Landscape Design
15 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Set the Mood for Entertaining
These creative landscape lighting designs bring atmosphere and illumination to any alfresco lounging or dining spot
An outdoor space — whether a yard, patio or deck — is high on many homeowners’ entertaining wish lists. Whether you like to have a crowd over for cocktails, a few friends for dinner or a small gathering for drinks around a fire pit, the right lighting helps extend outdoor enjoyment after sundown.
Solar-powered, battery-powered, or wired lighting, and even candlelight, can all work nicely. Choose warm white LEDs (2500 Kelvin to 3000 Kelvin) for a cozy feel, and be sure the fixtures are rated for outdoor use. It’s also worth choosing lights that are easy to switch off once the party is over, to help protect wildlife at night.
Solar-powered, battery-powered, or wired lighting, and even candlelight, can all work nicely. Choose warm white LEDs (2500 Kelvin to 3000 Kelvin) for a cozy feel, and be sure the fixtures are rated for outdoor use. It’s also worth choosing lights that are easy to switch off once the party is over, to help protect wildlife at night.
2. Create a Starry Sky
Adding outdoor string lights is a versatile way to illuminate any backyard entertaining space, whether a semiformal dining area, a cozy lounge — like this one by Thompson Construction on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota — or an informal grouping of outdoor chairs.
The lights here add a starry-sky feel to the deck. If your entertaining area is away from the house, try weaving string lights through a nearby tree’s branches for a whimsical park-like feel.
Adding outdoor string lights is a versatile way to illuminate any backyard entertaining space, whether a semiformal dining area, a cozy lounge — like this one by Thompson Construction on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota — or an informal grouping of outdoor chairs.
The lights here add a starry-sky feel to the deck. If your entertaining area is away from the house, try weaving string lights through a nearby tree’s branches for a whimsical park-like feel.
3. Embed LED Strips
Landscape designer Peter Reader created distinct dining and seating areas amid lush plantings in this London yard. LED strips embedded around the paving serve both to zone and illuminate the patios, while spotlights within the foliage create a magical glow after dark.
15 Creative Ways to Light Outdoor Steps and Pathways
Landscape designer Peter Reader created distinct dining and seating areas amid lush plantings in this London yard. LED strips embedded around the paving serve both to zone and illuminate the patios, while spotlights within the foliage create a magical glow after dark.
15 Creative Ways to Light Outdoor Steps and Pathways
4. Sling Strands Between Posts
No walls, fences or trees nearby? No problem. Rig up string lights between posts, as in this design by Lindgren Landscape in Denver. Here, the overhead lights are teamed with lanterns and a fireplace to spread the glow, but you also could wind string lights around the posts to boost the ambiance lower down.
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No walls, fences or trees nearby? No problem. Rig up string lights between posts, as in this design by Lindgren Landscape in Denver. Here, the overhead lights are teamed with lanterns and a fireplace to spread the glow, but you also could wind string lights around the posts to boost the ambiance lower down.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
5. Build a Floating Roof
This compact lounge area is an elegant, comfortable haven in a Los Angeles backyard. Along with the seating and fireplace, the key to its success is a cantilevered roof by MG Construction & Decks that shelters visitors from rain and sun. The roof creates the opportunity for stylish lighting, and a white woven pendant, flanked by two downlights to boost illumination, finishes the space.
This compact lounge area is an elegant, comfortable haven in a Los Angeles backyard. Along with the seating and fireplace, the key to its success is a cantilevered roof by MG Construction & Decks that shelters visitors from rain and sun. The roof creates the opportunity for stylish lighting, and a white woven pendant, flanked by two downlights to boost illumination, finishes the space.
6. Set Pendant Lights to the Side
There’s nowhere at the back of this London yard to hang overhead lights, but the team at Akita Komar Architects came up with an unusual and elegant solution.
A trio of pendants cascades in a cluster from the top of the back wall, with the white shades set against white brick for a subtle look. Once the sun goes down, the pendants gently illuminate the Japanese maple and relaxed seating area.
There’s nowhere at the back of this London yard to hang overhead lights, but the team at Akita Komar Architects came up with an unusual and elegant solution.
A trio of pendants cascades in a cluster from the top of the back wall, with the white shades set against white brick for a subtle look. Once the sun goes down, the pendants gently illuminate the Japanese maple and relaxed seating area.
7. Direct the Beams
If you have multiple outdoor areas, consider choosing directional lights to illuminate one zone and avoid glare elsewhere. In this Salt Lake City yard by A\ Typical Design Studio, elegant wall fixtures throw light onto the dining space without disturbing anyone on the deck above.
If you have multiple outdoor areas, consider choosing directional lights to illuminate one zone and avoid glare elsewhere. In this Salt Lake City yard by A\ Typical Design Studio, elegant wall fixtures throw light onto the dining space without disturbing anyone on the deck above.
8. Backlight Laser-Cut Screens
Landscape design firm Studio Terrain gave this seating area in a Seattle backyard a rustic feel so it would fit in with the leafy surroundings.
A fire pit, wooden Adirondack chairs and a brick bench are backed by laser-cut Cor-Ten steel panels, which make the fence look more interesting and offer the opportunity for gentle lighting. Spotlights behind the panels provide a cozy glow after dark. For a brighter effect, consider fixing lights right to the top behind the screen.
Landscape design firm Studio Terrain gave this seating area in a Seattle backyard a rustic feel so it would fit in with the leafy surroundings.
A fire pit, wooden Adirondack chairs and a brick bench are backed by laser-cut Cor-Ten steel panels, which make the fence look more interesting and offer the opportunity for gentle lighting. Spotlights behind the panels provide a cozy glow after dark. For a brighter effect, consider fixing lights right to the top behind the screen.
9. Take a Table Lamp Outside
Using a rechargeable table lamp is a great way to bring both light and, should you wish, decoration outside. There are plenty of designs on the market, from simple and stylish, like this one in a London yard by Imago Gardens Design and Landscaping, to more decorative ones.
As the lamps are portable and can simply be carried back into the house at the end of the evening, designs can include more delicate fabric shades in colors and patterns to match your style.
Using a rechargeable table lamp is a great way to bring both light and, should you wish, decoration outside. There are plenty of designs on the market, from simple and stylish, like this one in a London yard by Imago Gardens Design and Landscaping, to more decorative ones.
As the lamps are portable and can simply be carried back into the house at the end of the evening, designs can include more delicate fabric shades in colors and patterns to match your style.
10. Scatter Inset Spots
The chunky stone walls surrounding this snug patio in Boston by Sudbury Design Group are studded with spotlights, angled downward to avoid glare. The spotlights also highlight the pleasing texture of the stone.
With the addition of the large fireplace and illumination from the house, they are enough to ensure that people can navigate safely to the seating area, but more lights could benefit a darker area.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
The chunky stone walls surrounding this snug patio in Boston by Sudbury Design Group are studded with spotlights, angled downward to avoid glare. The spotlights also highlight the pleasing texture of the stone.
With the addition of the large fireplace and illumination from the house, they are enough to ensure that people can navigate safely to the seating area, but more lights could benefit a darker area.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
11. Catch Up in Candlelight
This charming sofa in a London yard feels like the perfect spot for catching up with friends, with candle lanterns dotting the wall behind.
Designer Rebecca James painted the wall in a pinkish-clay color, casting warm reflected light in the daytime, then added the brass lanterns for atmosphere after dark. If flame candles wouldn’t work for you, try LED candles or battery-powered lanterns instead.
This charming sofa in a London yard feels like the perfect spot for catching up with friends, with candle lanterns dotting the wall behind.
Designer Rebecca James painted the wall in a pinkish-clay color, casting warm reflected light in the daytime, then added the brass lanterns for atmosphere after dark. If flame candles wouldn’t work for you, try LED candles or battery-powered lanterns instead.
12. Uplight a Screen
The team at Bay Tree Design wanted to zone this long, narrow lot in Berkeley, California, by creating a series of outdoor rooms dedicated to edible gardening, cooking and entertaining.
These frosted screens separate the cooking and seating areas, giving each a secluded feel. Lighting at the base of each screen helps ensure safe passage down the path and steps, highlights the beautiful shapes of the foliage behind and offers gentle illumination after sundown.
The team at Bay Tree Design wanted to zone this long, narrow lot in Berkeley, California, by creating a series of outdoor rooms dedicated to edible gardening, cooking and entertaining.
These frosted screens separate the cooking and seating areas, giving each a secluded feel. Lighting at the base of each screen helps ensure safe passage down the path and steps, highlights the beautiful shapes of the foliage behind and offers gentle illumination after sundown.
13. Tuck Lights Under Seating
A wooden bench seat curves around a circular fire pit on a gravel patio for an organic feel in this Hertfordshire, England, yard. Designer Kathryn Cox illuminated the area subtly with uplights under the bench and at the backs of the plant containers to add a warm glow without creating a glare for anyone seated around the fire.
A wooden bench seat curves around a circular fire pit on a gravel patio for an organic feel in this Hertfordshire, England, yard. Designer Kathryn Cox illuminated the area subtly with uplights under the bench and at the backs of the plant containers to add a warm glow without creating a glare for anyone seated around the fire.
14. Keep It Natural
If you prefer the idea of chatting under the stars in low light, take inspiration from this Minneapolis patio by Mom’s Design Build. Simple lighting peeks out from the surrounding foliage to provide, along with the central fire pit, just enough illumination for relaxing around the flames and catching up with friends.
If you prefer the idea of chatting under the stars in low light, take inspiration from this Minneapolis patio by Mom’s Design Build. Simple lighting peeks out from the surrounding foliage to provide, along with the central fire pit, just enough illumination for relaxing around the flames and catching up with friends.
15. Stay Flexible With Floor Lamps
Floor lanterns are a great choice for yards with either several seating areas or no fixed seating spot, as they’re easy to move around.
These woven lanterns in an outdoor entertaining space by Hartley and Rose in Devon, England, fit perfectly with the rustic wood structure and woven chairs. They contain candles, but you could easily choose solar- or battery-powered versions.
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Floor lanterns are a great choice for yards with either several seating areas or no fixed seating spot, as they’re easy to move around.
These woven lanterns in an outdoor entertaining space by Hartley and Rose in Devon, England, fit perfectly with the rustic wood structure and woven chairs. They contain candles, but you could easily choose solar- or battery-powered versions.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find a landscape contractor
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Installing a pergola is an effective way to create a smaller seating area within a bigger yard, and also to bring gentle lighting into a space.
Lanterns (including one just out of frame) and string lights hang on this arched metal structure in a project by Avalon Northwest Landscape in Seattle. They add illumination up high to complement the low-key glow amid the foliage and flickering flames of the fire pit for relaxed evening gatherings.
You could also hang lanterns with candles (or battery-powered LEDs) for a romantic and wire-free glow. If using candles, be sure to place them away from foliage or other flammable materials, and never leave them unattended.
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