My favorite decorative outdoor solar lights
We’ve been spending so much time in our yard this summer again and I added several more different decorative outdoor solar lights to the landscaping. Last year I added the DIY macrame outdoor hanging solar lantern and the tassel umbrella lights which added so much ambiance. So whenever I show our yard in Instagram stories, I get questions about all the other current lights and decided that it’s finally time to do a detailed blog post. I can’t ignore the interest right?
My favorite decorative outdoor solar lights
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I like putting lights and candles everywhere inside the house as well as outside. Having something automated is definitely wonderful better though and with solar lights, you don’t need a timer, electrical hookup, or batteries which is even better.
The yard looks like a jungle during the day and if you add that magical lighting at night it definitely takes it all to the next level. So let me show you my favorites…
Watch my video about all the decorative outdoor solar lights
(Use the triangle in the center of the image to watch the tutorial. If you are on a cellphone, hold the phone sideways to view it on full screen. If the video doesn’t load, you can also watch it on my YouTube channel HERE)
Lights used in this blog post:
- metal solar lantern
- solar fairy lights inside patio umbrella
- solar fairy lights inside macrame lantern
- floating flickering solar candles
- remote suction cup light inside stock tank pool (not solar)
Outdoor Solar Lantern
Let me introduce you to my new solar lanterns I bought two weeks ago. They cast the most unique shadows and light at night. I’m utterly in love with them. The bonus is that they look pretty during the day too.
When I first received them in the mail. I was wondering how that flat pug up top with no light bulb would/could work.
See below what I mean? That yellow strip is the actual light! It is mind-blowing actually that such a tiny strip can cast such a powerful glow. There is also an on and off switch but I have mine set to on at all times. Not sure if that is good or bad.
And now you can see a photo below of the lantern at night and the pretty shadows it casts on our lilac bush. The ground underneath looks just as pretty.
I also hung one above our lounge chairs by the catio.
Flickering Outdoor Solar Candle
I was originally looking for some pretty glowing orbs for our stock tank pool. I’ve seen them in catalogs or on Amazon. On my search, I came across the below contraption. I know it looks kind of odd during the day but I promise that this little solar globe makes up for it at night.
It’s simply a pillar with the solar portion strapped to the top and all encased in a clear plastic globe. This solar light is meant to float or just sit somewhere. I’ve used them for both and they look so interesting and pretty at night.
On the bottom is the on/off button and one for different modes. I like the candle flickering mode the best to be honest.
In my video above you can see them flickering and the below photo is what they would look like in the still mode.
Outdoor Solar Macrame Lantern
If you aren’t new around here then you might recognize my DIY macrame outdoor solar lantern from last year. I simply used solar fairy lights inside with the solar portion strapped to the fence. I used the same once on my umbrella which is coming up next.
Outdoor Umbrella Solar Fairy Lights
When I made my DIY tassel umbrella last year, I also added fairy string lights that happen to be also solar powered. I get frequent questions about how I attached them and where the solar lightbox is placed. So let me show you if you haven’t watched the video yet.
As you can see below, it is simply resting on top of the umbrella and I attached the cable part with a safety pin to the fabric.
The fairy light strand is simply attached with the velcro straps that my umbrella has on each end of the arm. If you don’t have that, you could also use safety pins or tuck them behind the arms of the umbrella. We have no issues when cracking the umbrella in during a storm.
It is so hard to take nice photos of it. I’m not good at taking night time photos but below is a cellphone photo of the umbrella.
Also check outmore of my outdoor posts
If you watched my video above then you also saw the one battery-powered suction cup light we have inside the stock tank pool. I had to share it because it makes the pool look so cool at night. One is plenty for such a small pool though.
Do you have any outdoor solar lights that you love? I’d love to hear from you. I still have room to add some more, yah know?!?
Julia, this is just magical!
Thanks so much Lori. I have to say that we do love it all a lot 🙂
What a magical backyard. I love the garden lights, beautiful glow.
This was a great post! I’ve ordered the floating candles for my fish pond and can’t wait! Thank you for sharing your creativity!!
Oh I’m glad you liked the post and I hope you will love the lights as much as I do!
Your outdoor space is the stuff of my summer dreams!
Oh thank you so much! You should come visit!