Garden lighting is a bit redundant in early summer, unless you want to stay up much later than we do. In the late summer, though, it’s a delight. Not only does it help extend the evening a little, it also adds interest to the area and helps highlight areas of interest such as special trees or plants. It also serves a practical purpose as you can use it to define the garden boundaries and help guests find their way back in!
Garland lights, also known as festoon lights (small bulbs strung on a central wire) are practical and flexible. You can drape them, so they don’t need fixing permanently and can be moved around to wherever suits you. You can use them in a straight line to define the edges of buildings, or loop them through branches. Some will need plugging into a mains power outlet, so you’ll either need an outdoor socket or easy access to an indoor one. Others, though, are powered by batteries or solar panels and are suitable for areas with no mains power. Whatever you choose, make sure that it’s suitable for outdoor use for safety reasons. Here are 10 of our favourites.
1. Butterfly lights, Sue Ryder
Adorn your outdoor space with these pretty butterfly string lights. The rechargeable battery is powered by a solar panel making these lights an eco-friendly addition to your garden. 20 lights, total cable length 4.4m. £12.99, available from Sue Ryder.
2. LED festoon lights, Sparkle Lighting
These warm white mains operated LED festoon garden lights with light bulb shaped bulbs are so pretty and perfect for parties, weddings or just to light up your outdoor space . They bring that festival style lighting feel to a garden and a pretty warm light. Available in medium (14.5m) or long (19.5m) sizes, prices start at £69.95 from Sparkle Lighting.
3. Glow fairy lights with remote and timer. KooPower
This string of 36 fairy lights with different modes, remote and time is a bargain! It contains 100 warm white LEDs powered by USB outlet so there’s no need to find an electrical outlet nearby. Great for temporary occasional use. Was £16.99, now £8.99, available from KooPower.
4. Solar powered warm white LED lights, B&Q
These 10-Lightbulb solar string lights (above and main image) are available in warm white LEDs charging during the day and automatically illuminating at dusk, brightening up trees, arches, doorways, trellises, or fences. Total cable length 3.8m. £20, available from B&Q.
5. Festoon classic extendable lights, Garden Trading
For larger outdoor spaces these lights can be used as they are, or you can add an additional extension kit which gives a maximum of 50 bulbs to give your gardens a lovely festival twinkle all evening. The classic lights have 20 bulbs and a total of 13m of cable and cost £80 from Garden Trading.
6. 16 bronze solar Moroccan fairy lights, Lights4Fun
Introduce an exotic vibe to your garden with these Moroccan ball lights. With 16 ball shapes with a bronze finishing spread across 2.25m of cable, they are easy to drape in your outside space. £16.99, available from Lights4Fun.
7. Solar Edison lights, Gardenesque
Hang these Edison style outdoor solar string lights across a garden archway or under a gazebo to add a cosy ambiance to your garden. It’s a short string of only 2.45m and eight bulbs so great for smaller spaces. Was £29.99 now £25.49, available from Gardenesque.
8. Frosted star festoon lights, Cox & Cox
We do love a bargain, and these frosted star festoon lights are 70% off! Featuring 10 bulbs, the total cable length is 10 metres. Although the lights themselves are suitable for outdoor use, they must be plugged in indoors. Was £45 now £13.50, available from Cox & Cox.
9. LED solar powered lanterns, Symple Stuff
As pretty unlit as lit, these Chinese lantern-style lights will add a splash of colour. Featuring 10 lights over a 3.8 metre cable, they just need a little sunshine to work. £46.99, available from Wayfair.
10. 40 warm bubble solar fairy lights Lights4Fun
Add a fun finishing touch to your garden this summer with these bubble effect solar fairy lights. With 40 warm white LEDs encased in a clear bubble cap and 3.9m of cable, they’ll add a contemporary feel to your garden gatherings. £19.99, available from Lights4Fun.
Main image shows the Solar powered warm white LED lights, B&Q
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