outdoors to add interest to your outdoor living space ideas and the best garden furniture. Tina Mahony from Go Modern suggests, ‘If you have a favourite garden armchair chair opt for a garden floor lamp, just as you would do with an indoor chair. Outdoor pendant lights are now popular and look incredibly pretty hung from a tree, cast beautiful shadows and a warm ambient light.’

Of course, performance is just as important as looks, so it’s crucial to look for fittings that are safe to use outside. ‘Choose specialist lights that will withstand all weathers,’ adds Tina. ‘Look for frames in materials such as powder-coated aluminium, stainless steel, or solid teak from sustainable sources.’

Improve your home’s security with outdoor lighting

Frame doorways beautifully with a pair of wall mounted downlights. Mast Light in Sandblasted Bronze from Original BTC (opens in new tab) (Image credit: Original BTC)

Good outdoor lighting can provide reassurance and help deter intruders, providing it’s well-chosen and carefully positioned. There are several different types of security lighting available and the most popular fittings incorporate PIR’s – Passive Infrared sensor which will automatically turn the light on when the sensor detects movement within its range. These lights can be both mains and solar powered.

Manually operated floodlights are another option and are great for lighting the rear or sides of your home. They are powerful though so place and angle them carefully to avoid annoying neighbours and local wildlife. Go for costly but energy saving LEDs or expensive, ultra-bright Halogen floodlights.

Thoughtful siting is key when it comes to how effective these lights are as the team at Primrose explain, ‘The best security lights are motion-activated, have wide beams and give off at least 700 to 1300 lumens. You should place your light near an access point to your home or garden. Fix the light 6 to 10 feet off the ground, facing down and in a position where the light can fill the most space.'

Front doors and porches are obvious places to start. If you have a front porch, try a hanging lantern or discreet downlighter, otherwise a pair of the best outdoor wall lights or surface-hugging mast lights will add a welcoming touch.

Side passageways, garage areas, plus large ground floor expanses of glass – bi-fold and sliding doors etc can all be lit by stylish wall lights, in-set path lights or a series of slender post lights.

Driveways, especially if they are lengthy can also benefit from their own lighting. Regularly spaced bollards, posts or inlaid paving lights will help guide you home and eliminate blackspots, just don’t overdo it or it could have all the appeal of a runway.

Many light fittings can also be synced into a wider, smart home security system, allowing you to monitor your home via your smartphone or other device. Providing added security when you are home or away, you can turn individual lights on or off, or set them to come on as part of a more complex, timed programme. Combine with the best outdoor security cameras and you'll have complete peace of mind.

Take control of your garden lighting

A smart lighting system will let you control and alter the mood via your smartphone or tablet (Image credit: Living Gardens)

There’s something intensely satisfying at being able to control and change your garden lighting remotely. Whether to impress your friends or turn the lights on ready for your return home, more and more products have this capability built in.

From individual decorative lights – think colour changing orbs and stools, to strings of connectable fairy and festoons lights and comprehensive, whole-garden lighting designs, each come with either a handy remote or can be controlled via an app or as part of your home’s hub. Lights4fun's Twinkly string lights can be coloured, phased and controlled via the Twinkly Smart App to create magical effects. Clever built-in mapping also enables you to ‘zone’ groups of lights depending on their location, offering endless creativity.

For a more comprehensive remote garden lighting system try Philips Hue (opens in new tab). Choose from wall lights, spots, floodlights and pedestals and use them to illuminate your outside space. Linked into a smart home hub you can then control them via an app and enjoy experimenting with endless colours, phasing and zoning options.

As well as changing the look and feel of your lighting, you can also turn smart outdoor light fittings on and off remotely, program them with timer settings or set them to be activated by motion sensor. Dimmer options are also available.

Can you install outdoor lighting designs yourself or do you need to hire a professional?

You may need to hire a professional to install more permanent garden lighting (Image credit: Industville/@theresa_gromski)

Whether you can self-install outdoor lighting designs or you need to call in a professional largely depends on the overall effect and type of lighting you are after. Battery powered lights and the best solar lights are, of course, cable free – so can simply be put in place with very little fuss – but things do get a little more complex when it comes more permanent, wired installations.

In the UK, there are essentially there are two different types of cabled garden lighting: Low voltage, a current of 12 volts which produces a gentle, ambient light or High voltage, 230 volts providing enough power for numerous flood and spotlights. Due to its reduced power – a 12-volt lighting system can often be self-installed by a competent homeowner as long as it complies with current regulations. These systems usually include a transformer, pre-formed watertight connectors and cabling that can be laid just below the surface.

Fitting a high-voltage lighting system is a professional job and often one that is tricky to retro-fit too, as armoured cables have to be dug at least 50cm into the ground. Run off your existing supply they would need to be fitted and approved by a certified electrician.

Ready to plan your garden lighting scheme? Then you're probably wondering how much does garden lighting cost? Our guide has all the info you need to plan your budget.

Landscape Lighting Guide

Written by Dan Berget• 4:41 pm• The Guides

Welcome to Landscape Lighting 101. We’ll walk you through the types of landscape lighting and…

Landscape lighting can be the thing that transforms an outdoor space. In this guide we will walk you through a basic overview of the various types of lighting you’ll find in a landscape and exactly what each of them is supposed to do. We’ll look at:

What to light in your yard

Types of landscape lighting

How to use landscape lighting

Like many things in life, less can be more—and this is the case when it comes to landscape lighting. The instinct be to light up everything—every detail, every tree, every nook and every cranny—is not only inefficient, but it can also wash the yard out.

What makes a space special during the night is the play of light and dark, highlighting features and creating visual contrast using the forms and plants in your yard. Playing with these elements creates intrigue and drama, and a well-lit space will often be one that feels most inviting.

What Landscape Elements Need Light

So what do you light and what do you leave in the dark? Here are three things to consider:

Identify the features in your yard that you like. Maybe it’s a pond or a particularly stately tree—highlighting those with light will show them off.

Add drama to areas that might not stand out during the day. A simple stone wall can take on a whole new personality at night when graced with light and shadow.

Think about function. A deck with stairs or a meandering pathway need to be lit to ensure that you can move about your yard without risk of injury.

Always consider an inviting and well-lit entryway. A properly illuminated entrance will safely guide family members or guests while creating that warm and welcoming curb appeal.

The goal of landscape lighting is to only see the effect of the light, not the light source itself. The exception is path lighting, which are designed to be decorative and on display.

Types of Landscape Lighting

There are a few basic types of fixtures that you want to get familiar with when you are making your lighting plan. Below are the various types of lighting you might find in a landscape:

Micro Accent – MR11 Accent Light by Kichler

Spotlights / Floodlights

The difference between a spotlight and floodlight comes down to beam spread. Spotlights project a concentrated, narrow beam of light that’s usually around 45 degrees. It’s easier to aim and adjust so that if you’re looking to highlight specific display points, like architectural details or landscape features, a spotlight will be your best choice.

Floodlights generally have a wider beam spread, up to 120 degrees. If you’re looking to cast light over general areas like a driveway or lot, use a floodlight. It’s better for overall safety and visibility.

Knowing the width of the beam spread you want isn’t nearly as important as the beam width in feet. You want to make sure the light reaches its subject and properly illuminates all the key features you’re looking for. To determine how much light will reach its target from a certain distance, use this formula:

Angle of Beam x 0.018 x Distance from Light Bulb = Beam Width

(Example: If you have an 80-degree floodlight and install it from 10-feet away, your formula will be 80 degrees x 0.018 x 10 feet = 14.4 feet wide)

Inground Lighting

Flush 50-Watt Par 36 Well Light by Kichler

An inground light, or well light, is typically a circle-shaped fixture that installs directly into the ground, and is often used to illuminate walkways and driveways. Ingrounds really heighten the sophistication and visibility of the features in your yard. It helps create drama and atmosphere with an uplight effect that illuminates the whole of a tree or structure. It also silhouettes the characters that stand around the yard—those you wouldn’t be able to see on a typical night. They’re best mixed with spotlights, if and when you can blend them, but uplighting on its own can be a strong lighting solution.

Since inground lights are hidden in the ground, the actual light effect is what stands out. In the case of an inground, make sure it’s used to light up a strong presence in your yard. Don’t worry about garden gnomes or short flowerbeds—concentrate on trees and garden walls.

Ingrounds may also be used to light up driveways for safer navigation through gates and lot areas. These need to have the proper vehicular weight ratings to suit cars that drive over them. Choose one that is strong and has ample weight sustainability. It’s also highly suggested to go with an LED option, as they have crisp color temperatures that look brilliant in the dark and last for thousands of hours. The WAC Landscape Lighting LED 3 in. Inground Light is a great example of an inground that offers all of this.

Outdoor Post Lights

Scoop LED Bollard Light by WAC Lighting

Post lights (and their robust cousins, bollard lights) help accent the pathway to your home and set an ambient tone without the overpowering brightness of floodlights. Tall posts are great for illuminating driveways and long stretches of space that get lost in the dark. Shorter posts work well for paths and small alcoves.

Important considerations:

Number of lights: To figure out how many post lights you need, take note of the diameter that the light encompasses around the post. Then set your next fixture outside of that space. The height of the fixture will help you determine the proper placement while the function of the light will let you know if it’s in the right place. Doing so will help prevent the yard from looking like an airplane runway. If possible, try placing the fixtures on either side of the path, working back and forth to create an effective and inviting entry.

Path Lighting

Path lights are a basic outdoor fixture all yards should have. Similar to post lights in that they create light markers that run down a line, path lights are shorter and smaller in comparison. Path lights easily improve curb appeal and, of course, make walking along paths safer.

Important considerations:

Size: When choosing your path lights, take height into consideration. For a nice, even glow, path lights should be installed about 14-inches high.

Scale: In terms of the borders, your paths should be within 1 foot from the sides of the walkway/pathway. Again, take note of the diameter of the light around the fixture itself and install your lights outside of these areas to avoid overcrowding.

Materials: Your path lights should be sturdy and made from materials that resist corrosion and wear. Powder-coated finishes have long-term resistance to the outdoor elements while soda lime glass stays tough throughout the seasons. LED path lights are highly suggested, as they keep costs low with reduced power consumption and burn cool with options in color temperature. Find one that will enhance the visual appearance of the exterior of your home.

Other Landscape Accent Lights

Deck and Step Lights

Used as an accent to architectural details and add safe passage to dark stairs, deck and step lights are installed directly into a yard’s hardscape or decking. They can also be used for washing light down stone walls and lighting up entertainment spaces.

Pond Light

Similar to the spotlight, but made to be submerged in water to add real drama to outdoor water features.

Hardscape Lights

Hardscape lights are a newer addition to landscape lighting, thanks to LED technology. These are tiny lights with brackets or flanges that install onto or into structures that are used to wash and graze walls with light.

How to Light a Landscape

Don’t feel overwhelmed—there are a lot of types of lights and several spaces to place them. One of the best things that you can do to scope out your own project is to grab a good, high-powered flashlight with a dimming optic and get out into your yard at night. Then, play with the light. See what looks cool, or what might not work as well.

Here’s a look at the various landscape lighting effects you might want to try:

Up Lighting

Used as an accent to architectural details and add safe passage to dark stairs, deck and step lights are installed directly into a yard’s hardscape or decking.

Up lighting is one of the most basic forms of landscape lighting. It is used to create drama with a taller structure or tree. You can choose to highlight the trunk of larger trees, or the underside of the tree’s canopy on larger or smaller trees.

Use with: Spotlights, Well Lights

Silhouetting

This is a fantastic effect for highlighting dramatic shapes you might have hiding in plain daylight. Place the light source behind the item, and light toward where the main vantage point will be, making sure that the light source itself cannot be seen.

Use With: Spotlights, Well Lights

Shadowing

This is the reverse technique of silhouetting. Placing the light between the main vantage point and the item being lit, with the light source aimed at the item. This only works when you have a wall or flat surface behind the item being lit to catch the shadows created. But it can create a bit softer, more moody effect.

Use with: Spotlights, Well Lights, Flood lights

Moon Lighting

(Photo via Kichler Lighting)

This is an especially effective way of using lighting when you have larger trees in your space. The light source is placed high up in the tree aimed down, washing the branches and ground below in light. It creates an impressive effect when used with an open-branched tree.

Use with: Spotlights

Have an extra-large tree that deserves a special treatment? Giants, especially evergreens, can look amazing when you double-team them with lighting. Get both a spotlighting and a moonlighting effect by placing two spotlights half- to three-quarters of the way up the tree. Aiming one light up and one light down will create a dramatic effect, and the year-round foliage will hide the light sources.

Grazing

This can be a great option if you have a hardscape-heavy yard. Grazing involves placing the light close to the flat surface and aiming directly up or down the surface to create dramatic light and shadow play. You can graze up or down, but the idea is to take advantage of a texture across a flat plane, so uneven or irregular patterns work best. This can add an upscale touch, as it is often seen in hotel and restaurant design.

Use with: Well Lights, Hardscape Lights

Washing

Photo via Hinkley Lighting

Sometimes a space will need more ambient lighting. To create a well-lit space, try flooding a large wall or hedge in an entertainment area with light, which will “wash” the space with light. Use a wide-beamed light placed between the main vantage point and the surface to cast an even, gentle light over the whole area.

Use with: Flood Lights

Technical Tips

Lumen output for landscape lighting can be subjective—it depends on how brightly you wish to illuminate any particular element. Look for fixtures with adjustable lumen output, so you can control the brightness yourself.

LED lighting is the new standard for landscapes, with lower operating costs and longevity that can’t be beat. Plus, new LED lights have features you will want to take advantage of, like adjustable beam spread.

And don’t forget the color temperature. The best lighting for your landscaping should be in the same color family as the objects you’re lighting up: Use warmer light on oak trees and brown siding, while cooler colors like those found on pine trees or dark gray exterior stone play better with a more neutral color temperature. Very cool whites (4000-5000K) are best suited to ultramodern or commercial landscape projects. See our guide to color temperatures for more.

How Many Lumens to Uplight a Tree?

Your lumen output will depend on the height of your trees. This is important because too high of output could cause a tree to look blown out and too low of output could prevent the viewer from seeing the tree’s details. We suggest following these guidelines:

For smaller trees up to 1 story or 6-10 feet, opt for 80-120 lumens. This level is the lowest lumen level and also works great for bushes and shrubs.

For medium-sized trees up to 2 stories, go with 140-180 lumens.

Larger trees up to 3 stories require 230-270 lumens.

And finally, tall trees up to 4 stories or 50-80 feet tall will benefit from a 350-1000 lumen output.

Now you have the basics to go forth and lay out your own landscape design. It is important to note that you should consult with a professional when laying out your landscaping plan so they can ensure you’re working with the right voltage for your transformer and other important details.

The key is to take your time. And you can start small and build from there—an over-lit space can be as uncomfortable or unusable as a completely dark one.

There are many ways to light your landscape, but the fun is in creating a unique look that reflects your own personal taste and lifestyle.

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28 Stunning DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas ( & So Easy! )

28 Stunning DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas ( & So Easy! )

If you are an outdoor lover like me, you will most likely be inspired by many of these enchanting yet super easy DIY outdoor lighting ideas for patios, porches, backyard parties, and more!

Outdoor lights are one of my favorite things ever: they create the perfect outdoor space settings for dinners with loved ones and happy moments under the stars.

Most of these DIY outdoor lighting ideas take less than 1 hour to make, using very simple and easy to find materials. See how you can incorporate anything from string lights, solar lights, mason jars and tin cans to create beautiful backyard patio lighting and porch lighting easily!

Update: here’s part 2 of our outdoor lighting series focusing on outdoor light fixtures and landscape lighting design ideas!

Here’s a slideshow of some of the lights we will be exploring!

* Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here .

DIY outdoor lighting ideas for patios and walkways

These beautiful outdoor string lights / globe lights are perfect for patio lighting and backyard party lighting! You can attach them to exterior walls, eaves, or tree branches. You can also place wooden poles or branches in planters or buckets of sand, or make a few permanent poles set in concrete to hang these outdoor lights. ( Source 1 | 2 )

You can also use a metal bucket filled with concrete to create poles for outdoor patio lights like in tutorial above. Line the bucket with plastic of you want to keep them clean to reuse for other things.

Backyard lighting with mason jar oil candles

These easy DIY lanterns make great patio or porch lights outdoors, or as decorative ambiance lighting for a backyard party! Add botanical clippings, water, and a little bit of vegetable oil to a mason jar, now we have an instant oil candle! You can also add essential oils to repel mosquitoes. Easy enough, right? The magic wick is the secret. Tutorial here.

Easy DIY solar Outdoor lighting ideas, aka DIY Sun Jars!

Want landscape lighting without all the work? Low-voltage solar outdoor lights are really easy to set up along a pathway or driveway! First you will need solar mason jar lid inserts or hack a few solar path lights.

Glue or tape them to the inside of a glass jar, and let the sun do its work.

It is easy to add colors or patterns. If you want to tint mason jars or other glass jars, add 9 drops of food coloring and 1 teaspoon water to every tablespoon of Mod Podge or other good quality craft glue , mix and coat the inside of each jar. Bake at 200 Fahrenheit for 1 hour.

The pretty decoupaged jars were sold at this Etsy shop. You can also make yours by brushing Mod Podge or other good quality craft glue and pieces of tissue paper on the interiors of glass jars.

Magical backyard lighting with tea lights.

Waterproof tea candles floating in a water-filled birdbath makes you feel like being in a tropical resort. Place some LED tea lights inside these easy-to-make paper lanterns, now we have an enchanting walkway through the garden . ( Source 7 | 8 ) .

Beautiful DIY garden path lights.

These awesome DIY landscape ligting tutorials will show you how to make gorgeous outdoor pathway lights, deck lights, or tiki torches from cedar wood and solar rechargeable battery, glass bottles, plastic bottles, or even a tuna can!

Up-cycled tin can outdoor patio lights.

You can use recycled materials to create a lovely ambiance. Fill a tin can with water, freeze it, and punch a design using a hammer and nail. Two great tutorials at Design Sponge and Grow Creative.

Classic and timeless: outdoor lanterns and chandeliers

Few can resist the charm of light fixtures such as classic chandeliers and lanterns. The chandelier gets a makeover with solar lights. The wood lanterns made by Marie look gorgeous as porch lights or patio lights in any season.

Creative outdoor lighting ideas for wall and fence

Jen will show us how to make a chic marquee letter with wood and string lights / globe lights.

Another great outdoor lighting idea for the wall is to transform dollar store baskets into hanging lamps!

Paper lanterns beautiful enough for weddings.

Got paper, glass or plastic bottles? Tutorials and free templates : Dandelion paper lanterns, paper lanterns with colored glow, and Peony paper lanterns here.

Enchanting mason jar hanging lights

Perfect porch lights! Beth at Unskinny Boppy created this gorgeous rustic Ladder chandelier. I could see it made with pallets too!

The DIY mason jar hanging wall light from All Things Heart and Home can be made easily with Christmas lights. A lovely way to light up a porch, patio or deck.

Related: How to make hanging mason jar lanterns easily using wire hangers!

Magical glowing orbs and spheres with LED and string lights.

These would look so beautiful as backyard lights! Can you believe these orb garden lights are made from opaque glass shades?

Fairy light spheres can be made from grapevines such as in this tutorial.

Materials beyond paper, wood and metal…

Outdoor lights can also be made with unconventional materials such as wax, or ice. The translucent quality adds a sense of mystery and enchantment.

All three tutorials can be found here: 20 Magical Lanterns and Luminaries.

I am definitely going to play with some of these projects. How about you?

One more lighting DIY you may like: wouldn’t this make the perfect covered patio light?- DIY Faux Mexican Tin Star Lantern

Happy creating! See you soon!