Light Up Your Patio in 10 Ways
Make the most of your patio with lighting that takes it from a sunny daytime spot to beautifully lit-up evening area
Lara Sargent
15 June 2017
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Be it a small decked area or a magnificent ‘outdoor room’, there are so many ways to light up your patio, from a sophisticated hi-tech scheme to a simple row of candles and string of fairy lights. Choose from subtle wall washers to highlight architectural features, spotlights that cast a shadowy glow on your prized plants and coloured LEDs embedded in the floor for a creative touch. Then, in any season, you can happily switch on the lights and take in the delights of your lit-up garden from the comfort of your home.
Consider low-level illumination
This decked patio area with built-in seating is luxurious enough on its own, but the subtle wash of horizontal lighting at the ground level adds an extra special touch, and will ensure no one ever trips in the dark.
This decked patio area with built-in seating is luxurious enough on its own, but the subtle wash of horizontal lighting at the ground level adds an extra special touch, and will ensure no one ever trips in the dark.
Sprinkle with fairy lights
I love the simplicity of this lighting scheme, which you can easily emulate. Hang strings of fairy lights across a patio and transform any run-of-the-mill patch into the prettiest spot. Hide a few lights in the shrubbery, too, and with a quick flick of a switch, your garden will be filled with a magical ambience.
Be inspired by stylish ideas for small gardens
I love the simplicity of this lighting scheme, which you can easily emulate. Hang strings of fairy lights across a patio and transform any run-of-the-mill patch into the prettiest spot. Hide a few lights in the shrubbery, too, and with a quick flick of a switch, your garden will be filled with a magical ambience.
Be inspired by stylish ideas for small gardens
Maximise your patio day and night
Good lighting is imperative in a garden seating area, as this is where friends and family will congregate as day turns into night. Directional spots create a bright and focused stream of light, so you can make the most of a warm summer evening, even when darkness falls.
Good lighting is imperative in a garden seating area, as this is where friends and family will congregate as day turns into night. Directional spots create a bright and focused stream of light, so you can make the most of a warm summer evening, even when darkness falls.
Highlight your greenery
If you have an urban roof patio, don’t try to compete with the amazing cityscape by installing too many fussy lighting fixtures. Instead, highlight plants with hidden lighting for a modern, sculptural vibe, and pair with low washes of light so the space is warm and inviting, too.
If you have an urban roof patio, don’t try to compete with the amazing cityscape by installing too many fussy lighting fixtures. Instead, highlight plants with hidden lighting for a modern, sculptural vibe, and pair with low washes of light so the space is warm and inviting, too.
Mirror your lighting inside and out
To enhance the indoor/outdoor living vibe, your exterior should be lit as effectively as the inside of your house. Wall washers are a good lighting tool for your patio, as well as your kitchen, while spotlights flush-fitted into a run of steps ensure safe footing at night.
To enhance the indoor/outdoor living vibe, your exterior should be lit as effectively as the inside of your house. Wall washers are a good lighting tool for your patio, as well as your kitchen, while spotlights flush-fitted into a run of steps ensure safe footing at night.
Cast an evening glow with candles
Candles are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to light up your patio at night. Place clusters of oversized church candles together in groups and let the mood take on a romantic glow. (just remember to blow them out before you go to bed!)
Read tips for throwing the perfect garden party
Candles are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to light up your patio at night. Place clusters of oversized church candles together in groups and let the mood take on a romantic glow. (just remember to blow them out before you go to bed!)
Read tips for throwing the perfect garden party
Be creative with flames
A sinuous fire pit is a stunning addition to any patio, as it will offer warmth and light at the same time during winter. And don’t you adore the lampshade-style pendant light over the table? It takes the ‘garden as extra room’ concept to a whole new level.
A sinuous fire pit is a stunning addition to any patio, as it will offer warmth and light at the same time during winter. And don’t you adore the lampshade-style pendant light over the table? It takes the ‘garden as extra room’ concept to a whole new level.
Mix old and new
Period properties and traditional patios can take modern lights just as well as a contemporary garden. Use a mix of lanterns, spotlights-on-sticks and wall washers to sparkling effect.
Period properties and traditional patios can take modern lights just as well as a contemporary garden. Use a mix of lanterns, spotlights-on-sticks and wall washers to sparkling effect.
Embed a colourful strip
This is a clever idea for any city courtyard. When laying a new patio, consider embedding a strip of colourful LEDs into the floor at the same time, creating different layers of light for different times of the day. These blue glass mosaics are backlit for a magical glow.
This is a clever idea for any city courtyard. When laying a new patio, consider embedding a strip of colourful LEDs into the floor at the same time, creating different layers of light for different times of the day. These blue glass mosaics are backlit for a magical glow.
Work in some drama
One for the dream wish list. This spectacular lighting scheme echoes the spectacular patio-by-the-pool structure. The waterfall of turquoise-illuminated ‘rain’ instils a soothing, mesmerising ambience, while inside, the top-notch patio is fully equipped with a bar, TV and its own sophisticated lighting scheme. Could an evening in the garden get any better?
Read more:
8 Outdoor Seating Spaces to Steal From
How to Turn Your Outdoor Space Into a Super Comfy Lounge
Tell us:
Have you installed a creative lighting scheme on your patio? Share your photos in the Comments below.
One for the dream wish list. This spectacular lighting scheme echoes the spectacular patio-by-the-pool structure. The waterfall of turquoise-illuminated ‘rain’ instils a soothing, mesmerising ambience, while inside, the top-notch patio is fully equipped with a bar, TV and its own sophisticated lighting scheme. Could an evening in the garden get any better?
Read more:
8 Outdoor Seating Spaces to Steal From
How to Turn Your Outdoor Space Into a Super Comfy Lounge
Tell us:
Have you installed a creative lighting scheme on your patio? Share your photos in the Comments below.
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Perhaps something more subtle, like Fibre Optics or LED Plinth Lights, available as single colour or colour changeable.
Outdoor LED Lighting
See more of our pics on Houzz
The ideas are really amazing and eye-catching. I added the garden screen panels to my garden and I must say that they look just amazing.
I ordered it from Metal Garden Screen and they installed it in a very professional way. These panels for gardens are also in a trending design.