9 Summer Outdoor Lighting Solutions

Summer is here, which means it’s officially time to get your backyard or balcony prepped and ready to party. That’s why it’s important to remember that any well-outfitted outdoor area should include a summer-friendly lighting scheme. From solar-powered lanterns to bug-repellent string lights, read ahead for nine outdoor lighting solutions that will keep you (and your yard) lit all summer long.

If you’re in the market for some old-school outdoor lighting, look no further than Walmart. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, these retro-inspired string lights look especially lovely when strewn from trees or wrapped around an umbrella stand. While you’re at it, check out our complete guide to the best outdoor string lights here.

What better way to brighten up your backyard for the summer than with a colorful lantern? This Moroccan-style stunner from Terrain comes in five colors and is made of ceramic for a classic yet fun look. While you can keep a real candle in there, we recommend using fake votives for safety.

Why invest in a bunch of humdrum tiki torches for your backyard when you can have an adorable 6-inch torch at every table instead? This pack of three colorful mini torches will keep mosquitoes away for up to seven hours with mosquito-repellent fuel (sold separately).

Looking for an easy (and affordable) way to keep mosquitoes and other pesky bugs at bay during your next outdoor shindig? These citronella-infused string lights repel bugs for up to 300 hours and will only set you back twelve bucks.

Whoever said you couldn’t use a table lamp outdoors has obviously never seen the Petit Lamp from Fatboy Edison. Not only is this durable LED light composed of weather-resistant polyethylene, it provides up to six hours of continuous light; no electricity required.

Forget boring old string lights, these multicolored twinklers boast built-in Bluetooth speakers! Equipped with four wireless speakers, these mini lantern lights sync with your smartphone so you can stream music while scoring some pretty outdoor lighting.

A little LED lighting can go a long way when used outside. Case in point: this super sleek portable LED lantern, which features a dimmable light that lasts up to five hours (when charged) and a lightweight design so you can carry it around with ease. DWR is currently running their Swing Into Summer sale, so you can snag this designer lantern for 20 percent off.

Nothing screams “summer soiree” quite like a set of glittering string lights strewn outside. We’re partial to this 33-ft. long strand of starry solar-paneled LED lights, which are completely waterproof and provide up to 15 hours of nightlight when enough sunlight is absorbed during the day.

Don’t forget to light your walkways when coming up with your stellar outdoor lighting scheme this summer. These solar-powered path lights feature a colorful mosaic design and stick directly into the ground for foolproof sidewalk lighting.

This post was originally published on June 8, 2018, and was last updated on June 6, 2019, to reflect current prices and offerings.