Garden Outdoor Lighting Ideas For Your Little Paradise

Lamps for the garden are surely not among the priorities when designing your dream home. However, as opposed to indoor lamps, outdoor ones are very easy to plan and install later on. You don’t need to demolish any walls or alter any existing scheme to add outdoor lighting to your home. All you need to do is a little research on what types of outdoor lamps there are. Here are some lighting guidelines for a stunning garden.

The first thing you need is orientation light to guide you from the courtyard entrance to the front door of your home. It is a practical aspect, but you do not have to resort to impersonal, industrial type lighting. There are many lamp models that can attribute your garden just as much personality as designer lamps in your living room.

by James Martin Associates / Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan

by Rugo/ Raff Ltd. Architects / Photo by Charlie Mayer.

For the orientation light that accompanies you to the front door, you can pick bollard lamps, which are usually up to 1 meter high and are built on the ground. If you want a special design, you have to make a bit of specialized research, since most providers supply standard, kind of industrial bollard lamps. But trust me, there are vivid and beautiful options to find. Or if you prefer vintage, you can also go with torchiere-style lamps from wrought iron.

Garden Alley Lighting

If your alley through the garden is close to the house, like in most cases, you can accompany the walk with wall appliqués or wall lamps built on the house wall. There are many options to use here, from more classical lamps with lampshades to very minimalistic and modern wall appliqués with simple and attractive geometries.

You can also combine a bollard light, serving as actual orientation light with rather decorative wall appliqués with up- and downlight, which only cast their shine effect upon the wall surface.

Patio Lighting

These wall lamps are also effective on an outdoor terrace, for your patio. If you have an ‘outdoor living room’ kind of terrace, you can use a sturdy pendant lamp over the table, which does not need to be waterproof if you have a cover for this area (for instance under a balcony). Standing floor lamps, which have dimmers, are also appropriate in this area meant for conversation and relaxation.

by John Kraemer & Sons/ Photography: Scott Amundson

by Pedersen Associates / Barbara Ries Photography

The Glowing Pond / Pool

If your garden includes a small pond, you can install small bollard lamps on the shore, or, even better, ball-or blob shaped lamps that lie directly on the ground, like glowing rocks. All the lamps used in this area have to be waterproof. Some companies have also designed floating lamps for garden ponds, in various shapes. They are very special accessories you’re your garden and create a beautiful, dreamy atmosphere.

by COLECCION ALEXANDRA / Photo by:

by Grant and Power Landscaping / Photo By Linda Oyama Bryan

Flower Lights

Small floor lamps are also suited among your flower arrangements, in the shapes of glowing rocks or long, flexible, glowing LED-tubes.

Last but not least, if you have trees in your garden, install Japanese-style pendant lamps or round pendant lamps to hang from the branches for a festive and magical garden.

by Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech

by Exteriors By Chad Robert

Outdoor Lighting, Patio Lights & Garden Lights

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All the Outdoor Lights You Need to Illuminate Your Backyard Dinner Table

Have a backyard, a driveway, or a tiny deck that fits only you standing sideways? It’s outdoor space all the same—and to make the most of it, you must create a lighting scenario that allows you to eat your alfresco dinner in full view, with plenty of ambiance, even as the days grow shorter.

Of course, there are pendant lamps and wall sconces that can be installed—but for anyone looking for a less expensive solution that won’t require a weekend project or an electrician, there are string lights, lanterns, and votives.

Ideally, your outdoor space will have more than one light fixture. By adding differing heights and intensities in your lighting setup, you can create an outdoor area that feels like a cozy room rather than a glaring streetlights-that-attract-moths feel. String lights or a few hanging lanterns, coupled with votives, a single candle, or a portable tabletop light, should do the trick. If you do go for bulbs, consider a warm white color between 2,000–3,000 kelvin: That’s just the right temperature for a relaxed, just-bright-enough light.

String Lights

String lights are just about the easiest way to make your little bit of outdoor space feel personal and inviting. A classic set of tiny bulbs might be all you need, but string lights have come a long way from their original dorm-room aesthetic. If you’re after something softer, consider a whimsical, spindly version from Terrain, below.

Terrain Stargazer Climbing Vine Lights, 15 Feet $138 at Terrain

Hanging Pendants and Lanterns

If string lights aren’t quite bright enough (or you want to pair them with something else) consider a hanging lantern or pendant light. One dangling from a tree, hook, or trellis will create a focal point in your outdoor living room and give you enough light for dinner outside.

Terrain Stargazer Northstar Pendant Light $34 at Terrain

Tea Lights

For the tabletop or around the perimeter of your patio or deck (away from anything flammable, please), little votive lights contribute just the right bit of twinkle. Beeswax candles will add a little sweetness without an overpowering perfumy scent—plus, their golden glow is prettier than that of the standard white wax candle.

Terracotta Tea Light Holders, Set of 3 $28 at Etsy

Beech Tea Light Holders, Set of 4 $12 at Etsy

Big Dipper Wax Works Pure Beeswax Tea Lights, Set of 16 $22 at Amazon

Tabletop Lanterns and Lights

These outdoor lights are the centerpieces of your backyard meal. There’s a lantern or lamp for everyone, including a striking cement oil lamp for the modernist. For the flame-averse (or those with little kids), look to Menu’s portable LED light: Its warm glow is plenty to light up the table without being harsh, and you can easily move it around the yard or deck as needed.