22 Landscape Lighting Ideas for a Nighttime Display

The right exterior lighting can turn your outdoor space into an extension of your interior, giving you extra square footage for dining, entertaining, and relaxing. Front porch lighting creates a warm welcome for your guests, while overhead light fixtures let your dinner parties extend until long after sunset. Path and boundary lighting illuminates trip hazards for added safety, and decorative uplighting shows off your gardening efforts.

Incorporate these clever ideas for beautiful outdoor lighting into your landscaping plan and turn your outdoor spaces into your new favorite spots.

Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen
Janice Parker, landscape architect

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Create Ambient Lighting

ambient lighting patio — Credit:
Yardzen

In outdoor gathering areas, the goal is "intimate and warm light," says Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen. This means choosing lighting that won't blind your guests during an al fresco dinner or evening fire pit gathering. Sconces placed slightly away from seating areas, ground-level lanterns, and string lights at a slight distance create an ambient glow.

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Light Up Your Pathways

stone pathway lighting — Credit:
Ecolawn SB / Design by Yardzen

Lighting your pathways is a matter of safety—not just style. "You can tuck path lights near or even in plantings along the edge to keep them more discreet and avoid them being a trip hazard themselves," says Lenhart. "Lights can alternate sides along the path or stick to one edge—either option looks sharp."

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Add Hanging Light Fixtures

outdoor hanging light fixture — Credit:
Design by Yardzen and Eyeforpretty

Few elements can make your outdoor space feel as comfortable as a hanging light fixture (or several). "Hanging lights bring an indoor style to outdoor spaces, creating a sleek and elevated feel," says Lenhart. "Hanging lights are an effective way to make a big impact with one lighting element. Just remember that you should consider the size and height of the space so that your showstopper doesn’t over- or underwhelm."

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Balance Indoor and Outdoor Lighting

ambient lighting indoors — Credit:
Yardzen

Interior fixtures also provide ambient light—especially if your gathering area is just outside a set of sliding doors or an oversized window. While designing your exterior lighting plan, note the placement and brightness of inside lamps to create a cohesive result.

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Use Overhead Bistro Lights

bistro lighting over fire pit — Credit:
Ebbe Yovino-Smith / Design by Yardzen and Goldenbird Design

Bistro lighting is popular for a reason. It's easy to install, feels fun and festive, and works in spaces of all sizes. "Bistro lights are a charming option for creating that romantic feel reminiscent of your favorite restaurant garden patio in your backyard," says Lenhart. "We recommend just keeping them to small spaces, as you can go overboard with too many."

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Add Bistro Lights to Railings

bistro lighting on railing — Credit:
Yardzen

For a more subtle installation, attach bistro lights to your fence or railing; this allows them to blend into the background when not illuminated.

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Choose Striking Sconces

outdoor sconces — Credit:
Studio Magnolia / Design by Yardzen and DailyDigs

Outdoor lights don't have to be dull: Consider your exterior fixtures with the same care you put into your interior choices. "While it’s important to have path and landscape lighting for safety and ambiance, and those tend to be a bit more utilitarian, you have more room to play in your gathering spaces," says Lenhart. "If your style leans more toward farmhouse, a few boxy lantern sconces with black metal frames and glass panels on your front porch can tie in nicely to your exterior style and help transition your curb appeal from day to night."

08 of 22

Show Off Your Best Trees

Tree uplighting is a "go-to technique," says landscape architect Janice Parker, who uses in-ground, low-wattage bulbs to light the main trunk. "We like to use a number of well lights placed under a tree to highlight the tree branching structure all the way to the top," she says. "It’s a beautiful effect and always has a warm and dramatic effect—the trees look perfect at night. Imperfections and brown leaves just disappear."

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Uplight Showstopper Plants

plant uplighting — Credit:
Jenni Soi Fine Art Photography for Yardzen

Show off your best plants with dramatic uplighting. "You can create drama and visual interest by using a pattern of darker and bright spaces," says Lenhart. "For instance, try a few key uplights at the foot of a sculptural plant or along fences."

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Incorporate Your Windows

glass reflection uplighting — Credit:
Janice Parker Landscape Architects

For this exterior, Parker designed a plan that allows the outdoor uplighting to reflect off a wall of glass for maximum impact. "The addition of sconce lights on the building adds warmth and interest. The light reflection against the stone texture adds a rustic effect to the light reflection in the smooth glass," she says.

Install timers or smart lighting controls to make your setup both convenient and energy-efficient. Automating your lights to turn on at dusk and off at a set time not only saves energy but also adds security when you're not home. Another bonus: Many smart systems let you adjust your lighting remotely from your phone.

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Light the Landscaping Around Your Pool

pool illumination — Credit:
Janice Parker Landscape Architects

Lighting your pool allows for a summer of night swimming—but don't forget thoughtful landscape lighting near your pool deck, too. "Single lights between the trees graze all of the outer branches—this is a good way to light smaller trees that are in a group," says Parker. "This is a strong landscape statement in the daylight and can become even stronger at night. The tree grove beyond the pool is reflected in the dark water surface."

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Illuminate the Boundaries

fence lighting — Credit:
Design by Yardzen / photo and installation by Ecolawn SB

Hidden lighting along a fence line helps your space feel enclosed and secure—and prevents tripping and other hazards. "If you don’t like LEDs for overhead or mounted lighting, that’s understandable, but for pathways and safety lighting, low voltage LEDs are really the way to go," says Lenhart.

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Incorporate a Brighter Awning

The same awning that protects your space from being too bright during the day can turn a dark patio into an evening retreat with integrated lighting along the edges. Pair it with ground-level candlelit lanterns for a layered lighting scheme.

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Get Colorful

colored outdoor lighting — Credit:
Markilux

Show off your bright personality—and brighter design sense—with flush-mount fixtures in a rainbow of shades. Green, pink, and purple create a party-ready atmosphere (or add a little extra whimsy to your neighborhood movie night).

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Use Standalone Lighting

outdoor table lamp — Credit:
Per Magnus Persson / Getty

Homeowners who aren't able to invest in major electrical work can opt for small, battery-powered lamps that cast a sophisticated glow on intimate dining tables or in cozy seating areas—without requiring an outlet.

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Embed Your Lights

embedded stair lighting — Credit:
Buddha Builders & Yardzen

"For modern designs, embedded lights are an easy way to ramp up the sense of style," says Lenhart. "Stair risers, new retaining walls, or deck edges are all excellent candidates for embedded lights; just be sure to direct any upward-facing lights away from walkways to avoid glare."

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Illuminate a Pergola

Lenhart recommends installing lights that cast their glow downward to create a cozy mood. Overhead string lights on pergola slats let your dinner party go from cocktails to late-night without the need to relocate.

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Add Solar Lighting

Night View Of Flowerbed With Flowers Illuminated By Energy-Saving Solar Powered Lanterns Along Path Causeway On Courtyard Going To The House — Credit: bruev / Getty Images

Solar lighting is another practical option for homeowners who aren't able to run electricity through their landscaping. These lights charge during the day and then light your space after the sun sets—a simple, low-commitment way to add safety lighting to pathways, decorative wall lighting with sconces, or ground lighting with solar globes.

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Light Your Fire Pit Area

Large Column Fire Feature — Credit:
Marcus Nilsson

While an outdoor fireplace or fire pit provides plenty of its own light, adding bistro lighting and lanterns is key for safety and ambiance. Ground-level lighting allows you to spot potential tripping hazards, while overhead lights—especially when strung between potted trees—make the space feel enclosed and homey.

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Create a Welcoming Entryway

ENTRY WAY LANDSCAPE LIGHTING — Credit:
onurdongel / Getty

When creating your exterior lighting plan, don't forget your front entry. Solar lights, sconces, and pretty pendants boost your home's curb appeal, keep your porch safe and welcoming, and illuminate the rest of your exterior decor.

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Illuminate a Grassy Pavilion

Lights in a garden — Credit:
Getty / welcomia

A beautifully landscaped garden is the perfect place for entertaining, especially on hot summer nights. Some simple architectural lighting can keep the party going all evening long—place each lamp among your plants for a more lived-in, organic look.

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Light a Sitting Area

These days, it's all about indoor-outdoor living, and that goes for the dining room too. If you've moved your dinner party outside, it's important to add a bit of lighting to the mix. We recommend keeping it simple and atmospheric—that way your garden can really shine.