It’s finally starting to heat up, and as we usher in summer, we’re looking for any excuse to get outdoors. Balmy nights call for dinner parties under the stars, barbeques in the backyard and summer parties on the patio.

If you’re planning on entertaining outdoors this summer, it’s important to get your outdoor lighting right. While common in Australian backyards, floodlights will ruin the ambience of your outdoor areas. Instead, choose from one of these outdoor lighting ideas for a solution that complements your home and sets the mood for your next outdoor event.

Hamptons-style lighting

Hamptons-style design continues to be a popular choice in Australian homes. Inspired by the seaside holiday homes of the Hamptons in Long Island, Hamptons style is all about chic but relaxed coastal living.  

The Hamptons look is bright, light and beachy, so a neutral colour palette is a good starting point. Timber-framed lanterns dotted around the garden maintain the relaxed, beachy look, and are great for setting the mood, while pendants with woven shades are another good option for emphasising the natural feel of a Hamptons-inspired space.

Another option is to contrast light and airy Hamptons-style spaces with darker and more dramatic pendant lighting. The classic Hamptons look pairs cream with black or bronze accents, so black industrial-style metal and glass pendants work well. Brushed nickel, glass, and stainless steel are all popular choices for Hamptons-style outdoor areas. 

Hamptons-style entertaining areas will often feature pendant lights over outdoor dining spaces. Traditional lantern-style fixtures in black steel and glass is a popular choice, while sleeker pendants with simpler lines is a more modern option. 

Sconce wall lights are also a popular choice for Hamptons-inspired outdoor spaces and are traditionally used to light a pathway or frame an entryway or door, bringing a layered lighting effect and a sense of warmth to your outdoor area. 

Festoon lighting

The ultimate outdoor party lighting, festoon lighting pairs the traditional look of bulbs with LED technology for a stylish and decorative lighting solution. 

Festoon lighting is versatile, weather-resistant and can be installed DIY, so it’s easy to drape it over a fence or wrap it around a tree. Festoon lighting looks particularly dramatic when strung over a dining area or entertaining space in a zig-zagging pattern. 

Festoon lighting gives off a warm, dreamy and romantic glow that’s perfect for a dinner or garden party. 

LED strip lighting

Water-resistant LED strip lighting is a great option for illuminating benches, stairs, decks and pathways. While subtle, LED strip lighting provides a modern under-lit effect that adds a layer of luxury and glamour to your home.  

LED strip lighting is very flexible and can be mounted to almost any area, such as along the bottom of a wall or on the tread of stairs to make your outdoor areas safer. 

Upward-facing spotlights

Highlight feature trees and plants in your outdoor space by positioning upward-facing lights at their base. Spotlights add a dramatic effect to your outdoor spaces, and work particularly well with bushy or tropical plants. A single spotlight on a large tree will have a huge visual impact, or you could install a row of spotlights along a courtyard for a more modern look.

How to get find the perfect outdoor lighting for your outdoor entertaining space

If you’re searching for the right lighting solutions to transform your outdoor area into an entertaining space you won’t want to leave this summer, get in touch. Our lighting experts can help you pick the perfect solution for your space. 

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