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Choosing the right outdoor lighting is an important tool for making your house look warm and inviting after dark as well as illuminating your property to make it more secure.
Outdoor lighting is an important aspect of yard and garden design. The right fixtures or features can add ambiance, while also providing functional lighting for use and safety purposes. It can illuminate walkways, outdoor dining rooms, patios, and shade structures like pergolas and arbors.
Get inspired with these top outdoor lighting ideas.
What to Consider Before Installing Outdoor Lights
First, assess features in your yard to emphasize with lights. For example, the swimming pool area,spa, and steps are key zones to illuminate for safety purposes. Also, consider highlighting plants, architectural features, and outdoor rooms. In some areas, you might want to add uplighting while in other areas you might be aiming to silhouette shapes. Purpose will dictate what type of fixture you need.
Before choosing lights, contact your area's building department for any local codes that dictate lighting types or levels. Once you know the kinds of lights you can install, play around with light strands or clip-on lamps in different areas of your yard, positioning them at variouslevels to see how the lighting looks in the space.
Rememberto practice basic outdoor lighting safety precautions, such as making sure to exclusively use outdoor bulbs outside, and being mindful of electrical safety when water is present.
Outdoor Lighting Ideas
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Rattan Lanterns
Rattan is a trending choice for outdoor decor and it also makes a great option for outdoor lighting. Globe-shaped lanterns in various sizes provide visual interest and ambient light.
Be sure to check the durability of the materials you choose. True rattan may not weather well in wet conditions, while options made from resin will offer better durability.
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Patio Lighting
Give a petite space bright lights with a string of small bulbs. You can opt for neat rows or crisscross the strings of light for a more eclectic vibe. The intensity of illumination is determined by the bulbs you choose and the number of lights you use.
Go with fewer string lights for a softer glow or add more rows of bulbs for better visibility while spending an evening on the patio.
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Privacy Fence Lighting
Give your privacy fence a glow-up by hanging individual string lights. This look doesn't require symmetry or perfect placement, and it works well whether you hang the lights vertically or horizontally. For easy ambiance, use lights with a dusk-to-dawn timer.
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Doors and Windows Lighting
If you want to set your home aglow, use string lights or flexible LED light tubing to outline doors and windows. This idea is best suited for backyard hideouts and is an effective and easy way to jazz up your home's exterior while also softly outlining the door on a dark night as you make your way back inside from the firepit or hot tub.
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Tree Lighting
If you're searching for a good spot to hang string lights, sometimes all you have to do is look up. String lights in trees can turn dark or shadowy areas of your yard and garden into an illuminated oasis, ready for dining, socializing, or peaceful reflection.
Choose solar or battery-powered string lights if you don't have access to a nearby electrical outlet.
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Plant Lighting
For potted trees or plants, use a stake light to provide spotlight illumination. Aside from providing a focal point (even at night), the light source highlights the foliage.
You can either use several small solar lights to create a halo of light around the plant or a single light source to backlight a larger plant, as seen in this backyard design from Lady Landscape.
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Paper Lanterns
As an alternative to the soft ambiance of string lights, consider hanging paper lanterns instead. Use lights of varying diameters to add illumination and visual interest.
Keep in mind, though, that the lanterns aren't weather-proof, so expect to hang them ahead of your special event and pack them for safe storage once the occasion is over.
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Layered Lighting
Indoors or outdoors, using a variety of lighting layers can add dimension and versatility to your space. This pergola combines string lights for ambiance with an overhead fixture for a more direct beam of light.
Use just one or both light sources, depending on the mood and festivities underway. For the best effect, remember to match the color temperature of all fixture light bulbs.
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Wall Sconces
Wall sconces provide illumination and decor in one attractive package, and are a great choice for outdoor lighting on feature walls.
Many options provide soft background light but if you want more illumination, look for cylinder lights that cast upward and downward beams of light, as seen in this photo from Lucide Lighting.
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Patio Lanterns
Outdoor lighting doesn't always come from above. Ground lanterns, as seen here in a modern square shape, can be placed wherever you need them around patios, pools, and other outdoor seating areas.
The soft glow harmonizes with the light fixtures used to provide illumination in the covered patio, giving the entire pool area a cohesive lighting plan with enough illumination for any activity.
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Pergola Lighting
Pergolas provide welcome shade during the day, but adding outdoor lighting kicks up the ambiance at night. String lights and hanging pendants both make popular picks for pergola lighting.
Don't be afraid to mix and match lighting styles to achieve the right lighting effect for your space.
If you choose hanging lights, as seen in this space from Upstyle Your Home, it's usually best to center them over your seating arrangement for light distribution and design balance.
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Path Lighting
Don't overlook the importance of path lighting. A welcome greeting to visitors and a practical safety measure, use outdoor lights at regular intervals along walkways to help guide the way. Solar lights are often a go-to choice since they require no battery replacement and will turn on at dusk.
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Lantern Posts
Pathway lighting can come in a variety of forms, but the post-and-lantern option seen here harmonizes with the wooden handrail on the other side of the path. The glow of the lanterns leads the eye up the pathway, while lighting the steps. Opt for solar-powered lanterns if you're looking for an alternative to hardwired outdoor lighting options.
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Statement Lights
Two large globe lights break the mold of traditional house lighting fixtures. The orbs illuminate the space by night while providing visual contrast to the more rectangular features of this house by day.
When choosing porch lighting fixtures, think about the functional features of the lights you choose without overlooking the opportunity to make a statement right at the front door of your home.
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Wraparound Porch Lighting
Recessed can lights lend a soft, inviting glow on a wraparound porch. This Craftsman-style home has abundant windows and cedar plank siding that add charm but leaves little space for wall-mounted fixtures making the cans a practical and aesthetically pleasing option.
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Front Door Lighting
A well-lit front door is practical for safety reasons, but also gives your home a welcoming look. By using a pair of lighting fixtures on either side of the door, you double the illumination, which can be helpful as you search for your keys or greet guests at night.
Give attention to the size and scale of the light fixtures you choose. Don't overwhelm or crowd the doorway, but don't underwhelm the area with too little light from undersized fixtures.
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Recessed Path Lighting
The recessed lights of this wooden entryway preserve the modern aesthetic of this home while highlighting the edge of the path for safety. This option can be built into walkways of various materials, but recessed walkway lights are most popular and practical for wooden and stone entryways.
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Pendant Light
A pendant light outdoors can serve the same function as a well-placed indoor fixture, providing illumination and eye-catching decor. A great application for this outdoor lighting idea is to use it over a patio set. By day or by night, the hanging light serves as a focal point for a cozy conversation corner.
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Light Canopy
Even without a pergola or gazebo, you can set the stage for your outdoor seating area with a canopy of string lights. The easiest way to achieve the effect is to use a net of string lights, but you can also use individual strings of light to achieve the same look. It gives the effect of a covered seating area using illumination, but doesn't require the installation of a permanent structure.
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Illuminated Front Steps
This outdoor lighting idea uses a variety of LED light sources to make this walkway glow. The steps are easy to navigate, thanks to wall-mounted light sources and stake lights further up the path. The upward-facing spotlights, built into the pathway, illuminate the landing area while highlighting the texture and form of the feature wall.
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Outdoor Dining Room Lights
Dining on the deck or patio is one of life's simple pleasures, but if you don't want to dine in the dark, you'll need to install a light source for use after the sun goes down. This contemporary home features a pair of hanging light fixtures that provide plenty of illumination over the table and seating arrangements.
Lighting for outdoor dining serves a practical purpose but can also add ambiance to the area and enhance the feeling of a true outdoor living space. Be sure to choose fixtures that are damp or wet-rated for safety and longevity, since lights in outdoor areas will be exposed to moisture and precipitation.
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Cozy Candlelight
If you don't have the know-how or budget for hardwired outdoor lighting, you can still light up your patio or deck with candlelight. Romantic and chic, battery-operated candles give you that gorgeous glow, without worries over melting wax or fire hazards.
Make this look more effective and attractive by using plenty of candles in various sizes and placing them at different heights in your outdoor space, including on the ground and tables or other outdoor fixtures.
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Under-Eaves Lighting
Adding lights underneath the eaves of a roof is another unique option for outdoor lighting. This villa has can lights that illuminate in both directions, though the top beam of light is amplified to draw the eye upward.
When deciding where to place under-eave lighting, pay attention to architectural details and functional features. On this tropical villa, the lights are placed on either side of the door walls and along the side of the home for full illumination around the perimeter.
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Bulb String Lights
Sun shades are usually designed with the day in mind, but when illuminated from underneath, they give off an attractive glow. In this hot tub oasis, the sunshade is lit from below with string lights, adding to the privacy and ambiance of this outdoor space.
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Feature Lighting
For homes with unique architectural features, like cut-outs and recessed areas, consider designing your outdoor lighting to highlight these architectural details. In this example, the stone wall seems lit from within, providing plenty of light underneath the portico and up the stairs.
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Fence Illumination
You can illuminate the borders of your backyard with fence lighting. These LED lights spaced at measured intervals along the privacy fence cast a glow on the fence above and garden bed below. Use them to softly illuminate your landscaping and provide a visual identifier of the fence line.
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Fence-Mounted Lights
Light up your yard or pool area with fence spotlights. Unlike stake lighting which lights up the area from below, mounting lights on your fence provides downward directional illumination. Evenly space the lights for centered beams of light along the perimeter of your area.
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Summer Party Lights
Outdoor lighting is a key element of backyard bashes, but your party lights don't need to be limited to tabletop options or tiki torches. Instead, use battery-powered LED string lights inside of mason jars for a firefly-like glow. Affix the battery pack to the lid of the jar and hang it from trees or hooks around the party area.
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Pathway Lanterns
Stepping stones lead the way across a yard or garden, but can quickly blend into the surroundings under dark or shadowy conditions. Cast illumination on your path with a series of ground lanterns.
Using battery-operated or solar-powered lights eliminates the need for hardwiring or permanent installation. In this example, the lanterns are staggered on either side of the path and nearby illumination from tree spotlights gives the area added brightness.
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Layered Patio Lighting
If you have a large backyard, be sure to layer the lighting so that each area is well-lit and the outdoor space has a balanced feel. Brophy Interiors lit the exterior of this large Southern California home with a variety of lighting sources. The large semi-covered back patio is illuminated with integrated string lights in the wood-clad ceiling.
The steps leading to the backyard have integrated lighting for safety purposes, and the planters that run the width of the patio below are illuminated with landscape lighting.
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Oversized Pendant Light
Hang an oversized pendant light from a mature tree to create a cozy feel on a backyard deck, like this space from Desiree Burns Interiors. The large woven pendant light anchors the dining table and complements the wire chairs to create an indoor-outdoor feel.
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Outdoor Floor Lamp
Create an al fresco living room feel on your backyard patio with an outdoor floor lamp. This space from Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design includes a metal and rattan floor lamp with a boho-style feel that is both functional and stylish, providing ambient light for an outdoor seating area that invites relaxation.
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Backlit Glow
Give your home facade a backlit glow by using integrated uplighting and downlighting. Brophy Interiors lit the front steps, walkway, retainer wall, and facade with a mix of warm integrated lighting that softens the contemporary look of the home.
The driveway and three-car garage are lit with a mix of integrated uplight in the landscaped paving stones and integrated downlighting from above for a harmonious feel.
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Coordinating Patio Lights
Use coordinating light fixtures to give a patio a polished and cohesive feel. This outdoor patio from Emily Henderson Design is lit by farmhouse-style lanterns on the walls. An extra layer of industrial bulb string lights with a complementary look is hung beneath the slope of the roof to provide additional ambient light that makes the outdoor dining area feel inviting and ready for entertaining.
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Warm Brass Porch Lights
Choose a warm-toned metal and warm bulbs to create a welcoming glow on the front porch. Brass light fixtures complement gold-toned hardware on this front porch from Leanne Ford Interiors that adds a warm glow to the all-white facade. Woven textures and oversized bunches of dried flowers add more layers to the look.
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A-Frame Facade Lighting
Use outdoor lighting to highlight the architecture of your home facade. This A-frame cabin in the Catskills of New York from AHG Interiors is illuminated with large warm string lights that highlight the shape of the facade.
The rest of the home is illuminated with additional string lights, in-ground lights around the pathway, and smaller LED lights along the deck that wraps around the back of the house for an even glow that complements the warm light that glows from within.
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Dropped Ceiling Lights
Simple dropped ceiling lights will add a timeless feel to your covered back porch. Emily Henderson Design installed a pair of black industrial metal lights from the white painted shiplap ceiling of this back porch seating area for a rustic farmhouse feel.
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Hurricane Candle Lanterns
Modern black metal and glass hurricane candle lamps filled with pillar candles will provide an ambient glow at night while adding a sculptural decor element during the day, like this cozy outdoor deck from Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design.
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Outdoor Kitchen Lighting
Illuminate an outdoor kitchen with bright white sconce lighting that will allow you to prepare meals safely and easily after dark. This back patio grill space from Cathie Hong Interiors includes a minimalist black wall sconce with a modern look that floods the countertop with light for prepping meals.
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Sculptural Star Light
Hang a sculptural glass and metal light fixture from a wooden pergola to bring some whimsical starlight onto your outdoor space, like this Palm Springs patio from Jenn Pablo Studio.
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Indoor-Outdoor Lighting
In a modern home with large glass windows that are visible from outside, coordinate your lighting fixtures for a seamless indoor-outdoor feel. This home from Cathie Hong Interiors has simple, modern globe light fixtures on the exterior and interior that blur the lines between inside and out, creating a warm and welcoming curb appeal.
What are the types of outdoor lighting?
There are many types of outdoor lighting to illuminate spaces from the house exterior to the front porch to the front steps, walkways, patios, decks, balconies, front and back doors, and front, side, and backyards or garden landscaping, pergolas, arbors, gazebos, and sheds.
If you have a pool, lighting will include both the pool area, pool house, and the pool itself. Outdoor fixtures for a covered porch or patio include ceiling lighting and wall sconces. An open deck or balcony may be lit with a combination of wall-mounted lighting and string lights.
Other outdoor spaces might benefit from lamppost lighting, landscape lighting, LED string lights, integrated step lights if your property includes stairs, flood lights, solar lights, and more.
How do you choose a color for an outdoor light fixture?
Choose a color of light fixture that works with the color palette and style of your home exterior. Black is a classic choice that always works.But you can also consider options such as oil-rubbed bronze, copper, brass, brushed nickel, silver, stainless steel, or powder-coated metals in colors ranging from white to bold blue to yellow and red depending on your taste and aesthetics.
Is warm white or cool white better for outdoor lights?
Warm white outdoor lights will create an inviting glow that will make your home look welcoming and create an ambient glow for outdoor entertaining. Cool white outdoor lights are better for visibility and help to keep your property well-lit, safe, and secure.
Feel free to mix and match warm and cool lighting according to the outdoor location, such as warm lighting on the front porch and door and cool lighting on walkways or large yards, driveways, and spaces that you want to illuminate for safety reasons.