Welcome to our gallery of bright backyard lighting ideas!
Are you proud of your backyard space? If so, you will likely want to show it off and spend as much time there as possible. While easy to do in the light of day, once the sun dips below the horizon your backyard space goes dark. Proper lighting can have you enjoying your space into the late hours.
Entertaining guests does not have to be saved for the day time. Great lighting can make your backyard the perfect party spot or the ideal environment for a romantic evening.
Proper illumination can let you see your space in a different light as well. Highlighting features at night can make the space look quite different from during the day, and can really transform the face of your backyard.
There are plenty of ways to light up your backyard. Lamps, bulbs, and strings of lights are all great options for bringing illumination to your backyard space. If you are looking for something that is more of an installation, there are a few options for you.
Well lights are lights that are installed into the ground. Typically these kinds of lights only have the top of the fixture exposed and cast their light upward out of the ground. Another option is accent bullet lighting. These lights are similar to well lighting but point their light to accent or highlight a specific feature in your yard.
Another way to bring light to your yard are with marker lighting fixtures. These features are stake mounted lights. These kinds of lights typically outline features, walkways, or driveways. Marker lighting fixtures are usually easy to install.
Step and path lighting is another kind of lighting that highlights walkways. This kind of light highlights the ground and/or steps. This lighting is great for improving safety. It can be costly, as it is often installed into steps, walls, or other fixtures that allow the lights to point down to the ground. Step and path lighting can be made with a variety of fixtures from pointed marker lights to recessed wells that are aimed at your steps and pathways.
A visually appealing option for backyard lighting is putting lighting into your water features. A light inside of your pond or pool can build great appeal for your space and illuminate fantastic features.
If your home does not have any outdoor lighting you may have to pay to wire your backyard for lighting installation. On average this type of installation costs around $700, though it may vary on the yard and extent of the work. If your yard only needs an update or upgrade it may cost closer to $500 on average.
The installation of in-ground well lights requires some preparation and, depending on how many lights and the complexity of the fixtures, can range from $210 to $680. Accent bullet lighting is less expensive with the range falling closer to $160 to $410.
Stake mounted marker lights are easy to install if your area is soil or soft enough so that the stakes can be pressed into the ground easily. Installing them into harder surfaces can be more challenging. Installing this kind of lighting can cost between $150 and $430.
Step and path lighting can be a project that is quite involved. The average cost for step lighting ranges from $310 to $830. When adding underwater lights, make sure that your fixtures can withstand the conditions in your pond or pool. These kinds of fixtures cost between $132 and $420. (Source: Red Beacon)
Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards!
A string of bulbs is a way to make your backyard space feel more lively and like an active party spot. This option does not require in depth installation and can be easily removed or replaced.
In this yard there is a half wall dividing the patio from the rest of the yard. In the half wall there is installed step and path lighting. This not only illuminates the patio with ambient light but highlights potential trip hazards that would otherwise be hard to see at night.
Sconce lighting is a great addition to structures like archways. The sconce lighting casts light upward at the structure and down at footpaths. In this picture there are also light fixtures in the fountain which highlight this stunning feature. Source: Zillow Digs™
Here we see step lighting highlighting stone stairs. Without these step lights, it may be difficult to see the steps late at night. Tripping down these stairs could potentially be dangerous. For safety alone these lights are worth their weight. It is a bonus that they look great too.
Lanterns make for a wonderful lighting feature as they cast a great deal of light over a large area. Also, lanterns can be quite stylish. There are plenty of styles that can fit any decorating elements you have. Source: Zillow Digs™
This cute outdoor lamp has a unique visual appeal. The light cube casts light in every direction. It also gives your backyard area a special draw. Learn more here.
A simple and effective outdoor lighting option is a single bright lantern placed up high. This drenches the area in light, making everything around illuminated and bright.
With an abundance of step and path lighting you can create a glow in your area. The light reflects off of the ground, creating an ambient light effect that is soft and bright. Source: Zillow Digs™
If you have a pavilion or overhang, you can bring typically indoor lighting to the outdoors. Here we see a chandelier hanging from an overhang on a lovely patio.
Placing lanterns along a structure is a good way to highlight the edge. These lanterns are around the perimeter of a deck. Learn more here.
Many homes decorate trees with strings of lights around the holidays, but these kinds of lights can be used to great effect all year round. This tree is well lit by yellow string lights, creating a romantic glow. Source: Zillow Digs™
Underwater lighting is an amazing way to highlight your pool. The light reflects on the lining of the pool and is deflected by the pool’s water, making the pool appear to glow. This can make the pool a big draw at night.
Here we see some interesting outdoor lanterns. These stylish lanterns work in almost any space and can build an interesting and alluring atmosphere. Learn more here.
Here is a unique and attractive backyard. There are a few different interesting lighting elements here that are very appealing. There is an outdoor bar that is completely illuminated from the inside, as well as a very large lantern shaped like an over-sized desk lamp. These creative lighting elements make this yard intriguing. Source: Zillow Digs™
Here is an overhang with a string of bulbs hanging down over a table and chairs. These bulbs create a close and intimate atmosphere for a nice dinner outside. See more of this home here. Designed by Baran Studio
One of the most classic sources of lighting aside from the sun is fire. Using fire is always an option for lighting up your space, as long as you are careful with it. You can do this through use of fire pits, torches, or lanterns. Fire gives an unmistakable and unique appeal to a space. Learn more here.
Hanging bulbs can be used in many ways. Stringing bulbs from trees is a great way to use nature to your advantage in your backyard. You can leave the bulbs bare to cast as much light in the area as possible or use a shade to direct and soften the light. Source: Zillow Digs™
If you don’t want the bulbs hanging down in drooping strings you can wrap them tightly around structures. This gives these structures a bit of a glow.
Sconce lighting on pillars and poles can highlight your fence area. If you have plants around your fences and you don’t others to tread on them, these lights can also make sure people will be able to see to avoid them. Learn more here
You can mix several kinds of lighting together to create a unique atmosphere. In this picture we see a number of different lighting elements working together to build a stunning light profile. Source: Zillow Digs™
One creative idea is to hang various contrasting lanterns from trees. In this picture, various lanterns hang around the space to create a floating-light effect. This can be a magical aesthetic.
The nice thing about a string of bulbs is that they can be strung between distant places, creating overhead light across that entire space. Learn more here.
A combination of well lights and underwater lights can give a backyard a glowing effect. This warm and welcoming ambiance makes it feel as though light is erupting from the ground. Source: Zillow Digs™
With multiple strings of bulbs you can cover an entire area with light. If you have enough, you can even make a ceiling of light. See more of this home here. Designed by Stocker Hoesterey Montenegro Architects.
If you have a small outdoor space to light up, a single hanging light can do the trick. There are so many styles of lights that you are sure to find a stylish and functional light to fit your space. Shop The Look
Tall lanterns are ideal for lining a path or driveway and guide people through the space. They are perfect for bridging the gap of light from one well-lit space to another. They can cast enough light to make things visible and don’t need to be too close together to be effective. Learn more here.
This chandelier provides a nice warm light to this backyard area. This is the type of lighting that is perfect for a romantic and intimate evening out in the yard. Source: Zillow Digs™
A string of LED lights is an amazing option for lining features of your back yard. This deck has a string of LEDs around the railing which perfectly outlines the space. Learn more here.
Here is a great example of path lighting that leads from one area to another. There is also accent lighting highlighting a feature on the wall. This draws the eye to the space and increases the visual appeal.
The proper well lights can fit in with all kinds of landscaping. Here we see square well lights fitting in with the masonry of the walkway. These integrate perfectly with the design, and are sleek and appealing. Source: Zillow Digs™
A string of bulbs looks great draped against a wall. The wall can be used as a backdrop to reflect the light back out into the area. Learn more here.
Contemporary Patio by Brooklyn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers New Eco Landscapes
Wall lighting is a great way to get lighting into your backyard without much installation. In a space like this it is likely the best idea to integrate the lighting into the walls. The space is small enough that the wall lighting does a good job of illuminating the space.
Transitional Landscape by Lake Mary Design-Build Firms Dave Brewer Homes
Here we see a bridge over water in this backyard. The lighting on the poles are staggered from one side to the other. This gives the lights a pattern that is appealing and visually interesting.
Beach Style Landscape by Geelong Interior Designers & Decorators Simpatico Interior Design
This curved half wall is lined with path lighting while the walls around the yard have accent lighting to shine light upward on the walls. The combination of these lighting elements build a warm and soft ambient light profile.
Modern Landscape by Brooklyn Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Little Miracles Designs
Here is a backyard with an interesting lighting setup. There is a long light placed underneath a bench making the underside of the bench glow. This is great for an ambient light and a warm welcoming appeal.
Contemporary Landscape by Austin Architects & Building Designers austin outdoor design
A combination of recessed and well lights gives this space a sleek and minimally intrusive lighting setup. These kinds of lights are a good way to keep your space simple and minimalistic but still well lit.
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