Good garden lighting transforms an outdoor space from something you look at during the day into something you can enjoy well into the evening. Whether you want a dramatic, theatrical effect or a soft, romantic glow, there is a lighting approach that will work for your garden. Here are 35 of our favourite garden lighting ideas, from the simple to the spectacular.
String Lights and Festoon Lights
1. Festoon lights across a pergola — the classic choice for a reason. Warm-white festoon lights strung across a pergola or between two posts create an instantly magical atmosphere.
2. Fairy lights in a tree — wrap warm-white fairy lights around the trunk and main branches of a garden tree for a year-round focal point.
3. String lights along a fence — a simple and affordable way to add warmth and definition to a garden boundary.
4. Festoon lights over a dining area — create an outdoor dining room feel by suspending festoon lights directly above your garden table.
5. Solar string lights in planters — wind solar string lights through large planters for a soft, twinkling effect that requires no wiring.
Path and Ground Lighting
6. Solar path lights — line a garden path with solar-powered stake lights for a practical and attractive solution that charges itself during the day.
7. LED deck lights — recessed LED lights set into decking boards create a sleek, contemporary look and improve safety on steps and edges.
8. Ground-level spotlights — low-level spotlights set into the ground and angled upwards create dramatic uplighting effects on plants and structures.
9. Gravel path lanterns — place a row of simple metal lanterns along a gravel path for a classic, cottage-garden look.
10. Step lights — LED lights set into garden steps are both practical and stylish, particularly in a contemporary garden design.
Uplighting and Spotlights
11. Uplighting a feature tree — a single well-placed spotlight directed upwards into the canopy of a feature tree creates a stunning focal point.
12. Uplighting architectural plants — use spotlights to highlight the dramatic forms of architectural plants such as phormiums, agaves, or bamboo.
13. Wall-mounted spotlights — directional spotlights mounted on a garden wall can be used to highlight planting, sculptures, or water features.
14. Colour-changing spotlights — RGB spotlights allow you to change the colour of your garden lighting to suit different occasions and moods.
15. Underwater pond lights — submersible LED lights in a garden pond create a magical, reflective effect after dark.
Lanterns and Candles
16. Cluster of lanterns — group three or five lanterns of varying heights on a patio table or beside a seating area for an atmospheric, layered effect.
17. Hanging lanterns — suspend lanterns from a pergola or tree branch at different heights for a bohemian, eclectic look.
18. Moroccan-style lanterns — pierced metal lanterns cast beautiful patterned shadows and add an exotic, decorative quality to an outdoor space.
19. LED candles in lanterns — use flickering LED candles inside lanterns for a safe, wind-proof alternative to real candles.
20. Church candles on a table — for outdoor dining, a group of tall church candles in simple holders creates an elegant, intimate atmosphere.
Wall and Fence Lighting
21. Wall-mounted lanterns — traditional or contemporary wall lanterns on either side of a back door frame the entrance and provide practical light.
22. LED strip lights on a fence — warm-white LED strip lights fixed to the top of a fence panel create a soft, ambient glow along the boundary.
23. Projector lights on a wall — a garden projector light can cast patterns such as stars, leaves, or geometric shapes onto a plain wall or fence.
24. Solar fence post lights — solar-powered lights that sit on top of fence posts are an easy, no-wiring solution for boundary lighting.
25. Recessed wall lights — low-level lights recessed into a garden wall create a sleek, architectural effect and provide gentle ambient light.
Feature and Accent Lighting
26. Fire pit — a garden fire pit provides both warmth and a beautiful, flickering light source that creates an instant focal point.
27. Outdoor floor lamp — a weather-resistant floor lamp beside an outdoor sofa creates a living-room-like atmosphere on a covered patio.
28. Illuminated planters — planters with built-in LED lighting look striking after dark and are available in a range of contemporary designs.
29. Lit water feature — a water feature with integrated lighting creates a beautiful, dynamic focal point in an evening garden.
30. Neon signs — a weather-resistant LED neon sign with a simple word or shape adds a playful, contemporary touch to a garden wall or fence.
Practical and Security Lighting
31. Motion sensor lights — practical and energy-efficient, motion sensor lights provide security lighting that activates only when needed.
32. Solar security lights — solar-powered security lights require no wiring and are ideal for illuminating dark corners of the garden.
33. Smart garden lights — app-controlled smart lights allow you to set schedules, adjust brightness, and change colours from your phone.
34. Dusk-to-dawn lights — lights with built-in photocells that switch on at dusk and off at dawn provide effortless, automatic garden lighting.
35. Solar bollard lights — solar-powered bollard lights are a stylish and practical solution for illuminating paths, driveways, and garden borders.
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