Garden Lighting Ideas

Bring your outside living space to life when evenings arrive. From intimate courtyards to luscious lawns, here are some garden lighting ideas to take home that are easier to achieve than you think.

Whether it's a snug corner around a firepit, a sunny poolhouse or a Mediterranean patio, entertaining alfresco is all about creating an area that is comfortable and inviting. It doesn’t matter what style or size garden you have, you don't have to only use it in the summer months. Wave goodbye to lost lawns and forgotten terraces, the first step to achieving the look is the furniture. From there, it's all about the lighting. The best living spaces are built with layers in mind. Combining different garden lights on a few levels keeps your display looking fabulous. Festoons, fairy lights and lanterns are ideal for your trees and shrubs, candles offering beautiful table top illumination.

From pontoons to private courtyards, you can add ambience even without a power point. Line paths with festoons and team with lanterns at floor level. For use night after night, plump for outdoor battery lights with a timer function for the ultimate in low maintenance. For warmer climates then it's worth taking a peek at some solar garden lights as an even more eco-friendly option.

From enclosed courtyards, city centre balconies to tree covered vistas, it's easier than you think to create a cosy corner or the ultimate party space. The trick is to keep it simple. Layer your lights to frame your area and introduce a warm glow. Hang festoons and Chinese lanterns high, place garden lanterns on the floor and wrap fairy lights around your trellis and trees. Textiles soften up the space instantly, a few soft blankets and cushions and your new alfresco living room is complete!

Fill your skies! The best place to start with garden party lights is up high. Span strings of sparkling lights above your entertaining space, the colour of bulb you prefer is going to continue through the theme of your garden. Choose fairy lights for larger distances, they're light-weight and if you're working to a budget offer better value than others. To recreate the old school feel (seen below), then big bulb festoon lights are a firm favourite. Perfectly placed spanning courtyard patios, they can be teamed with fairy light strings and paper lanterns easily.

Whether it's a permanent fixture or popped up for a party, gazebos and pergolas are crying out to be lit up! Illuminating your garden structures can create an irresistible living space in seconds. If there is a power source nearby then definitely consider mains garden lights for complete ease of use. We'd always opt for string lights with their durable cables and extendable lengths they're ideal for wrapping or hanging. Wooden pergolas suit symmetrical lines, gazebo lights work best when hung with a soft drape. When it comes to colours, the contrast between greenery or timber tones and white hues are a match made in heaven which can’t be missed.

Pretty in pastel! While mixing patterns and colours is a fun way to add depth, working in a similar colour is more calming and looks less busy. Our favourite colour scheme for the summer party season has to be pastels, especially Pantone’s Pink Icing and Petit Four. Think pom poms, paper lanterns and picnic blankets. The soft colours compliment each other with ease and the neutral creams balance out the delicate pinks and blues. Contrasting with the rich greenery, pastel colours really pop. They are perfectly paired with warm white garden lights to create an outdoor living room effect which is always sought after. A combination of lanterns and sparkly fairy lights on all levels are ideal for illuminating your festivities whether it's a picnic or alfresco banquet!

Photo Via Peaches & Mint.