One thing that can really brighten up your garden – literally – is lighting. From tiki torches and lanterns to string lights and candles, the possibilities for illuminating your outdoor space are nearly endless. Before selecting a type of light, it’s important to ask yourself what your goal is and what mood you’re trying to create – are you trying to cast a romantic spell? Shine a spotlight a particular area? Light a pathway? Once you’ve determined the purpose you want your lighting to serve, you’re ready to explore all the options – from soft and subtle to bold and bright.
String Lights
String lights aren’t just for Christmas trees anymore! These versatile lights can be strung along anything from trees to railings to fences to create that magical twinkly glow (which is especially important to us city dwellers who never get to see the stars). For those of us who are working with a smaller budget, Target has some great options:
For something more upscale, Terrain in Glen Mills, Pa., has some eclectic options that are also available for purchase on their website. One of my favorites is their festival string lighting. At $36 a strand, it’s not cheap, but the Terrain is known for its quality products, and the fun, vintage look it will give your garden makes it worth the extra cash.
Solar Powered Lights
Solar powered outdoor lighting is one of the newest trends in outdoor lighting. These lights store up the energy from the sunlight and use it to light up your outdoor space when the sun goes down! Solar powered lights are a great way to avoid an ugly tangled mess of extension cords, the hassle of replacing batteries, or even the safety concerns involved with candles.
Here are a few of my favorite designs from Target and Lowe’s:
Classic Candles
And, finally, a classic way to add ambiance outdoors is with candles – the citronella variety can also be an important way to keep the bugs at bay. I like these earthy looking options:
How do you light your outdoor space?
Urban Garden Girl 