6 Ideas for Beautiful Backyard Lighting

Looking for ideas to spruce up your backyard this spring?

As the weather starts to warm up, people start spending more and more time outdoors. Start looking ahead to when you'll be hosting friends and family this spring and summer, and spruce up your backyard lighting.

We are sharing six easy ways to add some DIY lighting to your outdoor entertaining space. Plus, we'll show you some of the most amazing ways homeowners have executed these ideas so that you can become truly inspired!

Image source: The Design Hunters

1. Mason Jar Tealights

If you want to add a bit of charm and light to your outdoor entertaining space, mason jars lights are a quick and easy solution. You may even have some spare jars laying around.

One of the nice things about this approach is that you can display them in a variety of ways. You can hang them from a pergola, tree, or awning; set them on your outdoor dining table; or  attach them to ground hooks or posts to keep them lower for a bit of ambiance.

Bonus: You can easily bring these inside to protect from the elements or to get a cozy indoor atmosphere for a special occasion.

Image source: 17 Apart

2. Decorative Glowing Orbs

If you have a really nicely landscaped backyard or have flowerbeds or large flower pots framing your outdoor entertaining space, you should definitely consider adding some light with this unique approach. 

These glowing orbs are a really fun DIY project and add the perfect amount of light for enjoying conversations under the stars late into the evening. You can either fill these orbs with string lights or even try out some glow-in-the-dark paint for no fuss lighting that will automatically come on once the sun goes down. This can be a fun project for the whole family to do together!

Glowing orbs can be placed around the garden, displayed on stone walls, or hung from pergolas and trees.

Image source: The Art of Doing Stuff

3. Birthday Themed String Lights

If you find yourself throwing a summer birthday bash and you are looking for a fun and creative way to light your outdoor space for the occasion, you should definitely give this tutorial a try. This is a fun way to be creative while incorporating lighting into a party that may go from day to night.

You can even get your kids in on this project. Before the party, have whomever's birthday it is pick out his or her favorite party hats. Then your child can help with the project and see it come to life once the sun goes down. If the party already has a theme, you can go with matching hats. If the party is for an adult or teenager, choose something colorful but not too childish. 

In fact, if you choose basic colors without any birthday-specific designs, you can use these for any backyard get-together.

Image source: Crème de la Craft

4. Solar Light Chandelier

If you are envisioning a more classic, upscale outdoor space, but you still want to add some DIY lighting, a chandelier made with solar lights might be just the ticket.

You can buy solar lights in a variety of shapes and styles, and second-hand chandeliers are easily found at most thrift stores. Be sure to think outside the box, as not all chandeliers will look perfect in the store, but with a bit of love and spray paint, can easily be transformed into your perfect outdoor lighting source.

The nice thing about this lighting solution is that it will intuitively turn on as the sun goes down, and you won't have to remember to turn it off after a long evening of entertaining!

Image source: Home Jelly

5. Hula Hoop Chandelier

If you have a large outdoor dining table or even a more casual lounge space with plenty of seating, you will definitely need a bigger lighting source to adequately brighten the entire area. Since most hula hoops are several feet in diameter, they serve as the perfect base for a larger chandelier.

You can grab your favorite string lights, either multi-colored for a fun décor element or bright white for a little more light, some thick twine or spray paint for covering the hula hoop, and you are all set to start creating! If you want to add some drama to your entertaining space, use icicle lights and allow the small strings to hang from the hoop for maximum effect.

Tip: Use a wreath for a more rustic look.

Image source: wikiHow

6. Wine Bottle Torch Lanterns

If you're saving a few empty wine bottles for that perfect rainy-day DIY project, hopefully this idea will be the inspiration you've been waiting for. If you have an outdoor entertaining space, these wine-bottle torches are a great way to add ambiance, lighting, and mosquito repellent!

With just a few simple items, this allows for a more permanent solution to your outdoor lighting needs and will draw many compliments for your guests all summer long. This option will require a proper components, but will give you a simple, yet high-end, finished look. You will find all of the necessary pieces at your local hardware store to make it extra easy.

Once you're done, simply arrange the bottles as a centerpiece for your outdoor dining table and enjoy the benefits of a romantic, mosquito-free setting all summer long. You could also brace your recycled wine bottle torches to fence posts around your yard to beautifully light the whole area.

Image source: Redeem Your Ground