When summer arrives and sunny spells bring us warm temperatures, our attention immediately shifts to the garden. Being in your garden when it’s bright and sunny outside is euphoric - but when the sun goes in we’re left without that gleeful illumination - which is where patio lighting comes into play!
Outdoor patio lighting is crucial for establishing a particular ambience and atmosphere in your garden - it can enhance the mood and aesthetic of your space while also providing extra security for your home.
When you choose Vision Lighting for your outdoor and patio lighting desires, you will benefit from an extensive range of high-quality lighting products and an outstanding commitment to customer service.
Benefits of patio lighting
Outdoor patio lighting ideas can truly transform how you use and enjoy your outdoor space. Whether you're entertaining guests or unwinding after a long day, the right lighting makes a big difference. Below you’ll find some of the key benefits of patio lighting.
Extended Outdoor Living
With proper lighting, your patio becomes an extension of your indoor space. You can enjoy your garden well into the evening, whether you're having dinner outdoors, relaxing with a book, or spending time with family and friends.
Improved Safety
Lighting walkways, steps and seating areas helps prevent trips and falls. It’s a simple way to make your garden more accessible and comfortable for everyone.
Enhanced Security
Light is a proven deterrent to intruders. Motion sensor lights and strategically placed floodlights can help protect your home by eliminating dark hiding spots around the property.
Boosted Kerb Appeal
Attractive patio lighting can elevate the overall appearance of your outdoor area, adding depth, warmth and kerb appeal. It’s also a great way to highlight landscaping, furniture or architectural features.
Increased Property Value
Thoughtful outdoor lighting adds a sense of completeness to your home’s exterior. This can boost the perceived value of your property, especially if it’s installed professionally and complements your overall garden design.
Energy Efficiency and Low Maintenance
Thanks to LED and solar lighting technology, it’s easier than ever to create a beautiful setup that’s cost effective and low maintenance. LED lights are long lasting and energy efficient, while solar options require no wiring or electricity.
Customisable Ambience
Lighting lets you set the mood. From soft fairy lights to bold wall lanterns or colour changing LED strips, you can tailor the atmosphere to suit any occasion.
10 Patio Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Garden
Getting your garden ready for those gloriously warm evenings is a must. Let's take a look at some of the top patio lighting ideas to keep yours fully functioning as night-time falls.
1. Illuminate Your Patio With Outdoor Wall Lights
Outdoor wall lights are a fantastic and practical way to illuminate your outdoor space and patio area - they could light up your entire patio or just a designated area. Our wide selection of LED wall light products are extremely energy efficient and boast both style and performance.
Depending on where you plan on placing your exterior wall lights, you should install them with the aim of illuminating a sizable amount of space. This way they can help to transform your patio into an outdoor area that is well lit and accessible at any time of day.
Wall lights look spectacular and will allow you to enjoy your patio area even more when night-time comes around.
Additional tip: Choose lights with a motion sensor or dusk to dawn feature for added convenience and energy savings. If you love entertaining, opt for wall lights with adjustable beams to create different moods depending on the occasion.
2. Plant Spotlights Around Your Garden
Spotlights are a must when it comes to outdoor lighting ideas! To ensure the ground of your outdoor space is adequately illuminated, you could plant some spotlights around the parameters of your patio or decking area by either installing them on surrounding walls or placing them in the ground and planters.
As well as being aesthetically pleasing, planting spotlights will also help you prevent any tripping-related accidents from occurring in the dark since you’ll be able to see the ground more clearly.
Our LED spotlight range will provide your entire garden area with a wealth of illumination and an ambient glow. For extra security, add some outdoor solar security lights.
Additional tip: Try using warm white spotlights to highlight pathways and cool white for architectural features or large shrubs. This creates visual contrast and guide the eye naturally through your outdoor space.
3. Go Traditional With LED Lanterns
Bottom and top arm LED wall lanterns are a traditional yet super-stylish approach to bringing some elegant lighting to your patio or outdoor space. They’d look amazing in the front and back of your home, as well as on the surrounding walls of your patio space. They’re extremely affordable and last for several years, providing your garden with vast illumination and accent lighting.
Additional tip: For a timeless look, pair your lanterns with wrought iron or rustic wood furnishings. If you're going for a modern rustic vibe, black or bronze finishes work particularly well to add contrast and sophistication.
4. Add Strip Lights To All Furniture
Believe us, this will be the best decision you ever make! There is simply no better or more creative way to illuminate your outdoor patio area, while also bringing a sense of flair and charm, than by adding LED strip lights to your outdoor furniture. By simply sticking some inexpensive yet efficient LED strips to the bottom of - or edges and outlines - of your furniture, your entire patio area will be transformed into an incredibly warming and stunning centrepiece.
Your furniture will stand out from the rest of the garden. You could even change the colours and lighting modes of your LED lights to make some sort of a light spectacle in your now illuminated garden.
Your furniture will be glowing, and the look it gives off will make your patio space look state of the art, luxurious and expensive. Best of all, you can install our cost-effective and versatile LED strips on just about anything to give it a beautiful glow - including on your shed and patio stairs.
Additional tip: Choose waterproof LED strips rated IP65 or higher to ensure durability in outdoor conditions. And for added control, connect your strips to a smart home system for voice activated or app controlled lighting effects.
5. LEDs Everywhere
LED is the best light source nowadays, and it’s equally the best outdoor lighting option too - for good reason! LED lighting is a fantastic option for exterior lighting since it performs better in colder climates than other light sources and can give off a harsh or soft glow. LED lights are a fantastic choice for an outdoor light source owing to their incredible range, intensity, and extensive longevity.
If you’re looking to renovate your garden, be sure to plan ahead for the implementation of LED strip lighting before any work is carried out. This ensures that the landscaper can plan ahead and incorporate the lighting into the design work - this will save time and minimise the mess created at the end of the garden project!
So why not install LEDs in all sorts of places around your patio? You won’t need many LEDs - just one lamp will provide sufficient illumination - but you could install LED strip lights or mini spotlights under patio furniture or in planters to add some extra creative lighting. It can also be useful to utilise LED strip profiles when installing these lightings, particularly when mounting them on a surface or recessed into walls.
Additional tip: Mix and match fixed LED fittings with portable battery powered options. This gives you flexibility and lets you move the light around depending on how you're using your space.
6. Enchanting Illumination With Fairy Lights
Fairy lights are without a doubt the ultimate outdoor lighting solution to achieving a magical glow in your garden. Scattering LED fairy lights around your outdoor space will instantly make it look like some sort of enchanted garden where your mood will feel uplifted.
There are a plethora of possibilities when it comes to hanging your fairy lights - from adding some sparkle lighting by placing fairy lights on your surrounding fencing to hanging them from branches.
Most fairy lights come with flexible options that can allow you to change colour and setting - you could have them blinking, fading or twinkling like stars. Forget staring at the stars at night, LED fairy lights will transmit a gentle glow that’ll leave you dazzled for hours.
Additional tip: Drape fairy lights across a pergola or gazebo for a canopy of sparkle, or trail them inside large glass jars to create glowing lanterns. Opt for solar powered versions for an eco-friendly setup with zero wiring.
7. Install LED Floodlights For Safety And Style
When it comes to saturating a large outdoor area with an abundance of intense light a night, floodlights are the most ideal solution. Floodlights are not a discreet lighting solution, but it's the reason why many people choose them for their gardens. They're one of the better options for those who are concerned about safety since they can prevent burglars and can also help to make your outdoor space useful and visible when the sun goes in.
LED floodlights can come in a number of light ranges, which allows your home to enjoy additional security. They also serve as a visual deterrent, which will give you peace of mind if you’re wary of intruders entering your garden.
Large outdoor areas can be pleasantly illuminated by LED floodlights, which are frequently installed in domestic spaces and commercial areas such as on the outside of bars, restaurants, hotels, billboards, and various other structures. We have a complete selection of high-efficiency LED floodlights for your home’s garden in addition to a variety of floodlights for commercial use and nationwide rollouts.
Additional tip: For greater control, choose floodlights with built-in motion sensors or smart functionality that allows scheduling via a mobile app. Angle them strategically to avoid glare while maximising coverage of pathways, driveways and patio edges.
8. Turn Your Trees Into Light Features
It's easy yet effective to create some flair and atmosphere in your outdoor patio space by uplighting your trees or plants. Make sure that the light is only focused on each tree, highlighting its distinct sculptural design so that the trees resemble living masterpieces that are good to look at.
You could stare at your trees all night from your comfy patio furniture, while also having a pretty source of illumination standing in your garden. Wrap some fairy lights around your trees or hang some fancy lights from the branches to make your garden an enchanted one. You could even add some solar lights outdoors or place solar garden lights below the trees.
Additional tip: For a more dramatic effect, combine uplighting with downlighting from tree mounted fixtures. Use warm tones to create a relaxing ambience or cooler tones for a crisp, modern vibe. Group lights around focal trees or shrubs to draw attention to your garden’s natural structure.
9. Add Up And Down Lights To Your Walls
Similar to your home’s interior lighting, outdoor lighting can have a massive impact on establishing the mood and defining the atmosphere of your space. By having the right exterior wall lights - up and down fixed wall lights work best in this case - you should be able to disperse enough light to set the most perfect ambience in your garden.
If you’re throwing a relaxed evening garden party, our modern outdoor downlights will be perfect for making the atmosphere both classy and relaxed. Your guests will feel comforted with the addition of downlights or spotlights neatly adjusted to your patio walls.
Additional tip: Use up and down lights to frame outdoor artwork, a water feature, or even an exterior door to create symmetry and visual appeal. Try installing them in pairs to highlight architectural features and enhance the sense of space in smaller gardens.
10. Have Permanent Wall Lights Fitted
For this garden lighting idea, you'll need the assistance of a licensed electrician - all worth it though. Permanent lighting fixtures placed around the garden have the benefit of providing you with year-round illumination. You can still generate a pleasant ambient feeling out of season if you have access to energy and aren't dependent on the sun, which is scarce throughout winter here in the UK.
Together with being beneficial next to walkways and stairways in your garden, wall lights emit a warm glow, making it far safer and more convenient to navigate around the garden in low light.
Nano lights make a perfect addition to a domestic setting. Whether you choose to install them above a bi-folding door, place them by the garage doors or utilise them for their colour changing capabilities around the driveway, our selection of nano lights will be sure to make an impact.
Additional tip: Consider layering your permanent wall lights with accent lighting, such as ground level spotlights or recessed step lights. This not only enhances safety but also adds texture and depth to your overall garden lighting design.
Budget Friendly Patio Lighting Ideas
If you are looking for some outdoor patio lighting ideas that are also light on the pocket we have you covered!
Solar Stake Lights
Solar stake lights are cheap, eco-friendly and easy to install. This makes them perfect for lining garden paths, borders or driveways. They charge during the day and switch on automatically at dusk, requiring no wiring or electricity bills.
Battery Powered Fairy Lights
This is one of the cheapest patio lighting ideas. For under £10, you can add a touch of magic to your space with battery operated fairy lights. Drape them over fences, trellises or into jars for an enchanting and affordable glow.
LED Tea Lights or Candles in Jars
Mason jars or old jam jars filled with LED tea lights create a rustic, low cost lighting solution that looks great on tabletops or steps. Group a few together for added effect and one of the simplest of outdoor patio lighting ideas.
Repurpose String Lights From Indoors
If you have spare indoor fairy lights, bring them outside for an evening or two. Just make sure they’re protected from moisture or use them in covered areas like under parasols or pergolas.
Rechargeable LED Lanterns
Stylish and portable, these lanterns can be picked up for around £20 and placed anywhere in your garden. Many products offer dimming and colour changing options too, for interchangeable patio lighting ideas.
Patio Lighting Ideas For Small Gardens
Patio lighting ideas for small gardens don’t need to be restricted! Just follow our advice below to make the most out of your space.
Use vertical lighting: Mount wall lights, hanging lantern, or festoon lights on fences and walls to save floor space and create a cosy vertical glow. This also gives the illusion of height in compact areas.
Hang fairy lights in potted plants: Wrap fairy lights around potted trees or climbers to add warmth without taking up any extra room. It’s a simple way to add character without clutter.
Go for multifunctional lighting: Choose lights that also serve another purpose, like furniture with built-in LED strips or solar powered lights that double as planters.
Install recessed deck or step lights: If you have decking or steps, integrated LED lights save space and add safe, subtle lighting that doesn’t intrude on your small layout.
Keep it minimal and warm: Avoid over lighting a small space. A few well-placed warm white lights can create a more inviting atmosphere than a clutter of bright bulbs.
Before You Go Ahead With Your Patio Lighting Ideas
Before diving into your outdoor patio lighting installation, it’s important that you start with the right preparation. Taking the time to plan properly will help everything run smoothly and reduce the risk of any setbacks or surprises. It also sets the stage for a lighting setup that’s not just attractive, but also functional and, above all else, safe.
Here’s a helpful checklist to get you started:
1. Decide Where Your Lights Will Go
Think beyond aesthetics and consider safety, accessibility and practicality. This might not be much of an issue if you have simple plant spotlights or furniture strip lights, but it most certainly is if you are installing wall lights connected to the mains. Are you highlighting garden features, illuminating a seating area, or making walkways easier to navigate? Mapping out your lighting plan in advance will help you get the right balance of form and function.
2. Choose The Right Fixtures
Again, this depends on which idea you choose from the ten listed above, but if fixtures are required then make sure you choose ones that are durable and weather resistant (suitable for outdoor use). At Vision Lighting, we offer brackets and mounting accessories to help you secure your lights safely and effectively.
3. Pick Suitable Bulbs
Ensure the bulbs you choose have an appropriate IP rating for outdoor conditions. They need to withstand moisture and fluctuating weather. Our LED bulbs are a great choice as they’re energy efficient, long lasting, and specifically designed for outdoor environments.
4. Check Your Tools and Materials
Make sure you have everything you need before getting started. This might include electrical cables, connectors, junction boxes, outlets, and possibly a drill if you’re installing wall mounted patio lights. Having the right kit at hand saves time and avoids unnecessary delays.
5. Confirm Your Power Source
Know where your electricity will come from. You might need additional wiring or an outdoor rated outlet installed. If a hardwired solution isn’t feasible, solar powered lighting is a great alternative, especially for low maintenance setups.
6. Don’t Forget Your Safety Gear
Safety should always come first. Use protective equipment like gloves and goggles, and follow UK electrical safety regulations. For anything involving mains power, it’s strongly recommended that you hire a qualified electrician to ensure everything is installed correctly and legally.
Illuminate your garden with high-quality patio lighting
At Vision Lighting, we have a friendly and experienced team who can provide expert advice should you need it.
In the decade that we have been thriving in the lighting industry, we have worked hard to perfect and refine our extensive lighting and LED product range. In this way, we have been providing homes and commercial settings with the best and most excellent solutions that give off magnificent illumination.
Our high-quality patio lighting is affordable and will endure for a very long time - get yours today!
Remember: if our ideas have inspired you today, ensure to implement them with products that are IP rated and suitable for outdoor use.