When the warmer seasons come around, many of us like to spend some evenings (or most!) lounging in our yards and gardens. Having good outdoor lighting can make your outdoor space a usable and enjoyable spot to visit with loved ones, have a late snack, or sip a good glass of red. You can learn how to light your yard and garden yourself! Try these creative backyard lighting ideas and tutorials to get your yard in shape for when the sun goes down!

 

 

 

First of all we have a gorgeous backyard globe light set up by ‘Willow Jade Floral‘ in L.A. If I could have my whole backyard lighting set up look just like this! Can you see how much garden lighting adds to an outdoor room?

 

Make these geometric light columns with this tutorial from ‘Martha’. This uses just three simple materials, and would be great for a graduation or Fourth of July party. We love the way this backyard lighting idea reflects in the water and doubles the look.

 

From ‘House of Fifty’ magazine, make mason jar candle lanterns. These are easy, and who doesn’t love mason jars! Picture these as patio and outdoor lighting hung from trees or from the patio roof. Perfect for an evening party or get together.

 

Another version of a mason jar lantern, these we found on Pinterest but can’t find the original source. Please share if you know where these are from! We really like how they look hanging against the wood fence. It makes for a really rustic lighting idea, but if you do this, consider using LED candles instead.

 

This outdoor lighted cube table is a woodworking tutorial from ‘Lowes’… This would make additional backyard lighting in your patio area unnecessary!

 

A great idea from ‘Sunset‘… hang tea light lanterns from different heights as an outdoor chandelier. You could replicate this look with the mason jar lanterns as well.

 

Robin at ‘All Things Heart and Home’ has a tutorial for her easy DIY outdoor chandelier made from grapevine balls. We love this backyard lighting idea!

 

Ok, these are just cool. These are cracked log lamps made by artist Duncan Meerding, via ‘Recycled Interiors’. You have to go check out how he makes these! I would love these all through a woodland garden. Fairy garden!

 

Love the idea of string lights, but want to make it really amazing? Just use this photo from ‘Fondly Forever‘ to inspire you! If you can hang Christmas lights, you can use these backyard lighting ideas.

 

Use uplighting to brighten dark corners or to light focal plantings at night. If you don’t have electricity available, there are plenty of solar flood light options at the local home improvement store. Photo by Laura Joliet for ‘The NY Times‘.

 

Try lighting the pass through areas between yards to add dimension to your outdoor space. The posts they used are simply placed into buckets of quick setting concrete. They can be easily moved and have enough weight to hold the light strings well. Photo by ‘Martha‘.

 

Finally we have these moonlight globes from ‘Home Infatuation’… These. Are. Cool. Not cheap, but amazingly cool! They can float, or be mounted, and can be recharged over and over.

 

We loved sharing these creative backyard lighting ideas with you! We think you will also enjoy our posts on How to Add Whimsy to Your Garden and How to Install Low Voltage Lighting in Your Garden! Don’t forget to Pin your favorite for later!

Image Credits: Laura Joilet/ NY Times, Willow Jade Floral, Martha, House of Fifty, Pinterest, Lowes, Sunset, All Things Heart and Home, Recycled Interiors, Fondly Forever, Martha, Home Infatuation