If your backyard looks more like the set of a low-budget horror film than a magical evening retreat, fear not!
We’ve scoured the globe—or at least the neighborhood hardware store—to bring you the top 10 brightest ideas for outdoor lighting that will have your home glowing like a star on Dancing with the Stars.
Whether you’re hosting a Pinterest-worthy dinner party or just trying to outshine your neighbor Steve (we see you, Steve), these ideas will light up your life.
1. String Lights: The Basic Babe’s Best Friend
Nothing says cozy chic like draping string lights on everything that doesn’t move. Trees? Lit. Fences? Lit. Your dog? Maybe not lit, but you get the picture.
Plus, if you hang enough, your backyard transforms into the kind of fairy-tale scene that makes even mosquitoes feel guilty for showing up uninvited.
2. Solar-Powered Path Lights: Saving the Planet One Tiny Glow at a Time
Solar-powered path lights are perfect for people who want to look environmentally conscious while secretly being too lazy to change batteries.
Just stick them in the ground, let the sun do its thing, and voilà—you now have a glowing trail to guide guests to your house (or their Uber).
3. Motion Sensor Lights: Because Intruders Hate Surprise Parties
Is it a prowler? A raccoon? Or are just you coming home late with a taco in hand? Motion sensor lights keep everyone guessing!
Nothing screams “Busted!” quite like a sudden floodlight when you’re sneaking out for midnight snacks.
4. Lanterns: Channel Your Inner 18th-Century Villager
Lanterns bring a rustic, romantic vibe to any outdoor space. Bonus points if you carry one dramatically like you’re searching for ghosts—or snacks.
Pro tip: Use LED candles to avoid actual flames unless you want your “glow up” to be very literal.
5. Color-Changing Smart Bulbs: Disco Fever for Your Deck
Why settle for boring white light when you can turn your patio into a full-blown light show? Sync smart bulbs to your music, and suddenly your backyard is the hottest club in town—cover charge: BYO snacks.
Your neighbors might not love it, but hey, someone’s got to be the fun one on the block.
6. Tiki Torches: Part Lighting, Part Mosquito Slaying Machine
Tiki torches give off “vacation in the tropics” vibes even if you’re just in the suburbs sweating in humidity.
Plus, with citronella fuel, they double as mosquito deterrents. Who knew you could fight bugs and look festive? A true win-win.
7. Glowing Orbs: For When You Want Guests to Say, “What Are Those?”
Glowing orbs are for people who think outside the box—literally.
Scatter these mysterious balls of light across your lawn and watch as your guests are mesmerized, confused, and impressed all at once. Lawn art + illumination = you, the backyard genius.
8. Floodlights: Because Sometimes Subtlety Is Overrated
Floodlights are the lighting equivalent of shouting, “LOOK AT MY HOUSE!” Perfect for security and for making sure your meticulously mowed lawn is appreciated in all its illuminated glory.
9. Fire Pits: The OG Outdoor Light
The fire pit is the ultimate centerpiece, providing warmth, light, and the ideal opportunity to pretend you’re a campfire storyteller.
“Gather ‘round, friends, for tales of…why I spent way too much money on landscaping.”
10. Glow-in-the-Dark Paint: DIY for the Truly Bold
If lights are too mainstream for you, grab some glow-in-the-dark paint and let your creativity run wild.
Paint rocks, garden gnomes, or even your lawn furniture. It’s bold, unexpected, and—bonus—practically impossible for your guests to lose their way.