Outdoor table lighting ideas – 9 beautiful ways to bring ambiance to summer evening entertaining

With the warmer weather here, spending time outdoors and socializing with family and friends is back on the agenda once more. And as the days get longer, it’s lovely to be able to stretch time spent outside and extend it into summer evenings too.

Whatever your backyard or garden set-up, there is sure to be a table at the heart of it. But if the garden decor has been neglected over the winter months, brightening the space up with a few simple summer table decor ideas is a must to get it looking beautiful again. Combine these with the very best outdoor table lighting ideas and you’ll be able to take any space seamlessly from daytime into evening.

We asked outdoor lighting experts and designers to share their favourite garden lighting ideas, outdoor table tips, and styling secrets that will ensure a sophisticated space, together with all the shoppable essentials to achieve it.

1. Keep it simple with classic candles and glassware

For one of the easiest outdoor table lighting ideas, but one that is still guaranteed to look quite magical, candles are hard to beat. There’s nothing like the glow of flickering candlelight to set the mood on evenings outdoors.

Pretty much every home will have a standby supply of classic white candles or mini night lights that can be quickly gathered together and put to use. Teamed with an assortment of glass candlesticks, votives, jars, and lanterns, and grouping them together en masse along a dining table, will look stunning, and the result is an outdoor dining idea that requires minimal effort.

‘Candlelight is magical in the garden, but apart from in very sheltered spots, it's best to use pillar candles in Hurricane vases so they are protected and then add nightlights in glass candlepots,’ says Susie Watson, founder, Susie Watson Designs. ‘It’s fun to use a variety of different-shaped containers so that the flames are at different levels. The reflection of the candles on the glass is lovely and creates a really special and magical atmosphere.’

‘Additional tall dinner candles can look amazing outside but they will blow out easily so best to reserve for somewhere very sheltered from the wind.’

2. Add wow with floating lanterns

Hosting a summer gathering outdoors requires more of a dramatic decor treatment than everyday dining and offers a fabulous opportunity to get creative with your outdoor table lighting ideas.

‘For an unforgettable garden party decoration idea, try floating an array of colored outdoor solar lanterns above a dining table,’ says Thalia Shaw, founder, Sparkle Lighting. ‘Suspended centrally above the tabletop, they will create a magical effect with the lanterns’ jewel colours and intricate cut-out patterns projecting light and shade around the area.’

While overhead arrangements like this look impactful, they offer a practical element too, as it will keep the tabletop area free and give more space to set out food, drinks, and serving platters. And using solar lighting negates the need for untidy cables and flex.

‘Outdoor table lighting is an essential part of creating a warm and inviting ambiance in your garden, patio, or pergola,’ adds Thalia. ‘Lighting the table really sets the scene for the perfect evening and layering different types of lighting – such as solar hanging lanterns, overhead string lights, and cordless table lamps – can transform your outdoor dining area into a magical evening retreat.’

3. Make a simple outdoor chandelier

For a super-stylish table centerpiece idea, this outdoor chandelier is an easy craft project that can be put together with a few basic materials and a selection of inexpensive glass solar hanging bulbs. Suspended above a dining table or outdoor buffet, the result is quite charming.

‘An outdoor chandelier is a wonderful way to bring atmosphere to alfresco tablescapes throughout the warmer months,’ says Lucy Kirk at Lights4fun. ‘And this DIY chandelier couldn’t be simpler to make. Crafted from rustic bamboo hoops and lengths of fishing wire and then illuminated with delicate micro lights and hanging solar bulbs, the end result is enchanting.’

To create the chandelier, use two bamboo hoops of a similar size. Attach the two, using lengths of fishing wire and add four more lengths on the upper hoop to suspend the chandelier with. Then simply attach an arrangement of solar bulbs on the lower hoop (with more wire) varying the heights to create an informal effect. Then just watch it sparkle after dark!

4. Be bold with color choice

‘The secret to a showstopping outdoor tablescape lies in the details,’ says Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky. ‘Opt for whimsical rechargeable table lamps – completely portable and delightfully dimmable – they set just the right mood, whether you’re settling in for a sunset supper or shimmying under the stars. Plus, no pesky wires or gusts of wind to worry about.’

‘For a tablescape that truly wows, match your lampshade to your set-up, whether it’s breezy summer pastels, bold Mediterranean blues or a classic monochrome moment. Layer in textured linens, pretty glassware and a scattering of fresh blooms for that effortless, ‘just-thrown-together’ perfection.’

5. Make it portable

Designer Tom Raffield agrees that the portable garden lighting trend is a winner: ‘One of the many benefits of portable lighting is that it can elevate everyday moments, adding a decorative touch and soft glow wherever you need it. In the summer months, the versatility of portable lighting truly shines,’ he says.

‘An eye-catching centrepiece to a tablescape, you can choose to add one light to a small bistro table or introduce two or more to a long dining table, creating both height, texture, and practical low-level ambient light, ensuring your guests have just the right amount of light to socialise and enjoy a meal in a warming ambience.’

6. Set up a lighting frame for your table

Adding height to an outdoor tablescape is key if you want to create a truly attention-grabbing design. But lighting isn’t always the easiest thing to get right when setting up an outdoor dining space. Finding a fixing spot for lights can be tricky if there are no overhead branches or an outdoor pergola to secure them to, and organising cables or an electrical connection can be a challenge and another item to add to the pre-summer outdoor lighting checklist.

For an easy fix, consider investing in an over-the-table decorating rod that simply clamps to the table and can be decked with outdoor string lights, hanging lanterns, and greenery, color-matched and styled to complement your dinner party theme. It will create a stunning outdoor table centerpiece while freeing up valuable space in the centre of the table for party fare or floral arrangements.

‘Battery-operated, solar-powered, and USB-rechargeable lights are perfect for flexibility and fuss-free setup, especially in spaces without access to plugs,’ adds Thalia. ‘Look for weather-resistant designs or use indoor cordless lamps and just take them outside while dining alfresco.’

7. Go all-out with party lighting

If you’re hosting a large gathering and are looking for outdoor table lighting ideas on a grander scale, then go all-out and combine several different sources of lighting for maximum effect. Keeping it too low-key is a classic outdoor lighting mistake that should be avoided.

‘Combining static and portable lighting is key to designing a functional yet atmospheric outdoor space,’ says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune. ‘Warm-toned festoon lighting, like our Rosewood lights, sets a cosy, ambient tone, while portable LED lamps dotted along the table– try these Hanover lamps – offer flexible task lighting that beautifully highlights the tablescape and adds a touch of sophistication to the garden.’

To add a showstopper element to your party scheme, create a suspended display to give the space a sparkling focal point, which works if you have arranged your table seating underneath a garden pergola or covered verandah area. Simply suspend glass hanging jars on fishing wire and place a twinkling nightlight in each.

8. Bring in some country charm

If you’ve a birthday bash or backyard party planned, then why not amp up the fun element and go for a color and pattern-packed decor that will look wonderful on a sunny summer day.

Team pretty paper lanterns like these Meri Meri x Molly Mahon lanterns with colorful bunting strings criss-crossing above the table, alongside a line-up of brightly-patterned tableware, colored candles, and glass vases packed with cheery blooms.

When it comes to the color scheme, ‘listen to yourself and go with your gut,’ says designer Molly Mahon. ‘Avoid any ‘rules’ you may have heard. I choose colors that bring me feelings of joy and contentment. To me, putting colours together feels natural and fun.’

‘A colour scheme can be a great starting poin,t’ says Sania Pell, interior stylist and creative director at Meri Meri. ‘It could be bright and clashing or calmer and more tonal. Small vases of flowers add a pop of colour and make everything feel more alive, adding candles winding down the center to create instant wow-factor.’

9. Work in natural texture

‘Outdoor lighting should feel like an extension of the atmosphere you want to create –not just functional, but emotive,’ says Beth Helmstetter, Founder & Creative Director of Beth Helmstetter Events.

‘Overhead café lights or hanging lanterns bring a festive glow, while tabletop hurricanes or votives in mixed vessels create warmth at eye level. For a touch of whimsy, I often weave string lights through greenery or bring in other textures overhead by using pendant lights made of rattan, rice paper, or even ceramics.’

‘And always hang lighting lower to the table than you think (8 to 9 feet from the ground is best), as it becomes part of the environment, instead of just functional.’

A well-planned lighting scheme will enhance your outdoor space and with the focus on the dining table area, it will create the perfect ambience for family gatherings all summer long.