When it comes to buying patio lighting for my garden, I always like to think of how I arrange the lighting in my living room. Like many of you, I'm sure you don't just have one main light which you switch on and off.
Your patio should be just the same. There's nothing ambient about flooding your space with the glare from an outdoor security light. Having just recently made over my garden, that's my current set-up, and worse still it's on a motion sensor so every five minutes the conversation stops so everyone can wave their arms around to activate it again.
Not the chic atmosphere that befits a garden editor's patio! So whilst the deals are on I'll be looking at festoon lights to hang along my fence, to zone the area and create the impression of being wrapped in a warm glow.
Next, some LED candles for the outdoor table to flicker away during alfresco meals. Solar stake lights will be going in my planting beds to uplight my planting and finally (budget permitting) I might even get a few metres of fairy lights to wrap around my damson tree to create a stunning focal point at the bottom of my garden.
The options are there and you're sure to find something to fit in with your garden landscaping once you know where to look.
What to look for when buying patio lighting
For me, the biggest questions to ask aside from where to buy patio lighting, is what level of lighting am I looking for. Is it purely for ambience or perhaps for security, or casting a light on outdoor activities?
Secondly, think of what your power source is. Do you have an outdoor safe plug? If not then solar is your best option. Unless of course, you are planning a brand new garden design, in which case factoring lighting in early on means you can go for more bespoke built-in options.
Where to buy patio lighting
There are plenty of online retailers who stock patio lighting, many of which have sales on throughout the year. With Prime Day now live, there are even more deals than usual.
- Amazon - including options for less than £1
- Argos - outdoor lights for up to 50% off
- Lights4fun - an inspiring set of options
- B&Q - decorative patio lighting
- Wayfair - pretty festoon lights
- John Lewis - clearance items available
Amazon
Amazon Prime Day kicks off on July 16 2024 and ends at midnight on July 17. During this time there are a number of discounted products to shop for. Well known for its huge range of outdoor products, now is a great time to shop for garden lighting.
This pack of 2 waterproof outdoor lights can be staked in the garden. They are controlled by an on/off switch rather than automatically coming on at dusk like some models. Stick them in a sunny spot for maximum charging during the day.
These multi-coloured lights can be easily attached to fences, railings and parasols using the plastic ties which come included. They are 99p each and you can buy up to 30 at a time, if you buy greater numbers then there are discounts available.
To create a stylish set of garden steps which become a feature at night, try these solar LED step lights. The stairs will need to be exposed to the sunlight for a good few hours a day for them to work properly. Attach them in place with included screws or glue.
Argos
All the products listed below from Argos have whopping savings on them at present (up to 50%). They have a good range of stylish products including those from Sainsbury's and Habitat. Their options are mostly garden solar lights but with lots of styles available for different garden uses.
96% of customers recommend this product with a rating of 4.7 stars. They're currently available to buy for a £10 saving, making them just £15 for 18 stake lights. The multi colours will really brighten up the edge of a patio. They're battery-powered but will recharge using the solar panel on top.
Festoon lights are the perfect relaxed patio lighting, and these warm bulbs will give off a great ambience to a patio, not to mention they are easy to install, particularly as they're solar powered, no electrical source is needed. Simply string them up and switch them on and off when needed. Currently available for 25% off the listing price.
Currently 50% off the listing price, these solar lights come on automatically as the sun starts to go down and will continue to give off a gentle glow well into the evening. Their cut-out lantern-style casing casts ornate shadows on a patio. Station them at the corners or to line an edge or pathway.
Lights4fun
Lights4fun is Europe's leading retailer for indoor and outdoor lighting. They have a great selection of products at a range of prices to suit different budgets. You'll find plenty of inspiration on their site too, as specialists in the field their line feels very well curated.
Originally £84.99, now on sale for just £41.99, these mock candles have LED bulbs which charge via solar panels on top of the lanterns. Ideal for creating ambience rather than giving off a strong light.
Another great saving on this contemporary floor lantern, over £30 in fact. It will make a lovely focal point on a patio as it has great ornamental value as well as giving off a soft glow.
Different to your average fairy lights, these cute options have little ornate bees, giving character to your garden. Try threading them through your shrubs for added twinkle.
B&Q
A great one-stop shop for a range of outdoor products from garden storage to outdoor paint, and of course patio lighting. They have solar, moveable options as well as more permanent fixed solutions which link up to your mains electricity.
Add a tropical twist to your outdoor decor with these 2m long pineapple string lights. They're solar powered meaning they cost nothing to run and will really liven up a fence or outdoor bar.
These wall lights are suitable for outdoor use and will need to be connected to your mains system. Ideal if you're looking for some permanent patio lighting which won't let you down regardless of the amount of sunlight you get during the day. They aren't motion activated so will stay on as long or as little as you need them to.
These waterproof LED solar stake lights are a bit different from the norm in that they give off a flickering flame-coloured glow. They come in a pack of four, ideal for creating an ambient lighting scheme in a small patio or courtyard garden.
John Lewis
There are some discounted and clearance patio design and lighting products on offer at John Lewis at the moment including some popular best-selling items.
The overall cable length for this set of line lights is 11.9m, so it could be draped around a small zoned patio area giving a soft glow in the evening. The solar panel should be staked in the ground in the sunniest spot possible.
These warm-white battery-powered lights will work inside and outside the home. They have a variety of different settings as well as a timer option in case you forget to switch them off at night.
These colour changing lanterns won't fail to add a more fun vibe to your patio. They are charged via USB cable so are fully mobile. You can operate the settings using a remote control so you can hang it where you want and it won't matter if it's out of reach.
Wayfair
Wayfair often has discounted garden products so you'll be able to pick up a bargain for yourself to add some ambience to your patio. An array of different lighting means you can create subtle levels depending on what the occasion calls for.
Wayfair is offering a 15% discount on these bollard lights. They stand about 40cm, off the ground and will smarten up a driveway or garden path. They will need to be powered into your mains electricity.
I personally love these types of lighting products. They give the impression of being built in but they're in fact so easy to install (simply push into the ground) and they can be used to mark out pathways at nighttime. Powered by solar so no complex wiring is needed either.
This outdoor sconce is a super statement piece. It comes in Anodised copper and Anodised bronze. The copper has a slightly pinkish tint. It needs assembly and wiring so it's a great option if you're planning a garden makeover or kitchen extension.
If you're on the lookout for budget garden ideas then have a look at our guide on where to buy cheap garden sheds.
