Is there anything more magical than sitting in the garden in the evening surrounded by fabulous ambient mood lighting? Whether your plot is big or small, courtyard or balcony, these outdoor lanterns are battery or solar-powered so there's no mains power required. Just pop them in place, on a side table, hanging from a tree or pergola post, around your hot tub, or wherever you like, let them soak up the sun, if solar, and when darkness falls they'll come alive, many for a set amount of time, so you don't even have to worry about switching them off.
Choose one with a cutout pattern and let it cast beautiful shadows into the surrounding area, go for a standout colour if your garden is looking a little lacklustre or group a few together for the ultimate patio-pick-me-up. Whatever you do, share your garden lantern styling with us on Insta...
Golden oldie
www.homebase.co.uk
Add a touch of Middle-Eastern magic with this plastic and metal Homebase Edit Antique Gold Solar Moroccan Lantern. It’ll charge in sunlight during the day then switch itself on at night. H32cm.
Fan the style flames
www.johnlewis.com
Choose the flame setting to create a stunning candlelit effect and leave the light on one static colour or let it gradually cycle through all colours, all via remote control. Charged by USB cable, the battery lasts up to eight hours, perfect for all-night ambience. Also in Grey and Mustard. H25cm.
Tickled pink
www.festive-lights.com
Treat yourself to an instant patio-pick-me-up with this Solar Pink Ceramic Lantern. With intricate cutout pattern and the perfect tint of pink, it really comes into its own once darkness falls and the light sensor illuminates the bright LED housed inside, casting beautiful shadows into the surrounding area. Enjoy it hanging or freestanding, with six hours of light once fully charged. H23cm.
The pineapple of our eye
www.kaleidoscope.co.uk
For a tropical vibe sure to cure your winter woes, stand or hang this Metal Pineapple Solar Lantern in a cosy corner and let it soak up the daylight ready to come alive at night. Team with your fave winter tipple – we’ll let you decide if it’s too cold for a pina colada! H27cm.
Well hung!
www.coopersofstortford.co.uk
We’re carrying a serious torch for this durable plastic Wood-Look Scandi Lantern with frosted glass-look dome. Pop on a table or hang from a tree branch or pergola, and let its battery-powered four white LEDs light up your night. The take-anywhere handle also makes it easy to carry around with you, if you so desire. H18.5cm.
Give it the green light
ellajames.co.uk
Grace your garden with this Moroccan Inspired Fez Solar Lantern and lose yourself in the shadows cast by its filigree metalwork. It has an integrated solar panel that activates at dusk for six hours once fully charged. H36cm.
Right on time
www.ikea.com
We’re dotty about this battery Sommarlånke LED Decorative Table Lamp, with built-in timer that automatically turns on the light at the same time every day and then makes it shine for six hours. The synthetic rubber handle makes for super-comfy carrying. H27cm.
Bamboo-tiful!
www.dobbies.com
Add an instant relaxed feel to your fave chillout spot with this Solar Bamboo Lantern. Sleek and modern, it’ll highlight a side table or hang a few overhead from a pergola as an affordable take on the rattan lampshade trend. Having charged in direct sunlight, the lantern will switch on at night for six hours. H26cm.
Show off the ropes
ellajames.co.uk
Alfresco dinners just got a whole lot tastier thanks to this LED Solar Table Light. Give this good-looker pride of place on your dining table where its warm white solar bulb with amber filament will add a satisfying glow for eight hours at a time. H33cm.
Bright sparks!
www.notonthehighstreet.com
How clever are these Solar LED Balcony Lights with Velcro straps and fold-down handles?! They can easily be fixed to a balcony or anything else you fancy strapping them to, and the warm white LED solar bulbs have an eight hour battery life once charged up. They come in green, grey or black, H15cm, £29 each, or all 3 for £77.
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