With the summer season well and truly upon us, many of you will be making the most of any outdoor space you have. Each night you want to dine al fresco, sip on a perfectly pale dry rosé and bask in the shadow of the summer sunset. However, most of us in the UK are never prepared for outdoor living in the summer as our weather can be unpredictable at times – but it is important to make it as practical as possible. One of the easiest aspects to overlook is lighting. We enjoy the heat of the evening, when we suddenly become aware that the sun has gone down and there is virtually no visibility left. To ensure your outdoor evenings can last a little longer invest in good outdoor lighting options.
Here are some ideas to help you enjoy summer to the utmost!
For those who have the luxury of a covered outdoor area this pendant is a fantastic option for you. Its beautifully minimalistic, industrial design adds a chic ambience to the setting. It also is well suited as a porch light, or if you have an outdoor dining area it makes the perfect overhead table light. It can be found at John Lewis for £160.00.
This tea light holder is a great way to add a natural composition to your outdoor space. The combination of Eucalyptus wood and glass brings a subtle Mediterranean sensation and is a clever approach to bringing a summer holiday feeling into the home. It is finished with a touch of fresh white around the bottom adding a brightness to the area. Find it for £91.88 at Maisons Du Monde.
This acrylic table lamp by designer Fatboy is available in a range of colours and is an innovative way of lighting up your garden. Wireless and chargeable, it is extremely practical and can also look great indoors, making it a versatile option for you.
The beautiful grey tone will complement many colour schemes easily. It is available from Amara for £89.95.
The Foscarini UTO light is a cosmic inspired design which adds a playful and ‘interstellar’ touch to the area. It is suitable for both indoors and outdoors and can be set up as a pendant, a floor lamp or hung freely as a hook lamp. Try hanging it from a tree to add ambience and character; as it is encased in silicon rubber, it’s perfect for outdoor weather conditions. Nest.co.uk stock the design at £353.00.
String Lights are always a great addition to your summer outdoor lighting collection. They are perfect to drape from a balcony, on the underside of a parasol or into your foliage, creating the ultimate setting for your garden dining. These wicker lights from John Lewis are a charming option to continue the organic theme that the outdoor setting already provides. With the benefit of solar powered LED bulbs, they will add a stunningly soft glow, perfect for your garden parties and summer BBQ’s. They are reasonably priced at £20.00 for a 3.8m cable length.
Citronella candles are always a good option for lighting outside, as they not only add to the atmosphere but they also keep any flies or mosquitos at bay. This candle from The White Company is an enchanting design and comes in a handmade, stone-coloured pot. The candle has 49 hours of burning time, meaning it will provide plenty of light for many summer evenings. It is available for £35.00.
For those wanting to create a focal point in the garden, this giant outdoor Anglepoise 1227 floor lamp is perfect. Originally designed over three decades ago this lamp is a triple-scale version and stands over 2.3m tall. Available in a range of colours it will make a statement whilst adding class to your garden setting. Houseology stock the lamp at £3750.00.
The Globe light by Skyline Design is a contemporary design and will help turn your garden into a stylish and modern venue to enjoy throughout the summer. With various lighting settings and colourways, it adds different dimensions and will create a nice touch when dining outside. It can be found at Naken Interiors for £81.00.
Lighting is important in any location, as it sets the tone and creates a serene atmosphere. If you do have the luxury of an outdoor area, make the most of it: be sure to add charm and elegance whilst keeping it practical for use on a regular basis. Make sure it is perfect not only for guests whilst entertaining, but ultimately for you.