12 Patio Lights That Will Brighten Your Outdoor Space

Illuminate your dining area, hanging plants, walkways, and beyond with these outdoor patio lights.

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Composite of outdoor lights for entertaining
Photo:

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel, Serena & Lily, Home Depot

Patio lighting is an imperative aspect of any nighttime gathering. Not only does it help you and your guests navigate your landscape safely, but it also provides welcome ambiance. "Lighting provokes emotion when used as art, but also has a practical use of getting guests outdoors," says Daniel McCurry, the co-founder of Father Nature Landscapes. "When lighting your outdoor space, you need to think of all of its benefits to get the most out of it."

From candles to hanging lanterns, there are many types of lighting to choose from. But before selecting a style, it's important to consider the area you're trying to illuminate. Porches, patios, backyards, and gardens all need different types of lighting. "You want to create a soft environment around terraces, pathways, fountains, dining areas, or art pieces," McCurry says. "Outdoor lighting should be as seamless as the lighting the inside of your home, since we feel outdoor lighting is an extension of your interior."

No matter what area of your backyard you want to illuminate—from a gravel pathway to an al fresco dining area—you'll find a wide array of outdoor lighting ideas here.

01 of 12

Crate & Barrel Flameless White Votive Candles with Timer

Flameless White Votive Candles with Timer, Set of 4

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

Enjoy the warm glow of natural candlelight without the fear of an open flame. The perfect option for family-friendly spaces or a bustling outdoor gathering, these flameless, smokeless candles are made from real wax. The set of four candles comes with a timer, so you can program when the lights go out each night.

Price at time of publish: $15.95

02 of 12

Birch Lane Clemons 8 Light Outdoor Chandelier

Clemons 8 - Light Outdoor Chandelier

Courtesy of Wayfair

Chandeliers are a popular way to illuminate a dining room—but they're also a beautiful option for outdoor use, too. This modern iteration is weather resistant and hardwired, so it can stand up to outdoor conditions so long as it's covered from the elements. With eight lights nestled inside protective cylinders, the chandelier casts a warm glow over any space.

Price at time of publish: $418

03 of 12

Brightech Ambience Pro Outdoor String Lights

Brightech Ambience Pro Outdoor String Lights

Courtesy of Amazon

When you think of outdoor patio lighting, the first thing that comes to mind is likely string lights. And for good reason, too–they're a stunning way to draw focus to a trellis, fence, gazebo, and other outdoor fixtures. This energy-saving option is 45 feet long, so you'll have plenty of cord to hang in your desired area. The durable lights are designed to withstand winds of up to 50 miles per hour, rain, and snow. The rubberized, heavy-duty cord is thicker than a traditional one and can handle the wear of outdoor use.

Price at time of publish: $45.99

04 of 12

Fatboy Bolleke Rechargeable LED Hanging Lamp

fatboy bolleke rechargeable led hanging lamp
Courtesy of West Elm

Do you have limited access to outlets in your backyard? Not to worry—this product is rechargeable, so you can keep the area shining bright all evening long. The hanging lamp also has three different LED settings, so you can tailor the lighting to fit your mood. The lowest level also conserves more energy and will stay lit for up to 24 hours.

Price at time of publish: $179

05 of 12

Bannad Garden Solar Lights

Bannad Garden Solar Lights, Cracked Glass Ball Waterproof Warm White LED

Courtesy of Amazon

Entertaining outdoors at night can be dangerous without proper lighting. If you have a walkway or pool in your backyard, illuminate the area with these waterproof solar lights. The globes, which automatically turn on at night and off during the day, only need six to eight hours of sunlight exposure before they're fully charged.

Price at time of publish: $17.99

06 of 12

Hampton Bay Parkwood Outdoor/Indoor Table Lamp

Parkwood 29.5 in. Cream Outdoor/Indoor Table Lamp with Off-White Fabric Shade

Courtesy of Home Depot

While lamps are considered an indoor-only fixture, there are weather-proof options available. Light up your backyard reading nook or add ambiance to end tables with this outdoor table lamp, which is made from durable materials and has a waterproof on and off push button switch for easy and safe operation. It has a concrete finish and performance fabric drum shade, meaning it can hold its own against the elements season after season.

Price at time of publish: $115.47

07 of 12

Banord 102FT Outdoor String Lights

banord dimmable led outdoor string lights
Courtesy of Amazon

At 102 feet long, these string lights are ideal for bigger backyards that need ample illumination. The lights are designed for year-round outdoor use and can withstand severe weather conditions, from wind to rain. Formulated with plastic bulbs, you won't have to worry about any glass breaking in your backyard while kids or pets are playing. The lights are compatible with the Banord dimmer (sold separately), which allows you to perfectly to set the brightness to your liking.

Price at time of publish: $69.99

08 of 12

Crate & Barrel Caplet Outdoor Pendant Light

Caplet Outdoor Pendant Light

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

Add task lighting to your backyard by hanging a few pendant lights in desired areas, like over a bistro table or hammock. This sleek option boats a black capsule that's capped with a frosted glass shade. Because the capsule takes over most of the design, the light isn't very bright. It's best to install this hanging light in areas of your backyard where you want to create a soft glow.

Price at time of publish: $44.97

09 of 12

Milos Natural Teak Lantern

Milos Natural Teak Lantern 15"

Courtesy of Havenly

Patio lighting is especially important if you enjoy dining al fresco. Place these unfinished teak lanterns on a table where they create an instant centerpiece that doubles as a light source. Plus, they feature a notched square stainless steel handle that makes them easy to move from place to place—perfect if you want to display them somewhere else in your yard post-dinner.

Price at time of publish: $55.96

10 of 12

Newpow Outdoor String Lights

Newpow Outdoor String Lights

Courtesy of Amazon

Cast perfect ambient lighting over your backyard with these LED string lights, which emit a soft, amber hue. The durable and impact-resistant bulbs can withstand extreme temperatures, rain, wind, or wet weather. They can be used indoors and outdoors all year long.

Price at time of publish: $32.99

11 of 12

Crate & Barrel Petaluma Black Metal Lantern

Petaluma Black Metal Lantern

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

Available in four different sizes, these pendant lights are small enough to display on your tablescape or big enough to illuminate your pool or walkway. The design is inspired by classic paned glass lanterns, creating a light that blends form and function.

Price at time of publish: $49.95

12 of 12

Serena & Lily Pacifica Outdoor Pendant

Pacifica Outdoor Pendant

Courtesy of Serena & Lily

Lean into your surrounding landscape with a pendant that is made from a natural material, like wicker. This outdoor option is weather-friendly and is made with a powder-coated steel frame for added durability. Each piece is handmade with Serena & Lily's exclusive finish, so no two pendants are exactly alike.

Price at time of publish: $398

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