25 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

It may not be noticeable during the day, but come nightfall, outdoor lighting is the pièce de résistance of your home's exterior. From decorative purposes like highlighting architecture and casting a glow around landscape features to practical purposes like increasing safety and lighting up a stairway, there are plenty of ways to improve your outdoor spaces with lighting. Keep reading for 24 budget-friendly ways to light your deck, patio or backyard.

If your great outdoors includes a pool, pond or water feature, don’t forget to take advantage of the reflective qualities of water. Adding bistro lights, rows of candle lanterns or solar-powered fixtures along the water's edges will cast a subtle light that appears to dance across the mirror-like surface. Learn more genius pool lighting ideas with our tips, below.

Decorative lanterns, vintage or new, are one of the easiest and most attractive ways to add lighting to an outdoor space. Cluster them on a dining table, group them together around the edges of the space or line them up on a wall — the possibilities are endless. The best part? You can swap out real wax candles for LED candles or even opt for solar-powered to keep things safe.

A string of twinkling lights will add a little something special to any outdoor space, but vintage-style lights with exposed filaments go the extra style mile. These Edison bulbs add a fun party attitude to decks and patios and make every night feel like an event. Vintage not your thing? There are plenty of string light styles to choose from, below.