DIY Outdoor Lighting Ideas

Moods and Effects

• Before deciding what types of outdoor lighting designs and fixtures you want, look at your yard and decide what kind of mood and atmosphere you wish to create. Determining how to best light your yard with an eye toward function, visibility and safety is first on the list.

  Look to the places where good illumination is going to be most necessary. Consider walkways, stairs, uneven paths as well as places where people will be grilling or eating. Don't neglect places in the yard that will tend to be naturally darker because they're further away from the house or sitting in the shadow of a tree or the garage. If you are looking to flood your yard with as much light as possible, these areas may not need any special attention. If you are going for a more minimalist approach, you can use these spots to create the framework of your light design by illuminating them first.

Electric Lighting

• If you are looking to design with electric lighting, be sure to use only electric lights designed for outdoor use. Landscape lights are available at home and garden stores in many styles, power levels and price ranges.

  Consider how different types of lighting work to highlight and take advantage of particular features of your yard. For example, if you have some large, centerpiece features such as a fountain or sculpture, consider an outdoor flood light. On the other hand, if you have garden paths, a series of ground stake lights on either side of the walkway will work nicely. These types of lights often come in solar-powered varieties, making them an excellent choice if you want to avoid running electrical lines. If you have bushes or short trees with foliage that isn't too dense, you can light these with white outdoor string lights.

  Some types of lights can be used for nearly all purposes and locations, such as tall stake lights and hanging lights with post fixtures. Use these to fill in the areas of your yard that need an extra boost of light, especially in places where people are likely to congregate.

Fire Lighting

• Candle and torch-based lighting is a cost effective and energy efficient design. It is the best option if you want to create some of the most unique lighting, including homemade pieces.

  To create the biggest possible pool of outdoor fire light, make or buy an outdoor fire pit. An above-ground (footed metal or clay structure) fire pit which can be used without altering your landscape. When you're not building fires in your pit, fill it with a variety of candles to provide a wash of illumination. Ground stake fire lights come in a variety of styles, including the popular tiki torch.

  If you have outdoor dining tables, any candle or holder designed for indoor use can be used to contribute to the outdoor lighting. You can find that a collection of outdoor table candles is preferable to an electric porch light because this will create better atmosphere while still giving your guests the light they need.