The best outdoor lighting ideas for your outdoor space light up the beauty, security, and productivity of your home’s exterior. Whether you’re illuminating pathways, gardens, patios, or porches, the right inspiration and outdoor lighting ideas can make even the dreariest look like a little slice of paradise on earth. From solar-powered lights to wall sconces and floodlights, this type of landscape lighting is a great way to emphasize garden features or to improve visibility after dark.
Strategically placed uplights, spotlights, and other decorative fixtures highlight the architecture and bring interest to your outdoor space. Outdoor lighting ideas work to boost curb appeal and enhance the beauty of your home, and also its lasting impact on friends and guests. With a little consideration, your exterior spaces can look just as good during the day as they do at night.
Outdoor Lighting Design Ideas
- Solar path lights
- Motion sensor lights
- Wall-mounted lanterns
- LED string lights
- Deck post lights
- Floodlights for security
- Tree uplighting
- Spotlights for garden statues
- Hanging pendant lights
- Fence post solar lights
- Recessed driveway lights
- Bollard pathway lights
- Step lights for stairs
- Rock-shaped landscape lights
- Hanging fairy lights
- Pergola chandelier
- Outdoor pendant fixtures
- Strip lights along railings
- Water feature lighting
- Lanterns on patio tables
- Canopy string lights
- Color-changing LEDs
- Tiki torch lights
- Globe lights on stands
- Lighted address numbers
- Solar jar lights
- Wooden post lanterns
- Tree-mounted string lights
- Driveway arch lights
- Brick column lighting
- DIY mason jar sconces
- Hanging basket with light
- Metal sculpture with incandescent lighting inside it.
- Uplighting for the house facade
- Lighted stone pathway
- Under-ledge deck lights
- Patio step LED inserts
- Fire pit lighting ring
- Dual-head solar lamps
- Ground spotlights for plants
- Curtain lights on the wall
- LED flower pots
- Built-in light planter boxes
- Trellis lighting
- An outdoor chandelier made from salvaged wood
- Mini floodlights for bushes
- Recessed garden lighting
- Rainproof strip lights
- Industrial cage wall lights
- Hanging rope lights
- Lit wind chimes
- Reflective water bowl lights
- Artistic shadow projectors
- Floating orb garden lights
- Under-rock bed lighting
- Solar-powered garden gnomes
- Backlit address stone
- Umbrella pole LED rings
- Lit bird feeder
- Fan with outdoor light roof
- Edison bulbs hanging from the trees
- Spotlight on flagpole
- Bistro light canopy
- Wall wash LED lights
- Outdoor LED sconces
- Fenceline tube lighting
- Concrete pathway lights
- Gutter-mounted solar lamps
- A patio umbrella that has lights in it
- Under-eave perimeter lights
- Outdoor pendant cluster
- Tree-wrapped LED strands
- Waterfall accent lighting
- Hanging star-shaped lights
- Rope lighting for borders
- Bamboo solar stakes
- Artistic LED animal figures
- Fence mural lights
- Multi-height globe stands
- Solar-powered lantern pathway
- Hanging solar disks
- Upcycled bottle lamp posts
- Copper baskets hung up with LED strands
- Dimmable spotlight system
- Step marker lights
- Lighted garden trellis arch
- Floating candles in the birdbath
- Lit seating benches
- Pergola beam lighting with up/down lights
- Lanterns on Shepherd Hooks
- Hanging orb string lights
- Vintage lantern walkway
- Solar pebble lights
- floor lamp made of wall-mounted deer antlers
- Up-lit hanging planters
- Frosted glass garden stakes
- Lit house number plaque
- LED bricks for the driveway
- Garden post lights with caps
- Reflector lights for shrubs
Steps to Design Outdoor Lighting
1. Solar Path Lights
- Opt for stake-style solar lights.
- Space evenly along walkways
- Plant in Village green sun exposed areas, such as South, East OR west facing where sun comes in.
2. Motion Sensor Lights
- Choose a wide-angle LED motion light
- Mount by the doors or the garage
- Adjust sensor range and timer
3. Wall-Mounted Lanterns
- Select the “style“ that matches with outside.
- Secure to wall junction boxes
- Wire to an outdoor switch or dusk sensor
4. LED String Lights
- String Length, measurements
- Hang with weatherproof hooks
- Plug into a safe outdoor outlet
5. Deck Post Lights
- Opt for post-cap lighting or low-profile lights
- Mount onto the railing posts
- Wire to switch or solar cell
6. Floodlights for Security
- High mount walls or roofline
- Angle to cover dark zones
- Wiring to the motion detector or the time switch
7. Tree Uplighting
- Use waterproof LED uplights
- Trunk base position directed upward
- Secure and cover anchors and wires
8. Spotlights for Garden Statues
- Opt for narrow-beam LED spotlights
- Drive into the ground near the statues
- It’s possible to tilt the head to emphasise features
9. Hanging Pendant Lights
- Suspend under a favorite tree, overhang, or home.Hang from a covered porch or pergola.
- Hook up through the weatherproof canopy box
- Use Edison soft-glow bulbs
10. Fence Post Solar Lights
- Choose fence-top solar caps.
- Attach to each post with screws
- Free direct sunlight charge
