Set the Mood With Outdoor Lighting

Electric or battery-powered hanging bulbs can be a starting point for an original outdoor shade. Designer Jamie Durie cut the bottoms from candle holders and fitted them around basic pendant lights to create a dabbled light effect in this outdoor dining room.

Can't figure out where to start? You can't go wrong with a stainless steel pendant: It will not only blend seamlessly with most of the outdoor furniture on the market, it will also solidify an industrial-chic look. Image courtesy Knight Moves

Emily Henderson used a thrift store light fixture as a focal point for this Japanese-inspired dining area. A glass and metal light like this one will be fine outdoors in the summer months, and you can store it indoors for the winter. Get more of Emily's tips to help you create your own alfresco dining room.

In pergolas or freestanding structures where electricity may not be available, candles are your best solution. But don't just throw them on the table: With a few tweaks, turn a discarded chandelier into one powered by battery-operated candles. Image courtesy In My Own Style