Guest Picks: Outdoor Lighting for Summer Nights

This time of year many of tend to spend our days preparing our outdoor spaces, and our nights enjoying the summer air. Outdoor lights, while often overlooked, can make a world of difference in creating the perfect atmosphere outside of your home. These lighting picks give you plenty of options to brighten any occasion, from large family barbecues to intimate nights with your partner on the back patio. — Jessica from Decor Adventures

Star Hanging LanternLanterns don’t have to be traditional in shape. This gold star is a bit unexpected, especially when hung from the trees or just above an outdoor table. A string of them would look good during the day and at night when lit.


Tiered Cabana Lantern, White and Gold - $39This light had me at “cabana.” Its tiered set of shades would look pretty under a porch or inside a barn. Although meant for inside, I’d use it outdoors too.


Solar Light Garden Stake, Swirl Globes - $42Of course outdoor lighting doesn’t have to look like it. These solar lights are reminiscent of watering globes and would add a swirl of color to an outdoor space.


60-Count Decorative LED String Lights, Warm White - $14.98These string lights also don’t need to be plugged in. Often called “fairy lights,” they are tiny bulbs that will be virtually invisible once you weave them inside a plant or along a fence. I plan to get some for my own outdoor space.


Smart Solar 30-Piece Solar LED String Light Set, Crystal Balls - $36.96You can even get string lights that are solar powered! These simple globe lights can go anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about finding a nearby outlet.


Garden Torches, Set of 4 - $200These stainless steel torches are sure to bring a chic quality to your outdoor life. When you light them, your guests will know the party has started! They also come in a smaller size.


Restoration Warehouse Concord Post Lantern #2Post lighting is an often-forgotten option for adding light. This fixture can simply be mounted to a pole in the yard. I’d line up several along a front path to welcome guests to my home.


Swim Time 4-Light Rechargeable LED Umbrella Light - $63.99There are so many options for lighting outside, including this rechargeable LED light for brightening things up under an outdoor umbrella. I like that it is simple and doesn’t require hiding wires under the umbrella fabric; it runs on batteries and just clips on the pole.


Anywhere Fireplace Oasis Tabletop Indoor-Outdoor Fireplace - $129.99It wouldn’t be outdoor living without a personal fire pit. This portable one allows even city dwellers to enjoy the ambience of a fire outside. I have a small backyard, and something like this would be the perfect way to add warmth and light.


Lantern Hooks, Set of 8 - $6When setting up outdoor lights, give yourself some options. These hooks could hold lanterns or mason jars with tea lights in them. Or use them to change the height of lights, or hang some from existing fixtures like shepherd’s hooks or porch railings.


Coronado Outdoor Patio Floor Lamp - $319.99Nobody says you can’t have a lamp outside — a floor lamp at that. I have one on my front porch, and it makes the space seem extra cozy at night. This one is made especially for outside and won’t fade, crack or break.


Tabletop Glass Tube Patio Heater, Stainless Steel - $158.99Get both light and heat from this portable heater that fits on a tabletop or can sit on the ground. It will take the chill out of cooler summer nights and add light anywhere you might need it.


Room Essentials Clear Globe Lights - $14.99You can’t have an outdoor summer party without pretty globe string lights! I have two sets of these; one is hung along the fence, and the other lights up the porch in the evening. They are summertime classics.


Outdoor Pillars With Timer - $9.95For safety, these flameless outdoor candles are a great option for lanterns and holders. They look very realistic and even have timers.


Tiny Lanterns, Battery Operated, Set of 12 - $35.88These battery-operated lanterns are small enough to hang in a tree or line a path along the patio. I’d like to use them on the steps of the deck and on the table, where they won’t take up much space. They can even be programmed to go off when the soiree is done.


Allen + Roth Low-Voltage LED Landscape Flood Light - $24.68One way to make an impact in an outdoor space is to light the landscape. The key is to add low-voltage spotlights like this to larger trees and plants to highlight their beauty at night. This system is relatively easy to install too.


Imperial White Solar-Powered LED Outdoor Post Cap - $54.99Last fall my husband and I put up a new deck, and I can’t wait to get some of these post lights for it! They are solar powered, so no wiring is needed, and they’re a great way to add light where you need it.


Cobalt Blue Wine Bottle Tiki Torches by Great Bottles of Fire, Set of 4 - $80These wine bottle tiki torches are a unique way to add light to your yard. I like that they can be mounted to a fence, and the bright blue adds some fun color.


Mason Jars Solar Lights by Treasure Again, Set of 4 - $75Mason jars go perfectly with summer, and these jars turned into lights are adorable. I think they’d also make a cute hostess gift for a summer party or even a wedding shower. And again, they are safe and require no batteries or wires, making them nice and easy for summer living.


Verdant Electronics Indoor-Outdoor Wireless Remote Control Kit - $9.98I can’t tell you how excited I was to find this little contraption; it’s a wireless remote for outdoor lights. Just plug the lights into the receiver, and plug that into an outlet, and you can turn any lights on and off from inside the house or anywhere in the yard. I use one of these for the holiday lights and the garden lights too.

Next: Light Up Your Night With an Easy Outdoor Table Lamp

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