16+ Creative Inexpensive Outdoor Lighting Ideas

Creating a magical outdoor atmosphere doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a little creativity and the right lighting, you can turn your backyard into a dreamy retreat.

1. Mason Jar Solar Lights

Mason jar solar lights add charm to any garden.
Mason jar solar lights add charm to any garden.

Create mason jar solar lights by adding small solar panels to the lids. They glow beautifully and are a charming addition to my garden.

Explore these options:

  • Mason Jar Lids with Solar Panels: Transform your mason jars into glowing lights with these easy-to-install solar lids.
  • Hanging Hook Chains for Mason Jars: Hang your mason jars securely and elegantly with these durable hook chains.
  • LED Fairy String Lights for Mason Jars: Enhance your jars’ charm with delicate LED string lights for a warm ambiance.

2. Driftwood and Lights

Driftwood and lights evoke a beachy atmosphere.
Driftwood and lights evoke a beachy atmosphere.

Combine driftwood with LED lights for a natural, beachy vibe. In my yard, they remind me of relaxing coastal getaways.

You might like:

  • Natural Driftwood Pieces: Enhance your outdoor space with natural driftwood pieces for a rustic, beachy ambiance.
  • Warm White LED String Lights: Wrap these warm white LED string lights around driftwood for a cozy evening glow.
  • Outdoor LED Landscape Spotlights: Illuminate your driftwood displays beautifully with adjustable outdoor LED landscape spotlights.

3. String Lights for a Starry Night

String lights bring a touch of magic to any outdoor space.
String lights bring a touch of magic to any outdoor space.

There’s nothing quite like string lights to mimic the beauty of a starry night. I love draping them across my patio to create a warm, inviting glow.

A few things you might like:

  • Outdoor String Lights with Warm White Bulbs: Enhance your patio ambiance with charming, warm white string lights. Perfect for a cozy gathering.
  • Weatherproof LED String Lights: Illuminate your outdoor space with durable, weatherproof LED lights, safe for all seasons.
  • Solar-Powered String Lights for Outdoors: Save energy with solar-powered string lights, ideal for eco-friendly outdoor lighting solutions.

4. Hanging Bulbs for an Artistic Touch

Hanging bulbs create an artistic focal point.
Hanging bulbs create an artistic focal point.

Hang individual bulbs from tree branches for a unique, artistic display. In my backyard, they create a stunning visual centerpiece.

Products that could assist:

  • Outdoor String Lights with Hanging Bulbs: Transform your backyard with elegant string lights, perfect for creating a cozy, artistic atmosphere.
  • Solar-Powered Outdoor Bulbs: Save energy by using solar-powered bulbs that automatically light up your outdoor spaces at night.
  • Weatherproof Light Bulb Sockets: Ensure your hanging bulbs last longer with weatherproof sockets designed for outdoor use.

5. Bottle Lamps for a Personal Touch

Bottle lamps add a personal and whimsical touch.
Bottle lamps add a personal and whimsical touch.

Transform empty bottles into lamps with fairy lights inside. I enjoy how these personalized pieces light up my patio.

A few relevant products:

  • LED Fairy String Lights: Enhance your bottles with LED fairy lights for a beautiful and ambient patio glow.
  • Rechargeable Cork Lights: Add a whimsical touch with rechargeable cork lights that fit snugly in bottle tops.
  • Solar Bottle Light Kit: Illuminate sustainably with solar-powered bottle lights for eco-friendly outdoor decoration.

6. Fairy Lights for Whimsy

Fairy lights create a whimsical atmosphere in any setting.
Fairy lights create a whimsical atmosphere in any setting.

Wrap fairy lights around trees or shrubs for a whimsical effect. In my garden, they turn ordinary foliage into magical displays.

A few helpful options:

  • Outdoor Solar Fairy Lights: Illuminate your garden sustainably with solar-powered fairy lights; no wiring or outlets needed.
  • Waterproof LED String Lights: Enhance your outdoor ambiance with waterproof LED strings, perfect for any weather conditions.
  • Battery Operated Fairy Lights: Enjoy easy, flexible decoration with battery-operated fairy lights; no electrical outlets required.

7. Curtain Lights for a Dramatic Effect

Curtain lights provide a stunning, dramatic effect.
Curtain lights provide a stunning, dramatic effect.

Install curtain lights along walls or pergolas for a dramatic, cascading effect. It’s my go-to for creating an enchanting backdrop.

Possibly handy products:

  • String Curtain Fairy Lights: Elevate your outdoor ambiance with shimmering string lights ideal for pergola decorations.
  • Outdoor LED Curtain Lights: Transform your garden with outdoor LED curtain lights for a mesmerizing, cascading glow.
  • Waterfall Curtain String Lights: Create a waterfall of light with these enchanting string lights for any outdoor setting.

8. Rope Lights for a Modern Feel

Rope lights offer a sleek and modern touch.
Rope lights offer a sleek and modern touch.

Add a modern twist with rope lights along railings or fences. In my backyard, they give a sleek, contemporary vibe.

A few choices to try:

  • Outdoor Waterproof LED Rope Lights: Illuminate your backyard with these waterproof LED rope lights for a sleek, modern ambiance.
  • Solar-Powered Rope Lights for Outdoors: Opt for eco-friendly solar-powered rope lights to enhance your outdoor space effortlessly.
  • Flexible Rope Lights for Fences: Install flexible rope lights along fences for a contemporary and stylish backyard vibe.

9. Solar Lights for Eco-Friendly Illumination

Solar lights provide an eco-friendly lighting solution.
Solar lights provide an eco-friendly lighting solution.

Install solar lights for an energy-efficient solution that charges during the day. I love how they automatically light up my pathways at dusk.

Try these:

  • Solar Pathway Lights: Light up your garden paths effortlessly with solar pathway lights. Charge by day, shine by night.
  • Solar Lanterns for Garden: Enhance your outdoor ambiance with solar lanterns. No wiring needed, just simple elegance.
  • Solar Ground Lights: Illuminate your walkways with solar ground lights. Low maintenance and beautiful glow each evening.

10. DIY Firefly Jars

DIY firefly jars bring fairy-tale magic to gardens.
DIY firefly jars bring fairy-tale magic to gardens.

Create the illusion of fireflies with DIY firefly jars using glow sticks. I love their enchanting, fairy-tale look in my garden.

Check if these fit your needs:

  • Glow Sticks Pack: Illuminate your garden with these easy-to-use glow sticks for an enchanting firefly effect.
  • Mason Jars Set: Craft beautiful DIY firefly jars with this versatile set of mason jars in various sizes.
  • Outdoor Decorative Lanterns: Enhance your garden’s ambiance with charming outdoor lanterns, perfect for atmospheric lighting.

11. Bamboo Torches for Tropical Vibes

Bamboo torches infuse gardens with exotic vibes.
Bamboo torches infuse gardens with exotic vibes.

Bring a touch of the tropics with bamboo torches. I use them in my garden for an exotic, vacation-like feel.

Might be a good match:

  • Set of Bamboo Torches: Enhance your garden with these bamboo torches for a warm, tropical ambience.
  • Outdoor Torch Fuel: Keep the flame alive with long-lasting outdoor torch fuel for your bamboo torches.
  • Torch Wick Replacement Kit: Ensure a steady flame by easily replacing wicks with this convenient kit.

12. Upcycle Old Jars into Luminaries

Upcycled jar luminaries create a chic patio ambiance.
Upcycled jar luminaries create a chic patio ambiance.

Turn old jars into luminaries by adding stones and LED tealights. I scatter them around my patio for an effortlessly chic look.

A few suggestions:

  • LED Tealight Candles: Illuminate your jars with these long-lasting, flickering LED tealights for a cozy ambiance.
  • Decorative River Stones: Add natural beauty and stability to your jar luminaries with these decorative river stones.
  • Outdoor Fairy String Lights: Enhance your garden with these magical outdoor string lights for a whimsical nighttime glow.

13. Pathway Lighting for Safe Strolls

Pathway lights ensure safe and stylish evening strolls.
Pathway lights ensure safe and stylish evening strolls.

Line your walkways with pathway lights to guide guests safely and stylishly. I love how these lights highlight the garden’s natural beauty.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Solar Pathway Lights: Illuminate your garden with cost-effective solar pathway lights for an eco-friendly lighting solution.
  • LED Garden Path Lights: Guide your guests with energy-efficient LED garden path lights, ideal for any outdoor setting.
  • Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Kit: Enhance safety and beauty of your garden walkway with a reliable low voltage lighting kit.

14. Lanterns with a Rustic Charm

Lanterns add a charming rustic touch to gardens.
Lanterns add a charming rustic touch to gardens.

Scatter lanterns around your garden for a touch of rustic charm. I’ve found that using a mix of heights adds a lovely depth to my lawn.

Give these a look:

  • Rustic Outdoor Metal Lanterns: Illuminate your garden with charming rustic metal lanterns, adding warmth and depth to outdoor spaces.
  • Wooden Garden Lanterns: Add a touch of elegance with wooden garden lanterns for a cozy outdoor ambiance.
  • Decorative Solar-Powered Lanterns: Enhance your garden’s charm with eco-friendly solar lanterns that light up automatically at dusk.

15. Candlelight for Intimate Evenings

Candles in jars bring warmth to outdoor dining.
Candles in jars bring warmth to outdoor dining.

Use candles in glass jars for an intimate, flickering glow. I often place them on tables during outdoor dinners for a cozy touch.

Consider these options:

  • Set of Glass Mason Jars with Candle Holders: Create a cozy ambiance with these glass mason jars, perfect for holding softly flickering candles.
  • Unscented White Candles for Decorative Use: Enhance your outdoor dinners with these unscented white candles for a warm, intimate glow.
  • Outdoor String Lights with Warm White Bulbs: Add a touch of magic to your outdoor setting with these enchanting warm white string lights.

16. Tea Lights in Fire Bowls

Tea lights in fire bowls offer a safe and cozy glow.
Tea lights in fire bowls offer a safe and cozy glow.

Fill fire bowls with tea lights for a safe, flickering effect. I place them on my deck for cozy evenings.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Decorative Fire Bowl: Enhance your deck with stylish fire bowls for a captivating, cozy ambiance on any evening.
  • LED Tea Lights: Choose LED tea lights for a safe, long-lasting flickering effect without the hassle of real flames.
  • Outdoor Candle Holders: Complement your lighting setup with durable outdoor candle holders for added stability and style.

Text: Joyce Peterson