Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Lowe’s. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The DIY Playbook.
A few weeks ago, I shared the process of adding these solar lights to my flower pots in our backyard and our front window box. I was instantly bombarded with messages asking about the other solar lighting I’ve used. People inquired about the solar lighting I added to our fencing five (!!!) years ago and the cool solar lanterns I bought for our porch last summer.
I quickly realized that people are interested in trying solar lighting, but they’re not so sure that the products will emit enough ambient light or last very long. It reminded me of the blog post I recently wrote about the solar panels on our roof. Everyone liked the idea in theory, but they wondered if they work and save energy and money in the long run. (Spoiler alert – we love our solar panels and they have been a great addition to our home!)
Today, I wanted to round up all of the solar lighting I have on the exterior of our home and share my favorite products for you to try! Lighting can elevate any space, inside or outside, and I think it’s a great idea to try out different lights in your space.
Outdoor Solar Lights For Our Fence
My first foray into the solar lighting world started with a pack of wall lights that I added to our fence posts. We installed a new fence back in the fall of 2019 and I added these solar lights to them right away. Instead of drilling into our new fence, I used this outdoor mounting tape and I am happy to report that they have not budged in almost five years! The mounting tape is an easy way to secure things without making holes in your home.
The lights are waterproof and rustproof and still look good and work well after all of this time. They emit a nice soft glow – nothing too harsh – that adds a lot to our backyard. And yes, they still work, even in the wintertime, when the days are not as sunny. They just need a bit of solar energy to work and emit a bright light.
I also found these post lights that intrigued me. You can replace the decorative post caps on your fence with these solar ones. I may have to give them a try and report back! They come in a few different colors and the white looks like it would match our fence well. Let me know if you’ve ever used anything similar. I would love to know your thoughts!
Patio Lighting Ideas
Our backyard is the most delightful place to hang out during the warmer months. I recently revealed our new pergola and the outdoor room I created underneath. Since I installed it in April, we have gotten so much use out of this space.
In the past, I have always added versatile lanterns to our outdoor spaces and I buy battery-operated candles to place inside of them. However, I found that the candles never lasted more than a season and would get waterlogged quickly. Now, I’m a fan of choosing solar lanterns from the start! They last longer and there is no need to constantly replace batteries!
I purchased three of these outdoor lanterns last summer and left them on our front steps near our front door all year long. Yes, even during the wintertime! They still look great and add so much life to the front of our home. I love the shadows they make and how they light everything up out here.
Must-Have: Outdoor String Lights!
String lights are a must-have for me when it comes to illuminating an outdoor space. They brighten up any space and make it feel so elegant! These are the Edison bulb string lights that we added over our outdoor patio table and you can follow this tutorial to see exactly how we installed them.
Ours require electrical, but I see that they do offer solar string lights now! I’ve never personally tried them before, but it would be a great way to brighten up your space without needing access to outdoor electrical. These ones look very similar to the simple string lights we have, but they’re solar!
Adding Landscape Lighting
When we renovated our backyard, we had an electrician come out to run electrical through our garden beds to uplight our trees. It was nice to do it when everything was all torn up and easy to access. We now love the look of the uplighting in our backyard.
However, we never added any uplighting to the landscaping in our front yard flower beds. I didn’t want to pay big bucks to have an electrician come out again, so I looked into solar lights instead. I found these ground lights that you just press into the ground and you’re done. The reviews were so good that I bought a pack to try out.
Guys, this new addition is amazing! They take two seconds to set up (Just turn on the switch on the back, let them charge in the direct sunlight, and push into the ground.) and they work so well.
No wires, no batteries, just solar power! I placed them in our garden beds beneath our front bushes and it looks like professional uplighting when you’re standing on the street.
I know many people use these as pathway lights in their grass and that’s another good idea for these.
Solar Garden Lights
I decided to use those same decorative lights in our front window box and in my flower pots.
I’ve always wanted spot lights on my front window box, especially when it’s all dressed up for the holidays, but again, I didn’t want to spend to have electrical run to this area or have a bunch of wires to deal with. I placed three solar disks in the window box and they add so much!
Since I had a few left over, I placed them in a few planters in the backyard and those also look amazing. I can’t reiterate how much lighting can transform a space and elevate the entire look.
When In Doubt, Choose Warm Lights
Some of these products only come in one color temperature. However, if you ever have a choice between cool white and warm white, I urge you to choose the warm white option. I share more about color theory in this blog post, but in short, warm tones bring comfort, while cool lights can feel a bit sterile and harsh. Warm white is always a great option.
Tour Our Backyard At Night
A few summers ago, I shared a look at our entire backyard at night. From my DIY tabletop fire bowl to our tiki torches, this blog post has lots of backyard lighting ideas and DIY projects to peruse.
Backyard Patio Sources
Patio Pergola // Outdoor Rug //Black Coffee Table // Fencing Info // String Lights // Pavers (color “Greyed Nickel”) // Lounge Chairs // Side Table // Sectional // Ferns
My Favorite Outdoor Solar Lighting From Lowe’s
Solar Path Lights // Black Lanterns // Fence Lights // Fence Post Cap // Solar String Lights // Flood Light // Outdoor Path Light // White Solar Lantern
Lowe’s is my go-to when it comes to all things home. I trust the brands they sell and have always had a great experience with their products. With Memorial Day coming up, now is a good time to grab some deals on some of these outdoor products to spruce things up for the summer months ahead!
I hope you can take some of these solar lighting ideas and add them to your own space. You don’t have to have perfect landscaping or an immaculate flower garden to boost the curb appeal of your home. Lighting can instantly elevate the exterior of any house!