38 Stylish Outdoor Lighting Ideas

For the backyard or front door, patio, garden or porch, find practical yet unique lighting solutions that work for you.

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By: Jacquelyn McGilvray

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A Well-Lit Landscape

A well-lit landscape should have both functional and decorative lighting. Safe navigation and security are the critical functions of outdoor lighting, but you also want lighting that accentuates your architecture and provides curb appeal. In the front and side yards, wall sconces, lanterns and pathway lights provide clear passage along walkways and leading up to doorways. Spotlights facing up or down can be used to boost your nighttime curb appeal or simply illuminate your driveway. In the backyard, lighting up your entertaining space can be done in several ways. You can spend a lot of money illuminating your decks, patios and pool or you can get a lot of the same effects with budget options and crafty DIYs.

When it comes to lighting trends, there are a lot of new tech options available for outdoor lighting beyond smart-enabled and motion-sensor security lights. Customizable color lights allow you to select a color scheme for different holidays, occasions or your favorite team. Bluetooth-enabled lights will flash to the beat of your music, and there are even floating light orbs that can be added to a swimming pool or water feature.

No matter how you illuminate the exterior of your home, make sure you’re not contributing to light pollution. Light pollution makes it impossible or nearly impossible to see the night sky in populated areas. Plus, too much artificial light can affect human health, wildlife and is a waste of energy. Many communities are implementing dark sky initiatives and codes to regulate light pollution. Dark-sky-friendly lighting is shielded (points downward) and contains minimal blue light. Blue lights brighten the sky more than any other color. The International Dark Sky Association (DSA) suggests using lighting that is warm or a lower color temperature — no more than 3,000 Kelvins (the higher the Kelvin, the bluer it is). When shopping for new lighting, look for the Dark Sky Approved seal. The DSA provides a list of manufacturers that sell dark-sky-approved products.

Find More Ideas: Landscape Lighting Trends and How to Choose What's Right for Your Yard

From: Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape

Safe and Super Stylish

Cove lighting ingeniously placed under the steps and along the elevated platforms makes it easy to navigate this multi-level yard. Glowing egg-shaped orbs add a high-end, whimsical touch to the modern space.

See More of This Backyard: Luminous Yard With Modern Art

From: Kurt Kraisinger

Lighting in Sections

Each section of this yard is illuminated in its own way for safety, style and function. Large planters with built-in LED lights illuminate the pathway along the pool. The steps up to the lounge-chair platform and dining areas are lit with small lights on the stair risers to prevent a trip hazard. The living and dining areas are set aglow with sconces while the tabletops are given extra radiance with candles and lanterns.

See More of This Backyard: Family-Friendly Backyard With Warm, Coastal Touches

From: Mom's Design Build

Rooftop Lounge Lighting

High-density structural foam was used to create this lightweight hilly yard on an urban rooftop. Delicate pin lights were installed in the synthetic turf for ambiance and style. The hilly forms were purposely shaped for comfortable seating when star gazing.

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From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Topped With Paper Lanterns

This multifunctional outdoor living room serves as a family gathering space and a meeting area for the homeowners’ clients and colleagues. Landscape architect Mark Tessier created a varied lighting scheme with traditional outdoor lighting but then added style from above and below, via a flickering fire pit and paper lanterns of various sizes hung randomly throughout the space. “After dusk, these lights cast a warm, inviting glow festive for simple or elegant gatherings any time of the year,” says Tessier.

Fine More Ideas: 60 Gorgeous Fire Pit Ideas and DIYs

Texture Meets Contrast

We love how biophilic elements like the driftwood, decorative cork orbs and basket lanterns are the accents in this ultra-mod outdoor space. "For exterior [lighting] choices, we always keep durability in mind and concept around a style that fits the architecture of the house," says designer Martin Kobus. "We were drawn to these pendants for their textural element that creates a beautiful reflection," Martin says. "We were also really drawn to the baskets, which naturally lent a warm light to the atmosphere. The scale was also a major consideration — these pendants are large, but their unusual shape complemented the space."

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From: Martin Kobus

Moroccan + Traditional

Moroccan-style pendant lights of varying shapes and sizes cast a gorgeous, patterned glow across this inviting covered entry. The exotic touch of these lanterns lends a gorgeous contrast to an otherwise traditional setting.

Find More Ideas: 59 Inviting Colors to Paint a Front Door

From: Mom's Design Build

Quaint + Cozy

For this cozy urban patio, wall spotlights paired with overhead string lights turn this petite space into an enchanting hideaway. The lighting emphasizes the brick, planters and vegetation, and it provides the perfect backdrop for entertaining a crowd or a quiet dinner for two.

Find More Ideas: 50 Patio Ideas and Design Tips

Elegant Boho Deck

Wicker pendant lights were incorporated into the construction of this handsome shade pergola. The natural wicker pairs beautifully with the flowing sheer curtains, crisp white furniture and rattan barstools. See more of this yard in the next slide.

Find More Ideas: 36 Backyard Pergola and Gazebo Design Ideas

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Task Lighting for the Grill

The built-in grilling station is incorporated into this deck's clean, coastal look. A trio of galvanized sconces integrated right into the fence makes late-night cooking an easy task.

Fine More Ideas: Outdoor Lighting Options and Design Ideas for Your Backyard

From: Living Gardens Landscape Design

Covered Patio Lighting

Having a covered outdoor dining space to entertain family and friends is a luxury. This sweet space is filled with weather-friendly furniture and accessories including the lighting. A trio of galvanized bucket pendants illuminates the dining table while a pair of sconces light the doorway.

See More of This Home: Colorful Patio and Firepit Invites Guests to Relax

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Highlight the Trees

This posh Palm Springs backyard is cleverly lit up in several different ways. The symmetrically planted palm trees are outfitted with spotlights highlighting their canopies as well as illuminating the adjacent pathways. Strategically placed stake lights and candle lanterns help illuminate the various lounge areas and landscaping.

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From: Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture

Waterproof Beach Ball Lights

The infinity-edge pool in this contemporary Tucson backyard is illuminated with unique floating orb lights. During the day these trendy lights look like pool toys, but in the evening they give off a warm glow making night swims more interesting.

See More of This Home: Stunning Structures: Contemporary Desert Retreat Anticipates Every Need

Symmetry + Scale

For this transitional home with coastal-cottage flair, stunning lanterns evoke the past but are very much of the moment. "One thing we always insist on is using 20-25 watt incandescent clear bulbs," says designer Laurie Keene of DiMauro Architects. "We like using fixtures that have a heftiness and scale to them. By using fixtures that are over-scaled, human nature takes over. We actually relate better to the structure, and it becomes more welcoming."

See More of This Home: Waterside Retreats: Coastal Rhode Island Retreat

From: DiMauro Architects, Inc.

Mediterranean Covered Patio

Moorish-style pendants drape from reclaimed barn timbers for a hint of glam and whimsy in this covered patio. The contrast of the traditional Moroccan-style lighting against the substantial stone and timber structure lends an exotic, Old World feel to this traditional space.

See More of This Backyard: Provincial-Style Pool Terrace With Water Features and Dramatic Masonry

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Umbrella Party Lights

Decorative string lighting fastened to the underside of an umbrella provides inexpensive illumination for outdoor entertaining. If you have a water feature like this darling fountain, make sure to light it up. Water reflects light and makes for a lovely glow.

Find More Ideas: The 9 Best Outdoor Patio Umbrellas for Your Backyard

From: Bob Hursthouse

Asian-Inspired Lanterns

A glass-enclosed fireplace and TV provide modern comforts in this outdoor living space. The traditional Asian-inspired lanterns hung from the pergola lend an exotic pagoda-like vibe. When considering your outdoor lighting, Alec Gunn, founder and CEO of Gunn Landscape Architecture, says, "What effect do you want to create with your lighting? Warmer yellow colors will create a cozy feel, whereas tones with a hint of blue will make the space feel more brightly lit."

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From: Gunn Landscape Architecture

Under Table Lighting

When making your outdoor lighting plan look for unusual but practical places to install lighting. In this backyard, soft lighting tucked on the underside of the built-in dining table adds just the right amount of accent lighting.

Find More Ideas: 40 Beautiful, Budget Ideas for Patios and Porches

From: Hidden Creek Landscaping

Show Off Your Garden

Strands of fairy lights are woven along the top of this mesh-enclosed, raised-bed garden. These dainty lights are a wonderful way to softly illuminate the area, showing off the beautiful plants and flowers in this unique varied-height garden.

Find More Ideas: Raised Bed Garden Design

From: Adams Interior Design

Single Globe for Style

This inviting outdoor dining space is a beautiful blend of nature and comfort. The antique-looking globe light adds practical elegance and pulls together the blue and white Mediterranean-inspired setting.

Find More Ideas: 15 Patio Covering Ideas

From: Emily Henderson

DIY Birdcage Lantern

Give your deck or patio a welcoming, exotic vibe with these birdcage lanterns painted in vibrant hues and outfitted with convenient remote-controlled LED lights.

Illuminated Staircases

For safety and style, these beautiful ipe-wood staircases are illuminated with step lights built into the risers. We love the way the lights are staggered on the wide staircase but laid in a row on the upper, narrow staircase.

Find More Ideas: Staircase Designs for Modern, Contemporary and Traditional Style Homes

From: MDLA

Illuminate Your Numbers

Simplicity is often the most elegant way to go. Case in point: This 1940s California bungalow home features a black Dutch door with chrome hardware and a glossy black sconce highlighting the house numbers.

Find More Ideas: 38 Chic Ways to Display House Numbers

From: Alexis Manfer

Rope Lights Under Railing

LED rope lighting has been around a long time and for good reason. It is versatile, inexpensive, easy to install and comes in a variety of lengths, tones and colors. Many versions are also waterproof thanks to the PVC tubing. To install rope lighting, screw simple cup hooks on the underside of railing, steps or furniture to secure them in place.

Find More Ideas: 25 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Won't Break the Bank

Old World Charm

A detailed lantern with Old World vibes hangs above this charming outdoor dining table. Milky glass panels and intricate insets add an antique air to the pendant lamp, creating soft mood lighting at night and a stunning centerpiece by day.

Get the How-To: How to Rewire a Lamp

From: LGB Interiors

Modern Farmhouse

A pair of white, modern sconces shines beautifully against the white exterior siding. The white-on-white pairing keeps the attention on the wood-plank front door and its bold black details.

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From: Prairie

Consider of Scale

When choosing exterior lighting, designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs advises, "You want to look for outdoor lighting that will scale properly with its surroundings. A front entry light or beautiful pendant over an outdoor table that doesn’t scale properly will look dinky." She suggests looking for unique shapes and finishes to make each look stand apart from the rest.

Learn More: Landscape Lighting Trends and How to Choose What's Right for Your Yard

From: Urbanology Designs

Make the Lights the Star

"We wanted authentic Southwest-style lighting for this Arizona vacation home, so we ordered the 18" and 12" tin stars from a manufacturer in Mexico and had them custom wired locally and then suspended from a metal canopy," says designer Amy (Bubier) Klosterman. "The pinholes cast great shadows, and the metal stars are sculptural and festive!"

"Make sure you meet necessary code and possible HOA requirements like UL listed and dark-sky compliant. Choose fixtures that can withstand water and wind," Amy says. "Another important thing to incorporate is dimmers so that you can create soft subtle mood lighting or a bright party atmosphere."

Find More Ideas: Outdoor Lighting Options and Design Ideas for Your Backyard

From: Amy (Bubier) Klosterman

Walled String Lights

Inexpensive yet festive, this cozy courtyard twinkles with a combination of string lights and lanterns. Tacking lights to the large brick wall changes it from an eyesore to a fabulous focal point. Hanging lanterns from the tree provide ambient light to illuminate the entire space, while the lanterns placed along the ground help delineate the patio from the garden beds.

Find More Ideas: The Best Outdoor String Lights for Every Space

Illuminated Hot Tub

It's easy to find your way to this backyard spa thanks to its glam lighting and safely illuminated steps. The cutouts around the hot tub's base match those on the outdoor kitchen island in the next photo.

From: Paradise Restored Landscaping

Peek-a-Boo Island Lighting

This well-equipped outdoor kitchen is both stately and fanciful with its mix of heavy beams, stone pillars set against the woven light fixture and lush plantings. But the kitchen’s most striking feature is the metal-wrapped island with delicate glowing cutouts.

Find More Ideas: 75 Outdoor Kitchen Designs for Ideas and Inspiration

From: Paradise Restored Landscaping

Light + Water in a Succulent Garden

Uplighting accents the slated wood fence, ornamental plantings and succulent garden. The water feature is illuminated from underwater, casting a glow and highlighting the serene spigot.

Find More Ideas: 70 Wonderful Water Features for Any Budget

From: Studio H Landscape Architecture

Raised Lawn and Garden

To make it safe when the sun goes down, lighting was added underneath each step and around the perimeter of the grass.

See More of This Home: Curb Appeal: Midcentury Home With Courtyard

From: R Design Landscape Architecture

Connect With Light

Lighting is essential on this staggered, winding staircase that connects the lower-level fire pit to the upper-level gazebo. Lights built into the stair risers mixed with stake lights in the planting beds makes the space save and stylish.

See More of This Backyard: Inviting Patio + Outdoor Kitchen

From: Pacific Outdoor Living

Custom Porch Lights

Try to implement lighting that works with the architectural style of your home like the lanterns and sconces on this inviting porch. "These pieces were custom designed for the space to integrate into the style of the home: Georgian Revival," says designer Kristi Nelson of KMNelson Design. "The hanging lanterns [are] like the jewelry of the space and reflect and enhance the design aesthetic. The fretwork detail and the cap on the lanterns reflect the Georgian period."

Find More Ideas: Landscape Lighting Trends and How to Choose What's Right for Your Yard

From: Kristi Nelson

Modern Art Sconce

Outdoor sconce functions as contemporary art while keeping this Southern California patio brightly illuminated.

See More of This Home: Modern, Eco-Chic Los Angeles Outdoor Retreat

From: Environmental Design Studio

Dangling Wicker Globes

Woven materials set a laid-back, stylish tone in this outdoor space. Lighting comes from a trio of globe pendants. Hanging them from different heights and mixing their sizes make them pretty to look at night or day. To keep the look clean and safe, run exterior power cords down the back side of the tree toward your electrical outlet.

See More of This Backyard: Outdoor Oasis: Stylish Deck Made for Entertaining

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Glowing Front Patio

Lights bounce around this warm and inviting front patio filled with welcoming charm. A mix of lighting emphasizes each section of the entry in a practical way. Spotlights built into the stainless-steel arbor highlight the house number and vertical plant wall while lighting tucked into the gravel along the walkway creates a safe passage. For a little extra shimmer, underwater lights accentuate the bubblers.

See More of This Home: Midcentury-Inspired Curb Appeal With Sculptural Stainless Steel + Succulents

From: Exterior Worlds, Inc

A Mix of Overhead Lighting

There’s nothing like a chandelier to create an elegant dining atmosphere. But wiring for an outdoor fixture can be complicated, and exterior styles are somewhat limited. One solution is to hang a candle chandelier from the beams of a pergola or covered patio. Use battery-operated LED “candles” for easy operation. Wrap the pergola in string lights to radiate from throughout the space creating a magical canopy of light overhead.