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Cool backyard lights


30 Cool Backyard Lighting Ideas For Magical Decors

By Simona Ganea | Updated on

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It’s finally nice outside which means we can finally spend more time outdoors than we do indoors. The backyard takes the place of the living room for a lot of activities and not just during the day but also in the evening or at night.

As the sun sets we’re presented with a wonderful opportunity to turn the backyard into a magical place. But how…you might wonder. We’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s all about the backyard lights and all the cool things you can do with them.

In a rush? Here’s a rundown of the most important headings about backyard lighting.

How to choose backyard lights

Looking at how many types of backyard lights that are on the market today and wondering what is the best type for your needs? You are not alone in this and it is easy to become confused when the different types of lights are very similar with minor differences. Before making your final decision, ensure that the following questions are asked and answered!

  1. What style of lighting are you in the market for? Security lighting with motion sensors and timers? Decorative lighting fixtures to increase the overall aesthetic? Wall mounted lights or freestanding fixtures?
  2. Are you looking for backyard lighting that will illuminate the entire backyard or just the portion in which you spend your time?
  3. Are you in the market for energy efficient lighting or lighting that is easily replaced?
  4. Solar or battery or electricity based power for the lights?
  5. Your backyard lighting budget.
  6. Do you want warranty, repair services, and installation?

Types of backyard lights

When it comes to backyard lighting, there are definitely more than one type flooding the market sector so it is important to know the difference between each type.

Consider These Questions Before Buying

What are some of the most frequently asked questions by customers when it comes to backyard lighting? What are the best questions to help you choose the type of backyard lighting you want to install? Below you will find a selection of them:

  1. What type of backyard light fixture is the best for a large backyard? A small backyard?
  2. How much energy do each type of lighting option use?
  3. Is solar or battery better in terms of wattage and illumination?
  4. Can you return the light fixture if it isn’t what you wanted?
  5. How about installation? Does it require the services of an electrician or can it be done at home?
  6. Can you change the positions of the light fixtures or are they stationary?
  7. How much maintenance (if any) is required?

Cool Backyard Lighting Projects

Cozy Backyard Patio Lights

A lot of times the backyard lights are just decorative, although they do help to also create a cozy ambiance. That being said, a cool idea can be to hang a few cafe lights around the sitting area and to make them look pretty and funky by decorating them with embroidery thread and macrame cord, just as suggested on Jojotastic. We absolutely love those cute little bells that were added here. They really cheer up the space.

Colorful Lanterns

Since we’re talking about an outdoor space, solar lanterns would make perfect sense. Aren’t these ones lovely? They’re actually custom made and the whole process is pretty easy.

These are the supplies required for this, according to Everydaydishes: solar lights and spice jars (6 of each in this particular case), painter’s tape, glass frost paint in several colors (or only one, depending on the look you prefer), a sponge brush, strong glue and twine.

String Lights Poles

If you’d like to add some mood lighting to a garden lounge area but there’s no pergola or roof to hang the lights from, you can make some poles. The idea comes from Idaklipperochklistrar and was in turn inspired by some posts on Pinterest.

Basically, the goal is to frame the space with poles which you can then decorate in all sorts of cool ways. In order to do that you need a few buckets (or some other type of containers), concrete mix and poles (these can be thin tree trunks, branches or actual poles made of wood, metal, PVC, etc).

Garden Globes

These glowing spheres are really really cool and we’ve actually seen them being used in all sorts of beautiful landscapes but it never really occurred to us that we can actually craft them ourselves. But then we stumbled upon a post from Theartofdoingstuff and all of a sudden it all made sense.

This would have to be one of the best backyard lighting ideas ever simply because it’s so simple and so elegant. Believe it or not, all you need to make these beautiful spheres is some old glass shades and some old Christmas string lights.

There is, however, a tricky part. You’ll most likely need to bring an extension cord out into the garden and burry it in the dirt unless of course you can find some battery-operated lights you can use.

Solar Cedar Path Lights

Solar lights are very accessible but getting them is actually the easy part. Displaying them in a way that makes them stand out is the tricky part. We have an idea in that sense that you might like. It comes from Build-basic and it’s a low-cost and relatively simple project which you can complete in an hour or so. The idea is to build a wooden pole and to have the solar light built into it.

Stump Lights

The Stump and the entire Cracked Log Light Range for that matter is designed to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor although it’s clearly an amazing choice for gardens, yards and patios in particular.

These lamps are so wonderful because they look like things you’d actually encounter outdoors. Recently the designer, Duncan Meerding, added new pieces to the collection, expanding the series with stumps that are almost double the size of the initial ones.

Morrocan Jars

Aren’t these backyard lights just magical? No wonder they’re called Fairy Dust Balls. They’re solar powered and they turn on automatically at dust which means all you have to do is find a good place to hang them and then just forget about them. You don’t need to charge them or worry about the on/off switch. Add these globes to your porch, patio, garden or backyard and turn these spaces into magical wonderlands.

Torches

Another way in which you can set up a nice mood in the backyard is with torches. The really cool thing about this is that you can make the torches yourself out of recycled wine bottles. The project is not that complicated but you do need a few things for it.

According to Designsponge, the list of supplies for one torch includes an empty wine bottle (or any bottle with a 1” neck), teflon tape, a copper top plate connector, a 1” split ring hanger, copper coupling (1/2” x 3/8” ), two hex nuts, two screws, tiki wick and torch fuel.

Romantic Spot

Remember the poles we mentioned earlier? Here’s a version of that project adapted to suit an al-fresco dining area out in the garden. Two poles are enough to frame the area and their role, in this case, is actually to hold the string lights. It’s sort of like having a chandelier outdoors. You can also creatively customize the project from Homedepot and for instance also wrap the poles in fairy lights.

Candle spots

If you want to create a romantic vibe, candles are usually better than light fixtures although fairy lights are pretty cute too. As far as candles go, you could use several in different sizes and you can spread them across the backyard either inside jars, votives or grouped in trays.

Perhaps you could be inspired by this charming backyard terrace which we found on Cutemaison. We love how the candle light highlights the texture of the stone and wood walls.

Boho Chic Lighting

A pergola presents a wonderful opportunity because you can hang string lights to create a truly magical ambiance. It would all be even more magical if you had vines and climbing plants growing on the pergola or on trellis walls, framing the space like a secret garden.

A bunch of planters made out of repurposed containers such as buckets or baskets would be charming as well. We got some of these ideas from Fixaodona and we really like them.

Fire pit lights

Fire pits are pretty cool too and if you’re worried about having an open fire in your back yard then maybe you’d enjoy more to have a faux fire. What we’re suggesting is to have a bunch of wood logs lit by fairy lights.

It’s so simple and yet so charming. This is the type of fire pit anyone can make and safely use even indoors. It’s inspiring ideas like this one that result in great transformations. You can find this idea and several others on Fipstickandmuffingirl.

Wrapping trees

And speaking of logs and fairy lights, what if you were to wrap some string lights around the trees in your backyard or your garden. The result would be similar to what you see here. Just wrap the lights around the tree trunks and go as high as you want.

Mason jar torches

We’ve already described a list of things you need if you want to make torches but in that case wine bottles were used so now we’ll also check out these mason jar tiki torches that we found on Thefrugalhomemaker.

Mason jar torches are more versatile because they can be moved around and placed on tables, shelves or hanged on walls and fences. Check out the easy instructions and make your own tiki backyard lights.

Pathway lights

Have you ever worked with rope lights? They’re really cool and also very versatile. You can use them to outline a pathway in your backyard or garden or you can attach them to the railings or guard rails.

Actually, you can basically wrap them around anything in your backyard including trees or furniture and they’ll look awesome every time. Check out three inspiring ideas in this sense on Christmaslightsetc.

Cupcake

Maybe you’ve already heard about cupcake liner lights back when we showed you some cool ways to customize your Christmas tree. Well, they’re actually great no matter what the season is.

Check out Cfabbridesigns to see how you can make cute backyard lights using cupcake liners and how you can then use them to decorate your outdoor spaces. Feel free to mix and match patterns and colors.

Party hats

It’s amazing what you can do with a few simple things like for example some string lights and a bunch of small party hats. This funky idea comes from Cremedelacraft and the project is something anyone can do.

All you need besides the lights and the hats is some tape and scissors. Cut the hats to make small cones that fit around each tiny lightbulb. You can cover up the pattern or the graphics if you don’t like them and if you don’t have any party hats then just make some cones out of cardboard.

Tin Cans

Another cool backyard lighting idea comes from Eliseenghstudios. The tutorial found here shows you how to make lanterns out of old tin cans.

Basically, you just clean the can and remove the label, then you fill it with water and you put it in the freezer. When the water is frozen, use a hammer and a nail to perforate the can, creating any pattern you want. Remove the ice and then put a candle inside the can. You can also add a handle.

String Balls

There’s another type of lanterns which you can make and these ones involve balloons and twine/ string. To make these you also need glue, cornstarch, petroleum jelly, spray paint and string lights.

You can find out how to use all of these things in the tutorial shades on Splashofsomething. Once you have these lovely lanterns, you can hang them in groups or in any other way you want in your backyard or on the patio. Don’t they look charming under this umbrella?

All of the backyard lighting ideas we presented so far are really nice and charming but we’ve missing something: a chandelier.

That’s right, you can actually make an outdoor chandelier. There’s a tutorial showing you how to make one out of chicken wire on Consumercrafts. You also need a tomato cage to use as a frame for this project.

Best backyard lighting ideas you can buy

LITOM 120 LED Solar Lights Outdoor

In addition to all the cool DIY lighting ideas that we just mentioned, there are plenty of products that you can buy in case you don’t really feel like crafting or if you want to simplify things.

If you prioritize security and practicality, you might find these solar lights very useful. They have motion sensors that detect movement within a range of 26 feet and at an angle os 120 degrees. ]They’re bright and they turn on automatically at night when motion is detected. They’re also portable and you can take them with you anywhere and hang them or place it wherever you want. They’re also waterproof, hear-resistant and frost-resistant.

Solar Spotlights Outdoor Colored Landscape Lights

Colored lights are also great for making the backyard or the garden look magical. These ones are very bright and make use of big solar panels which are installed at the top and look like little angled roofs.

These spotlights can be very easily inserted into the ground and come in sets of two, along with a remote control which you can use to set the lighting time and the color.

You can also have them installed on walls or even up in trees. When fully charged they can provide light for up to 16 hours. They turn on automatically at night and off in the morning but can also be operated using the remote.

Brightech Ambience Pro – Waterproof

If you’re going for a cozy bistro-inspired backyard or patio setting, you might want to use these outdoor lights. These are solar-powered LED lights with vintage-looking bulbs that you can hang outside in order to create a pleasant ambiance at night.

They’re bright enough to efficiently illuminate the area but also quite subtle as to not become overpowering. On a full charge these lights last around 5 to 6 hours. You can get them in two different lengths.

BAXIA TECHNOLOGY BX-SL-101 Solar Lights

Security lights are a must-have for anyone with a yard or a garden. These have the advantage of being powerful, compact and have motion sensors. They turn on automatically when it’s dark and motion is detected in a 3 to 5 meter range.

They have an angle of 120 degrees and are solar-powered. They collect energy during the day and they use it during the night. The 28 LEDs provide bright and powerful light and are protected by lampshades. You can safely place these lights outdoors as they are designed to be water and heat-resistant.

Solar Deck Lights

Sometimes it’s nice to add a little bit of style and character to the outdoor areas like the backyard, the patio or even the garden and one way to do it is with accent lights. These are solar-powered outdoor lights.

They have a quirky and cute design and they also have built-in sensors which allow them to turn on and off automatically at night and at dawn. They can also change color which is a really cool little detail that you can take advantage of in interesting ways. You can install them within minutes and they’ll be able to withstand rain and snow and to last for a long time.

Solar Curtain String Lights Outdoor

Rope lights are another really cool idea. They’re very popular during Halloween and Christmas when they’re used as decorations but you can also potentially incorporate them in a simpler and more casual way into your outdoor spaces.

For example, you could use them to permanently decorate one of the trees in your garden or you can hang them on the patio.

This particular model is great because it uses two different sources of power. They’re powered by solar panels as well as by AA batteries so there’s always a backup source. They’re also very bright an come with a small wireless remote for added convenience.

12Pack Stainless Steel Outdoor Solar Lights

Of course, you also have the more typical and classical outdoor solar lights to rely on. These are very cheap, versatile and very convenient as well. They make perfect pathway lights and you can also casually spread them across the backyard or the garden to create a nice and pleasant ambiance at night.

They absorb light during daytime and store it, then they turn on automatically at night. They’re super easy to put together and they have stakes so you can easily insert them into the ground. You can also display them in other ways if you’re creative.

U-miss 4PCs Solar Torch Lights

These outdoor solar lights are quite simple too but they’re designed to resemble little torches. You can have them placed out on the deck, the porch or anywhere else you see fit as a way to add some mood lighting to the place.

They have a warm and soft glow and they use solar energy which they collect during the day. There’s no need for batteries or cords and they turn on automatically at night. They’re also very durable and waterproof so you can safely leave them outside at all times. The best part of course is the flickering flame.

GIGALUMI Hanging Solar Mason Jar Lights

Going back to the whole magical outdoor theme that we had going on, check out these lovely mason jar lights. They’re really cute and you can place them anywhere you want. They come in sets of six and they don’t require any wiring or batteries.

They collect solar energy during the day and they use it at nighttime, creating a soft glow and adding mood lighting to the space around them. When fully charged they provide up to 8 hours of lighting. The fairy lights inside each jar look a bit like fireflies. Each of these lights measures 3.2’’ in diameter and 5.3’’ in height.

GIGALUMI Solar Pathway Lights 6 Pack

These pathway lights look magical in their own way. They’re brighter than the typical pathway lights and they also have more detailed designs.

They give off warm white light and they’re made of metal with a beautiful bronze finish that adds an elegant, antique-style vibe to them. You can have several of these spread across the lawn or the garden and use them to mark the pathways or light certain areas. Push the stake into the ground and that’s pretty much it in terms of installation. They’re solar-powered and provide up to 10 hours of lighting on a full charge.

Conclusion

When it comes to purchasing backyard lighting, it is important to go with the option that will best suit your needs and wants in terms of décor, style, functionality, and budget.

You want to ensure that not only does your budget include the cost of the lighting in terms of the initial purchase but also long-term costs such as maintenance, replacement, and repair.

Your monthly utility bill will increase (unless they are solar powered) so budget for that as well! Use various guides that are in place to find the best lighting for your backyard.

15 ways to illuminate beautifully |

Clever backyard lighting ideas can quickly transform your yard and max up its potential as an extra space to enjoy in the evening. The right lighting can spotlight focal points such as trees and planting and help to zone different areas for relaxing, al fresco cooking or gathering for drinks. 

Discreet up-lights can be used to enhance plants and trees, adding drama as their shapes will take on architectural qualities when thrown into relief. The same goes for pieces of garden art or sculpture, which can become key focal points of the night garden if you use the right lighting to draw attention to them.

You can also create a relaxed atmosphere if you use recessed lighting to give your backyard ideas an indoor feel that's perfect for defining a welcoming space when you're entertaining friends. There's a practical element to good lighting too, as it can be used to light the way and frame entrances.

Our expert backyard lighting ideas to help you create a wonderfully lit night time garden that's a real design feature.

Backyard lighting ideas

The time to plan your backyard lighting is when you are scouting for backyard landscaping ideas. This is because planning and installing backyard lighting will require some upheaval, unless you go purely for solar outdoor lighting ideas.

'Our backyards are now being used much more for socializing and entertaining, so there’s an increased focus on how they transform after dusk. Incorporating a lighting scheme into your design can bring a new ambience to your garden – and of course it's practical too,' explains John Wyer, CEO of garden designers Bowles & Wyer .

With so many lighting landscape ideas to choose from, keep in mind the look you want to create and its chosen purpose when planning how to landscape your backyard. This may be to highlight a path, form a focal point such as enhancing a plant or piece of garden art, zone a space such as a relaxation area or guide your way down some steps or along a path.

'Clever but discreet backyard lighting can add a further dimension and drama to your garden,' says garden designer Charlotte Rowe . 'It helps to extend the life of a garden, creating an atmospheric space or outdoor room even after dark.' 

Whatever you hope to achieve one thing is for sure – every backyard needs good lighting to help you make the most of your space at night. So why not create a series of impressive focal points and help define your space with our selection of stunning backyard lighting ideas?

1.

Focus attention on the patio

(Image credit: Terrain)

Even the simplest of patio lighting ideas can create an intimate, cozy feel that will invite guests to stay at the table. 

'Backyard string light ideas, draped over your outdoor dining area, or woven into the greenery growing on fences and walls, is an easy backyard lighting retro-fit – all you need to ensure is that the lighting is suitable for outdoor use,' says H&G's Gardens Editor Rachel Crow.

2. Light up the backyard at dusk

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe Garden Design)

This stunning contemporary space is perfect for anyone looking for sloped backyard ideas. It features a sleek modern water feature, raised dining platform and smart planting that all benefits from being discreetly lit as soon as daylight starts to fade. Make sure your backyard lighting ideas include built-in timers to add automatic atmosphere at dusk. It's a small detail that makes a big difference.

'This garden design shows how important it is to have lighting even when it's not quite dark,' says garden designer Charlotte Rowe. 'There is lighting in the water feature which plays with the movement in the water and highlights the stepping stone. The hedging and trees in the lower garden are also lit with spike spots for added drama.'

3. Combine backyard lighting with a fireplace

(Image credit: Terrain)

A wonderful way to create a focal point in your backyard is with lighting that centers around outdoor fireplace ideas or backyard fire pit ideas.

'This is perfect in a smaller or courtyard space,' says Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'You may not need much more lighting in your backyard than this. Of course, you won't always want to light the fire, especially on warm nights, so ensure the backyard lighting is sufficient to illuminate the space cozily without it. You can always fill the hearth with candles to create extra glow. '

4. Create a magical space

(Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)

Stunning backyard lighting adds another dimension to this sunken garden, creating an enchanting space for entertaining and helping to bring the garden to life at night. The lighting scheme, designed by John Cullen Creative Director Sally Storey, brings together both inside and out, picking out the key features throughout the space to enhance the overall effect.

The path to the outdoor seating area and kitchen beyond is lit with floor lights to guide you through the space. The architectural nature of the trees and sculptures is emphasized with spiked spotlights to softly light the surrounding area. A subtle glow is created under the seating area which adds another interesting dimension.

The most flexible solution for backyard lighting is often to use spiked lights which are repositioned as the seasons change to ensure you highlight the best effects. This design shows how lighting can be used in this way to pull together a space cohesively and is packed with backyard lighting ideas you can steal.

5. Light up a pergola

(Image credit: Maze Living)

Pergola ideas are a great way to add shelter in a backyard, whether from the sun in hot weather, or from rain on cooler days. They can also be warmer to sit beneath at night, which means working backyard lighting ideas into their design.

One way to do so is to have the pergola designer work lighting into the structure, as above; gazebo lighting ideas make for great inspiration for this type of lighting design. Another is to consider including lighting fixtures that could fit seamlessly indoors (looks-wise) into your outdoor living room ideas. 

6. Enhance a focal point

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe Garden Design)

Using a combination of decorative lighting effects always produces the best results. Accent lighting lets you create drama to enhance a sculpture at the end of a garden path, for example, while recessed lights in the gravel enhance the starkly silhouetted trunks of a row of pleached trees.  

'The flat-topped umbrella plane trees down this avenue are up-lit with the light softly grazing their trunks. This leads your eye down the avenue to the focal point urn at the end,' says garden designer Charlotte Rowe. 'The large timber arbor on the right is also enhanced by strong ambient lighting.'

Lighting a canopy of trees overhead such as here is always magical too, lending a sense of enchantment that's perfect for enhancing space in small backyards.

7. Be creative with deck lighting ideas

(Image credit: Living Gardens)

Deck lighting ideas can be fitted flush into the deck as uplighters, highlighting, for safety reasons, the edge of the deck or the edge of stair risers. They can also be used with directional fittings to spotlight container plants displayed on the deck.

However, there are more imaginative ways of lighting a deck, such as this downlit idea, above. This creates a softer result, and shows off the warm color of the wood. 

'The temperature of your backyard lighting bulbs are a consideration,' says Rachel Crow. 'LEDs are often cool-colored, but if you want to create an inviting look, I would suggest buying bulbs with a warmer, yellower light.'

8. Zone your space with lights

(Image credit: Bowles Wyer)

'Carefully placed backyard lighting can effectively zone your space. It creates small intimate areas nestled in foliage, almost like beads on a necklace,' says garden designer John Wyer. 'The best way to do this is to think about purpose – dining, lounging, a water feature. Or you could even give a new lease of life to a winding pathway by adding subtle spotlights.'

Lighting can add a completely different mood to your backyard too and should be used to accentuate the form and texture that you’ve created in your garden design. In larger backyards it can be used to add a sense of mystery. Where does the winding path lit by recessed lights lead to? What is that stunning spot-lit tree in the distance that demands a closer look?

Lighting is your best friend when it comes to staging your backyard for a garden party too. Nothing sets the scene better than an outdoor space lit by glowing lights.

9. Use lighting to transform a courtyard 

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe/Light-IQ)

Inspirational and innovative lighting can be used to work with existing architecture such as the walls of this enclosed courtyard ideas, showing that no matter how small your garden is it can be transformed into an exceptionally lit space.

'This long water rill has spotlights under each of the timber pontoons that cross the water and an uplight for the water spout at the end. This helps to take your eye down the water feature to the wall at the end,' says garden designer Charlotte Rowe. This creates the impression that the space is bigger than it actually is.

'We have also up-lit the multi-stem Amelanchier trees and the pleached hornbeams at the end of the garden, with the light grazing the old stock brick walls around the garden,' adds Charlotte. The result shows that clever backyard lighting ideas that pay attention to smaller details can be transformative.

10. Create an outdoor space with an indoor feel

Courtyard garden by Osada Design, with lighting by John Cullen Lighting

(Image credit: Osada Design/John Cullen Lighting)

A blended indoor-outdoor entertaining area is perfect for a relaxed atmosphere such as the one here in this sheltered courtyard space by Osada Design and John Cullen Lighting. It's a real retreat from city life.

When night falls, a sophisticated lighting system adds drama, illuminating the trees and the movement of water, highlighting planting in pots as well as the main architecture of the building, while creating magical shadows and making a space to be enjoyed at all hours of the day.

It's a unique backyard that uses planting, water and lighting to add drama, turning a small area into an extra special place for entertaining.

11. Go subtle for a relaxing spa effect

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe Garden Design)

As relaxation pools go, this one has to be high on our wish list. Who wouldn't want to step along that magically lit path and slip into the whirlpool spa to ease away the stresses of the day? We love the retreat-like feel of it, which is enhanced by the addition of lanterns and candles around the edges.

'This spa has a light inside it to give it form but there are also up-lit pleached pear trees around it,' says garden designer Charlotte Rowe. 'We also always recommend that natural lighting in the form of lanterns and night lights are used in addition to electric lighting.'

When it comes to backyard lighting ideas, don't forget battery operated flameless candles as they're one of the easiest ways and best backyard ideas on a budget to create the right mood. You can set the timers on them so they come on automatically at dusk too.

12. Throw the spotlight on trees

(Image credit: Alun Callender/Future)

Discreet backyard lighting ideas can be used to create a showpiece for a welcoming ambience in the evening garden. Trees take on architectural qualities when lit up from beneath, the angled uplighters enhancing the shape of leaves and the structure of trunks and branches. This will add drama that can be enjoyed from inside the house too.

Choose uplighters that are recessed into the ground. Alternatively set lights on moveable spikes for illuminating the trunks and branches of specimen trees, as they can be shifted both to suit the mood and according to the seasons. When one tree has had its moment simply switch the focus to another one by shifting the light.

13. Illuminate the pool at night time

(Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)

Pool lighting ideas are so inviting for a night-time dip and if you're entertaining in the garden add a Hamptons-like vibe when dusk falls. What could be more alluring than a well-lit pool?

In this design by John Cullen Lighting the trees bordering the pool are also lit up with spotlights to emphasize their architectural qualities, while up-lighters are used on the house to add a welcoming glow.  

In the distance a combination of spike floodlights and spotlights enhance the perimeter planting, helping to pull the whole look together seamlessly.

14. Use different layers for the best effects

James Alexander-Sinclair/Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architect

(Image credit: James Alexander-Sinclair/Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architect)

This small split level garden uses mellow sandstone for the paving and steps that looks spectacular bathed in warm light at night. 'Lighting is a very important part of this backyard as it gives a new dimension and feel to the space,' explains landscape architect Stefano Marinaz . 

For this project there were three different channels of lighting, one for the trees, one for the steps and bench, and the third for the recessed lights at the back of the yard so the client could control what they wanted on/off independently from the other group of lights. 

'The LED lights used for this project consisted of a sequence of recessed spotlights along the steps from the first floor down to the ground floor level of the garden,' explains Stefano. 'We included a spike LED light under each of the multi-stem Amelanchier trees.

'Underneath the limestone solid block seating we had a recessed channel for an LED strip light. At the end of the garden we used some recessed small uplights to wash the timber cladding.' 

Look at backyard lighting ideas in terms of different layers for spectacular results to achieve an effect like the one in this space.

15. Highlight your home's architecture

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton )

Backyard lighting ideas aren't just about showing off garden features, such as plants and containers. You should also consider how the lighting might show off your home. 

'This type of backyard lighting can focus on the house,' says Lucy Searle. 'But it might also be used to illuminate other structures within your property, such as a pool house or garden room. Doing so won't just allow you to see the beauty of your home's architecture in a different light – literally – it will also make your outdoor space feel larger at night. '

How do you illuminate a backyard?

To light a backyard, first decide on the look you want to achieve and which areas demand special attention in terms of outdoor lighting. Choose what you want to throw the spotlight on, whether that's trees, an entrance, a pergola or a water feature.

Draw up a plan, working out what each area needs, then talk through your ideas with an electrician. Unless you’re using solar-powered lights you’ll need a power supply which means outdoor sockets and a switch plus armored cabling for safety. This will need to be installed professionally. 

LED lights are energy efficient and there is now a huge range available to choose from. If your garden is sunny consider solar-powered lighting but remember it’s not such a good option in winter. Avoid flooding the garden with light as it can look too harsh and you won't achieve the type of ambient glow that works best.

How can I light my backyard without electricity?

Backyard lighting has been revolutionized by improved LEDs, which are energy efficient and one of the safest options for outdoors without needing electricity cables and a power supply.  So if you are wondering how much outdoor lighting costs, this will be a consideration.

Look for warm white LED bulbs that can be clipped to outdoor structures like fences or pergolas so you can make more of your space in the evening by creating a more intimate setting. Choose inter-connecting sets if you want an easy option for lighting a bigger party space. To create atmosphere also consider flameless electric candles or real candles in hurricane lamps.

With the exception of solar powered lighting and candles, all other garden lights need to be connected to the mains. Solar lights can be used to edge paths and patios, and enhance planting. Some are suitable to use as spotlights too. They’re most effective in an open spot that gets enough sunlight and naturally their performance is not as good in winter. 

There’s now a huge choice of LED lights available that work well for backyard lighting ideas, including a range of quality ones can last up to 20 years. 

Lighting in the yard of a private house (50 photos): norms, requirements, purpose of lanterns Therefore, in this article we will consider in detail how to make lighting in the courtyard of a private house in accordance with its parameters and tasks.

Norms and requirements

When designing and installing street lighting in the yard, it is important to be guided by the basic standards, which in the future will ensure not only the convenience of using the adjacent area, but also human safety:

Purpose of lamps

The location of the lamps in the courtyard is determined by the need to illuminate a particular area: an entrance, a garden path, a flower bed or a pond. Depending on the tasks set, yard lighting devices can be divided into several categories.

Functional lighting

The main task of functional lighting is to provide sufficient visibility in any area. Due to this type of lighting in the yard, you can ensure safe movement after dark.

Various types of lighting equipment can be installed for street lighting:

In addition to a powerful luminous flux, functional lighting should also provide a minimum power consumption, so LED lights should be used here.

Security

Designed solely to prevent unauthorized entry of strangers into the yard or near it. It is used to illuminate any part of your house, space, area, etc. Constantly on light at the entrance gate, fence, or generally around the perimeter provides good visibility, but this is too costly. Therefore, it is desirable to automate security lighting from a motion sensor, so that lighting devices act as an alarm signaling the approach of a person.

Decorative

Used to decorate the territory of the yard, its individual sections, flowerbeds, vegetation, ponds, stairs. Street lighting helps to effectively highlight important elements in the garden, act as architectural lighting. For decorative lighting, spotlights, spotlights, and LED strips are equally used. An important criterion when choosing a particular equipment is its compliance with landscape design and the general style of buildings in symbiosis with which they will be used.

Festive

Festive courtyard lighting is designed to decorate the territory for a certain event - New Year, birthday and others. Unlike the previous type, they are installed temporarily - in relation to some kind of holiday. Here you can also use architectural illumination, illumination of paths, decoration of arbors, terraces. Garlands, LED strips and themed lamps are used as yard lighting devices.

Choosing the right luminaires

It should be noted that the choice of lighting devices for suburban areas and private houses should be carried out according to three main criteria:

According to the type of light distribution, all outdoor lighting devices are divided into:

According to the method of location relative to the supporting and mounting structures, fastenings to the surface are divided: It is good to install on terraces, under a roof at the entrance, near the walls of buildings.

  • Floor lamps - suitable for garden paths, playgrounds, driveways, etc.
  • Recessed - cover a huge segment of lighting devices that can be mounted in walls to illuminate the facade, ground, ceiling and other surfaces, depending on your needs.
  • On a short stem - used as a decorative lighting area, paths or perimeter.

Selecting the type of lighting control

Depending on the frequency of use, all outdoor lighting devices can be divided into devices with automatic and manual switching. The first method is relevant for those houses where the light in the courtyard should light up with the onset of darkness and go out with the first rays of dawn. If you want to control the lighting process yourself, it is better to install a manual or mechanical switch.

Mechanical

Key switches or contactors are installed in the yard to implement mechanical switching on of lighting in the yard. The first option is used for low power loads, when one switch drives several LED lights with low power. The contactor is used to switch powerful lighting in the yard when you have several lighting groups installed that create a large load. At the same time, it is possible to divide all groups of courtyard lighting under several key switches or buttons if you start them with a remote control.

Automatic

Lighting automation makes it possible to exclude the human factor from the control of the switching process as much as possible. This will allow you not to worry about the backlight during your absence or eliminate the need to constantly turn on and off the lighting fixtures in the yard.

To implement automatic lighting, the following can be introduced into the power supply circuit of LED spotlights:

  • photorelay – turns on courtyard lighting when it gets dark;
  • motion sensor - supplies power only when moving in a given area of ​​space;
  • time relay - allows you to set the program for turning on and off in a certain time interval (from a daily schedule to several minutes).

All of the above automations can be installed separately or together. For this, a serial connection scheme is used, as shown in the figure below:

Nuances of electrical work

When installing and connecting lighting fixtures in the yard, several important nuances should be taken into account:

  • Before starting work, draw up a courtyard lighting scheme tied to the territory plan - this will save time and money spent on incorrect calculations.
  • It is more expedient to lay the electric cable in the ground - this will preserve the aesthetics of the yard, while the depth of occurrence, at the same time, should be at least 0.8 m.
  • All luminaires must be certified for outdoor use. Otherwise, over time, the case may collapse from the effects of atmospheric factors.
  • Connection points and connections of supply wires must be sealed with a sealed box to prevent moisture ingress.
  • Street wires running along the open part of the facades must be protected from exposure to sunlight.
  • You can install solar-powered LED lamps, but you won't get much light from them.

Beautiful photo ideas

References

  • Kozlovskaya V.B., Radkevich V.N., Satsukevich V.N. "Electric lighting" 2011
  • Ktitorov A.F. "Practical guide to the installation of electrical lighting" 1990
  • V.M.Zhabtsev "Big book of electrician" 2017
  • G.M.Knorring, I.M.Fadin, V.N.Sidorov "Reference book for the design of electrical lighting" All about electrical. Modern Illustrated Encyclopedia» 2016

How to make effective lighting in the yard

It is very important to properly organize the lighting in your yard. This ensures the safety of the site and also makes your yard more attractive.

Lighting in the yard can be made independently, with your own hands. The most important thing is to understand what exactly you want to do, what lamps to use.

Brief content of the article:

Why do we need lights in the yard? To create an atmosphere, for protection, or will it be a decorative function?

Courtyard lighting methods are divided into the following:

Functional lighting helps to move safely at night. Such lighting includes lamps on garden paths, steps or on the porch.

Small luminaires with short legs are ideal. Modern models can work on a solar battery.

Security lighting is used to guard the yard. This option includes lanterns on poles that illuminate the entire perimeter of the yard, entrances and exits, parking for cars.

If you want to save money, it is recommended to use spotlights equipped with motion sensors. These lamps will turn on only if a moving object appears in the sensor zone.

To get an idea of ​​how it looks like, you can see a photo of the courtyard lighting with such a system.

A decorative way to highlight the most important corners of your yard. The illumination of fountains, ponds, sculptures looks very beautiful.

A landscaper's recommendation is that all lighting fixtures fit in with the overall design of your yard.

Festive option - these are lanterns or garlands that help create the mood for the holiday. For example, it can be a birthday or a New Year celebration. Most often decorate trees (Christmas trees) or garden buildings.

Yard Lighting Selection Rules

In order for your yard to be properly lit, you need to choose the right lights. Be sure to pay attention to the technical characteristics of the devices - they must be moisture resistant, have protection from dust.

Don't forget about efficiency and, if possible, give preference to models that are powered by solar panels.

If necessary, choose floodlights equipped with LED lamps. This will save you a lot of money.

Type of lighting control

Which type of lighting control you choose will determine your convenience in the future.

Mechanical control - this is turning the lighting on and off in manual mode. The advantages of this method include energy savings. You will independently regulate when the street lighting of the yard should be turned on.

Automatic control saves time spent switching on and off. When installing a programmable system, you can set the schedule for the lights to illuminate the yard when the light should turn on or off.

Some owners of private houses do not dare to connect automation for courtyard lighting. However, this system has many advantages:

Convenience. You do not need to get up every time to turn on and off the lighting if someone decides to come to visit late in the evening or, on the contrary, leaves the guests.

Energy saving. Lighting turns on automatically as soon as it gets dark outside and turns off at sunrise.

There is another type of lighting that involves the installation of motion sensors and photocells that activate the lighting of the courtyard immediately after sunset.

This variant automatically adjusts the intensity of the yard lights, depending on the natural light.

Thanks to sensors, the yard will be illuminated as soon as movement is detected. This allows you to control the safety of the site, as well as prudent use of electricity.

The advantages include creating the appearance that someone is in the house. This allows the owners of the house to go on vacation calmly and not worry that the robbers may suspect the absence of the owners.

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