52 gorgeous garden lighting ideas (copy)
Make your garden glow all year round

Frame a filament bulb

Sometimes the simplest designs are the most striking when it comes to outdoor illumination. This sleek wall light from Dusk Lighting puts an industrial-style filament bulb centre stage; while celebrating the form of this classic vintage fixture, clean lines and a minimalist black surround make the design effortlessly contemporary and the perfect addition to a modern outside space.
Think nautical

Enjoy modern shapes

If you are looking for garden lighting with a contemporary twist these outdoor charger lanterns with teak bases and powder-coated aluminium frames will look the part. Cube-shaped with curved edging you can control the amount of light released with remote controlled LED bulbs or go more traditional by inserting a scented candle instead.
Be rustic with rope lighting

An easy garden craft idea, entwined in natural hessian rope twinkling fairy lights will create a captivating and organic garden lighting option. The solar lit rope will look just as good in daylight as it does at night in country or coastal gardens. It's ideal to wrap around trees or to fence off areas. Or, for a simple display hang around driftwood and mount on a wall.
Bring out bamboo stakes

Keep your garden tiki bar illuminated into the night by lining your lawn with Polynesian-style bamboo stake lights. These are safe solar versions with a daylight sensor so will automatically light up the party as darkness falls.
Layer up lanterns

Impress your guests at evening garden parties with a trio of firepit-style lanterns arranged at different heights. A graphite base and glass surround look contemporary while its traditional flame is enchanting. These lighthouse-style versions can hold up to eleven hours' worth of bioethanol fuel to entrance guests until dawn.
Float coloured balls

Make your garden pond or pool look magical with a floating sphere. Managed by remote control the glorious glow ball will change hues or run through a succession of colours to mesmerise and set the mood. If one is not enough numerous balls sailing slowly around your water feature will make a striking statement.
Create exotic shapes

Placed next to pathways Moroccan-style lanterns can add exotic character to your garden. LEDs create a magical firefly effect for a warming glow within that will cast enchanting shadows on garden floors that will dance in the night as the lights flicker.
Brighten up garden shrubs

Give shady shrubs and bedding plants a lift with a pretty string of LED outdoor rose lights. Mounted on the (almost invisible) wire, the flowers will look as if they are growing amongst the leafy foliage in a rainbow of colour.
Decorate steps

Create an illuminated focal point in your garden by decorating steps with an eclectic display of lanterns. Choose various lanterns and votives in different shapes, sizes and materials to reflect light or cast pretty shadows. Then, break up the display with structural cacti and succulents to finish the stylish and exotic vibe.
Hang outdoor pendant lights

Make alfresco dining a refined affair by hanging outdoor pendant lighting over the table as you would in the dining room. Whether you choose LED-lit bulbs or go for a traditional flame the focal point will create an atmospheric and ambient glow that is 'dinner party' desirable. Hang the pendants from a terrace ceiling or put up a gazebo and use the sturdy frame to suspend the lights.
Use cordless lamps

Give alfresco dining a touch of class with a cordless lamp that would not look out of place in a top hotel. The oversized statement piece will look grand as a centrepiece and cast an ambient glow over dinner. Combine with real candles sheltered in votives for that perfect indoor-outdoor balance.
Run a rope light

If you're proud of your plants and have spent hours over the summer working in your garden weeding your flowerbeds and borders, why not give them a second chance to shine over the colder months? Run a rope light along the edge to define the shape and pick out your favourite plants with spotlights. It looks even more effective with a curved border.
Update with new trends

Festoon lights have been a popular garden lighting option for a while so why not update the look with a modern twist? Wire cage lights are a hot trend indoors and make an edgy industrial statement in the garden too.
Create an illusion

We couldn't resist including this awesome illuminated water feature in our round-up. With Halloween and Christmas on their way, why not add a little bit of magic to your garden? With water streaming out of the 'floating' tap, it's a water feature and a source of ambient light in one!
Create a spellbinding canopy

A ceiling of twinkling lights can transform an outdoor patio into an alfresco fairytale wonderland. Soft yellow lights are cosy and cocooning in the outdoor space; much more appealing than blue LEDs.
Light up stairs with paper bag lanterns

Light up steps with these easy paper bag lanterns. Weigh the bags down with shingle or rice and be sure to use only LED battery-operated tealights inside. You can even have fun with a hole punch to pierce patterns in the paper that cast shadows on the path.
Wrap up a tree stump

Add a whimsical touch to your evening garden with magical twinkling trees. Choose yellow fairy lights that a glow warm tone and wrap them around the trunks of trees to create an ambient effect that's inviting and idyllic.
Stick to garden traditions

Install a touch of Victorian charm into your courtyard with a traditional lamppost. But don't worry you won't need to wait for the lamplighter at night as this one as it has up-to-date technology using solar LED superior energy efficiency. Anchor the base with a surround of pretty pots filled with classic plants to enhance the period feature.
Make room for some magic

It's that time of year where autumn colours and motifs start appearing everywhere, so why not embrace the change of season with these sweet mushroom lights. Each soft squidgy mushroom has an LED light in the tip to spread a magical glow the kids will love. Cluster them together for a woodland feature or spread them out in a line to give your garden path a sprinkle of fairy dust.
String along shepherd's hooks

Even if you don't have any way to tie your fairy lights on to a fence, you can still create a lovely path of ambient light with these rather charming shepherd's hooks. They come with a double-pronged base for added stability and can be spray painted a colour to suit your scheme.
Camouflage with rock lights

Illuminate flowerbeds inconspicuously with garden lighting that blends into its surroundings. Rock lights are designed to disguise themselves as, you've guessed it, ornamental rocks and are usually solar-powered so don't even have any giveaway wires attached.
Attach strip lighting

LED strip lighting can be cut and customised to fit almost anywhere in the garden. The light chips are attached directly onto a printed circuit board which can then be stuck onto step treads or decking to create a linear light up walkway or border.
Illuminate a dining area

Create a beautiful area in your garden perfect for alfresco dining. Use a trellis to form a garden room that you can decorate with faux foliage for instant greenery, and plant up some climbers for next year. Hang festoon lights overhead for the perfect illumination.
Pick classic glass lanterns

Choose lanterns of similar style with chrome detailing and in alternating sizes to create an impressive outdoor setting. Pop them on the decking, patio or arrange them down some steps to create a stylish display. You can use real candles as the flames will be protected by the glass or use battery-operated ones so there's absolutely no fire risk.
Hang up a glass chandelier

Go for something surprising and hang an elegant chandelier outdoors. Not something you'd expect to see in the garden, this will be a talking point for visiting friends and family. Simply hang one up on the underside of a gazebo roof, or summer house, and bring in sofas to create a cosy entertaining space.
Place candles in glass baubles

Simply pop tealights inside hanging glass orbs and string up under a garden archway for a beautiful and angelic display. Dot them around the garden by hanging them from tree branches, sturdy bushes, ornaments or garden buildings. How pretty would these look dangling from a gazebo that you can all sit underneath. Delightful!
Relax under a garden dome

Pop up a multipurpose portable dome in your garden that can be used as a conservatory, gazebo, play area or even as a hot tub cover. Light it up with hanging fairy lights for a beautiful glow that gives you a space to spend the evenings all year round, whatever the weather.
Angle a giant lamp

Pay homage to a design icon with a statement alfresco lighting piece that will certainly turn heads. This giant outdoor anglepoise lamp has all the benefits of the original arm lamp and a giant version will take centre stage when outstretched to light your outdoor space. And, once you've finished enjoying the evening, the wall-mounted task lamp is super space-saving when tucked back against a wall.
Invent a garden room

Make the terrace feel as cosy as the living room with an overhanging outdoor pendant light that echoes an indoor feature. Contemporary and luxurious the sheer size of this piece is nothing but striking and stylish. Made from steel and aluminium this lamp will withstand the winter as it has a built-in patio heater that heats a five-metre radius too.
Dine from a light up bistro table

Go for a hurricane lantern

Dot around glowing orbs

Hang a length of string lights

Go for oil lamps

Spell it out

Easy glass brick lights

Try a fire table

Create drama with spotlights

Secure external wall lights

Add twinkling topiary trees

String up bunting

A great garden upcycling idea; entertain well into the night with a string of bunting with solar-powered twinkle lights. Easy to hang up and decorate indoors and out, a garland like this is sure to add atmosphere to any occasion. A dusk-sensor turns the lights on at nightfall so you can entertain well into the evening.
Use mini table lights

Add colour with bright bulbs

Display a sculpture

Channel peace and zen into the garden with a sculpture like this Buddha light-up water fountain. Three warm LED lights create an ambient glow as the water gently bubbles in the bowl on his lap. Water features bring so much tranquillity to an outdoor space and are extra special when they light up like this. The best thing? There are so many different ones to choose from.
Play an illuminated speaker

Scatter around faux candles

Group together some candles

Light up the table and chairs

String up paper lanterns

Brighten up your seating

Create shapes

This dynamic scheme by MyLandscapes uses crisp strips of light to separate the hard surfaces from turf in this fantastic small urban garden. To get a professional look, think about mixing task lighting with ambient glowing areas and spotlights; even the curved bench is underlit to add depth and drama.
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