15 Amazing DIY Backyard Lighting Ideas

Welcome to our photo gallery featuring 30 Genius DIY Backyard Lighting Ideas.

Backyards can retain their beauty even after the sun goes down when backyard lighting is used effectively. The time and money you invest in patio furniture and other decor is meaningless if you can’t see or use it at night. Backyard lights add a degree of majesty and dimension that illuminate your yard any hour of the day.

Homeowners often use several types of backyard lights in their design phase. Combining multiple types of lighting like path lights and string lights is all too common. Today, many of these light systems are solar powered, meaning that they require no complicated installation. This makes it possible to transform any backyard in a single day if desired. Perhaps the hardest part of this process is deciding on what lights to use. This guide attempt to simplify your choices by providing information on the most commonly used backyard lights.

String Lights

Photo by TheGardenGlove

String backyard lighting allows users to decorate places of the yard that are not usually covered with lights. Examples include patio awnings, gazebos, windows, doorways and more. String lights look a lot like Christmas light strings except that they come in many themes and styles. Whether you like a string of colorful flower petals or color changing butterflies, anyone can find a set of string lights to their liking. One popular type of string lights are the “paper lantern” ones which are derived from Asian designs.

It is important to make sure that the string you select is intended for outdoor use. Look for models that claim to be “backyard” or “outdoor” string lights, as these models will durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions. Each bulb on the string is covered with a plastic, rubber or paper covering that is molded into the desired theme. These covers are what give each string its uniqueness, and can be removed for cleaning.

Photo by Popsugar

Photo by TheBerry

Photo by Hative

Photo by DiyYourCrafts

Photo by OnekinDesign

Photo by MarthaStewart

Photo by HomeDepot

Path Lights

Any path or walkway in your yard is just begging to be lined with path lights. Path, or walkway lighting, is great for lining any structure in your backyard. Walkways can be clearly defined at night to add beauty and prevent tripping. Solar path lights are quite popular because they can be set up within minutes. They usually consist of a light pod mounted to the top of a stake which gets pressed into the ground. They gather sunlight energy to power the light at dusk and into the night. They are quite convenient in that they turn on and off automatically. Styles ranging from modern to rustic are readily available.

Wired path lights require in-ground electrical work but are generally more powerful than their solar counterparts. These systems run off of a “low voltage” transformer hidden away somewhere in the yard. These transformers can be hooked up to timers and solar sensors for convenience.

Photo by Ozzu

Photo by Indulgy

Photo by ChristmasLightsEtc

Umbrella Lights

Photo by ItAllStartedWithPaint

One excellent and unexpected way to provide functional backyard lighting to an outdoor dining area is with umbrella lights. Umbrella lights attach to your patio umbrella to provide light to the table underneath. This light can be used fr reading, dining, conversing and more. Umbrella lighting is quite surreal in appearance and is a type of lighting you don’t see very often. There are two types of umbrella lighting, the first of which attaches to your umbrella’s pole. This light “pod” has several LED light bulbs which point downward onto the table below. The second type attaches to each vein of the umbrella and could be considered string lights. Both look great, but the string lights are more decorative than functional.

Photo by Homedecorin

Photo and oroduct by Walmart

Pool and Pond Lights

If you have a pool or pond in your backyard, there is an easy way to add backyard lighting to these locations too. Floating light pods are available which can be placed into the water to shine on the floor below. Lights for pools often display a rainbow of colors onto the pool floor, which is quite an impressive sight. These pods are waterproof and are safe to use around water. Pond lights look a lot like spotlights and are usually wired together. They are placed in strategic locations in the water to shine on aquatic plants, fish and decor. A water-bound backyard light is an unexpected and unique way to add style to a yard.

Photo by Mashable

Photo by StyleMePretty

Photo by MarthaStewart