But your outdoor living room, gazebo ideas, and outdoor kitchen, a.k.a. alfresco palace really becomes art when
it's a backdrop for all the custom lighting and special
effects you can add.
Tea lights placed on tables,
candles in chandeliers, tiny strand lights strung among the
trees, and torches stationed around a pool are all examples of
ambient lighting.
Use these decorative outdoor lighting
ideas to light your space lively. Some of them need
electricity, while others need only
candles.
Ambient outdoor
decorative lighting:
Use ambient light to add
mystery and create a festive and romantic mood.
Unlike
task lighting, ambient lighting is subtle, not bold.
It
draws your attention to what's being illuminated and away from
other elements in the landscape. Candle
lanterns:
Dot your outdoor room with
a few groupings of translucent candle lanterns placed on
tables.
Use white and colorful votives and
sprinkle throughout the area to enjoy their cozy
ambiance.
Hanging glass
lanterns:
No need for wires to set the
mood.
Hang glass lanterns on hooks attached to metal
supports and stick the ends in the ground.
Lift up the
globe, light the candle, and dance the night
away.
Japanese
lanterns:
Both rice paper and
vinyl Japanese lanterns diffuse light and create a
festive mood.
To pair them with globe lights or fairy
lights, attach one bulb inside each lantern and hang in a row
along the upper reaches of the area.
String
lights:
Use these inexpensive string
lights in your outdoor decorative lighting scheme.
Wind them around tree trunks and tuck them among stems
on a fence or railing.
They can also be used to light
paper or vinyl lanterns for a real party
atmosphere.
Umbrella lights:
One way to create a very
effective patio or deck lighting effect is to install LED
garden lights inside a canvas table umbrella.
These
small fixtures direct the light up through the top of the
fabric, filtering a dramatic glow throughout the entire area.
An option for temporary treatments are low cost
clip lights.
Clip lights aren't weather resistant and
can short out, so remove them after the party is
over.
More expensive waterproof fixtures can be
installed permanently.
Torch
lights:
Torches come in a wide range of
colors, shapes, styles and materials.
Positioning
them around the pool, patio, and deck, along pathways or
around the perimeter of your
gazebo creates a festive
atmosphere for entertaining.
Use torches in any
low-traffic area of the landscape.
Torches use a
long-burning gel as a fuel source.
Let your
imagination soar:
Add a touch of crafty
enchantment and whimsy. Fashion your own lamp shade lighting.
Outdoor decorative lighting is fun to experiment with.
Don't be afraid to play with the number of lights,
play with the placement and combinations as well.
Every configuration creates a different mood or
effect.
For example, Japanese lanterns teamed with
strings of LED lights are surprisingly dramatic.
And
the beauty of umbrella lights when sharing glows with nearby
candles is a breathtaking sight.
So use outdoor
decorative lighting to stretch your imagination and
creativity.
A crystal chandelier, candleliers
(chandeliers with candles instead of bulbs),
sconces, table and floor lamps, battery powered canister
lights, chili-pepper lights, strands of
sparkling stars, tiny pinpoint lights, and whimsical
motifs like fish or chili-peppers instantly bring
elegance to your
outdoor room. They define the
room as a place for casual celebrations.
So remember, in the end it's all
about relaxing and having a good time with those you care
about.
Easy
Outdoor Decor 
Hanging glass
lanterns:
Torch
lights:
Add a touch of crafty
enchantment and whimsy. Fashion your own lamp shade lighting.