Garden Lighting Ideas: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space this Winter
Our gardens have long been a source of pride, peace, and entertainment. As we increasingly treat outdoor spaces as extensions of our homes, features like pergolas and lighting are becoming more essential than ever. While the pergola might be the centrepiece of an al fresco setup, your garden plays a vital role in shaping the atmosphere and usability of the space.
With the right decorative lighting, even the simplest fence, tree, vegetable garden or shrub can be transformed to bring warmth and character after dark. Rather than looking out to a dark void in winter, outdoor lighting highlights your garden’s best features year-round.
Let’s explore how to elevate your garden with lighting ideas that balance practicality with style, from standout festoons to delicate fairy lights.
Festoon Lights: A Classic Glow with Big Impact
For a garden glow that feels equal parts cosy, celebratory, and stylish, festoon lights are a go-to. They’re not just practical, they instantly add personality and atmosphere. We often call them "the jewellery of your space." You can spend thousands on landscaping, pools, saunas, spas and furniture, but a single install of Festoon Lights can completely transform your space.
These vintage-style bulbs are strung along a cable and can be draped between fence posts, strung across pergolas, or hung from a gazebo to a boundary line.
Top tip:
Always choose warm white bulbs for an inviting glow. Our festoon lights feature a simple, connectable system so you can adjust the length to suit your space making them ideal for everything from compact courtyards to sprawling gardens. Being connectable also gives you the freedom to change up your layout any time.
Important:
Always look for an IP65 rating if you're lighting outdoors as this guarantees true weatherproofing. Many cheaper lights claim to be waterproof but are only IP44 or less, meaning they’re suitable for light showers at best.
Connectable Fairy Lights: A Soft, Enchanting Touch
While festoons create a bold and bright statement, connectable fairy lights bring a more subtle, magical glow. These flexible lights can be threaded through trellises, wrapped around tree trunks or fence posts, or strung above seating areas to create the look of a glowing night sky.
They’re perfect for layering texture and dimension into your garden lighting without overwhelming the space. Thanks to their sleek cabling and gentle glow, they integrate beautifully into any setting.
And with the connectable feature, you can build a fully customised layout—spanning from fences to pergolas and trees—all powered from a single plug.
Have a large blank wall or trellis?
Try Curtain Fairy Lights. They’re easy to hang, incredibly effective, and create a full cascade of light that fills gaps and adds drama. Hang corner to corner and let them fall for a stunning visual effect.
Installation tip:
Use outdoor-rated cable clips or discreet hooks to keep cables tidy and secure. Avoid placing them in areas that collect water, and always allow a little slack to account for temperature changes.
With a thoughtful approach to lighting, you can turn even the simplest garden into a warm, inviting retreat that glows long after sunset. Whether it’s dinner under the festoons or fairy lights twinkling in the trees, your outdoor space deserves to shine.