19 Solar Garden Lights To Add Some Twinkle To Your Outdoor Space

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Give your garden a glow up for spring.

If you’re looking for a quick way to pretty up your outdoor space, look no further than solar garden lights. A couple of twinkly additions will add a cosy atmosphere to your garden or patio, plus they’re eco-friendly and easy to install, too.

Solar lights are best suited for aesthetic purposes rather than for brightening up your space after dark, as they aren't as powerful as mains-powered options. So, if you’re after something more practical, take a look at our other garden lighting ideas.

Scroll down for everything you need to know about solar garden lights.

Solar-powered lights rely on a steady supply of sunlight, rather than electricity. To set them up, just position them, or the attached solar panel, in a sunny spot and they’ll soak up the rays. The sun will charge up the battery and they’ll come on automatically after dark.

Solar lights need sunlight to run, so they’ll work better during spring and summer. Store them in your shed during the winter to avoid weather damage.

Solar garden lights will charge on cloudy days throughout spring and summer as there is more daylight, and more time for the lights to charge. In the colder months, when the days are shorter, solar lights in turn won't illuminate for as long.

Typically, these lights need six to eight hours to charge fully. You can expect your solar lights to illuminate your garden for up to eight hours each evening during the summer months.

No matter your taste, there are plenty of solar garden lights to choose from that will help bring a little ambience to bare seating areas or a garden bar. • Stake lights are great for marking pathways and flowerbeds. They’re easily installed; just push them into soft soil or a flowerbed. • Some pretty string lights or festoon lights hung from a fence or railing add a bit of twinkle to surroundings, and help set the right mood at dinner parties and garden get-togethers. • Decorative solar lanterns will brighten up dark corners, and also look lovely when hung from a tree or pergola. They're also great for keeping handy on your outdoor dining set to add a warm glow to surroundings.

From twinkly fairy lights to gently flickering lanterns, here is our edit of the best solar garden lights to create a cosy, welcoming ambience in your home's outside space.

These pretty twig lights will blend beautifully with any trailing plants, or on a bare wooden fence. It’ll make your space look like it's lit up by tiny fireflies, bringing a subtle touch of fairy-tale magic to your surroundings.

This iridescent lantern will look lovely as a centrepiece on your outdoor dining table as evening draws in. You could also stock up on several and suspend from a tree to create a whimsical feel in your garden.

This chic glass lantern from the House Beautiful Marketplace deserves a spot in your outdoor space this summer. Unlike most solar lights, it has three light settings so you can adjust the intensity to create your desired ambience. It's easy to charge via USB too, meaning you don't have to rely on the sun to keep it glowing – just note that a charger isn't included. Choose between two sizes.

Here's another stylish House Beautiful Marketplace lantern that is perfect for fans of modern interiors. As night draws in, the teak panels will cast atmospheric shadows across your patio and fence. Similar to the Isobel lantern above, it can be charged via USB (charger not included), has three light settings and is available in two sizes.

One of our favourite picks, these torches have flickering lights inside that resemble dancing flames. They’ll look lovely scattered across a rockery or staking out a pathway. Each light has an on/off switch so you can conserve energy when they’re not in use.

Solar lights look prettiest when they’re lit up, but these will look just as striking in the daytime as they do at night. The stylish lanterns are reminiscent of warm nights in the Mediterranean, while the bold orange details add a pop of colour to proceedings. You might also like the matching lantern.

This fun multi-coloured pack makes a fun change from standard white lighting. Suspend them from trees or your fence to liven up your space at night time.

These fun Marks & Spencer lights are set on bulldog clips, so you can string them up on a wire and they’ll look like they're floating. How cool is that?

Each of the copper wires on these charming lights can be bent into shape, so you can create your own personalised display of flowers, spirals and hearts. They have a pretty twinkling mode, too, for a fairy-tale aesthetic.

Even unlit, this outdoor lantern should help to pretty up any outdoor scheme. Mix and match with similar globe designs and hang them from the trees to add some colour and texture to your space, or place on the floor for a gorgeous illuminated glow.

With multi-coloured LED lights, these flowers will provide a beautiful, vibrant display at night. Invest in one set to add a subtle glow to planters after dark, or stock up and scatter through your flowerbeds – it’ll look really striking.

Rattan is still having a moment in the interiors world and we can see why – it's effortlessly chic and timeless. Pop these rustic lanterns on an outdoor dining table to inject a boho feel into your evening drinks setup. They're currently 25 per cent off.

These delicate lights can be suspended from a tree or fence or inserted into the ground to frame a pathway. They’re available in two sizes and suitable for indoor use, so you can enjoy them all year round.

How cute is this little glass solar light? Suspend a few around your outdoor seating area for a low-lit romantic feel. The crackle finish adds an extra bit of interest.

Keep this hanging lamp, complete with a remote and pull switch, in your outdoor reading nook. It’ll make a good excuse to sit outside with your current book a little longer.

Draw attention to pathways or decked areas with a couple of these spotlights. This one comes with a rechargeable battery to ensure brightness is maintained on duller days.

These colour-changing portable lamps are handy when you need an extra boost of light, like on your outdoor table when the sun goes down. They have four light modes, so you can change the brightness and set them to flash as well.

Something a little different here – tiny white bulbs are threaded through this bunting, creating a pretty, vintage-inspired display. It has eight light settings including a twinkle effect and a slow fade mode.

Create a fresh and breezy look with this chic wicker lamp. It’ll look gorgeous at night time but still stylish during the day, hanging from a wall or placed on a side table.

Lauren is our Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest homeware trends, sales and launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Red and Harper's Bazaar.

On a daily basis, Lauren navigates the ins and outs of interiors – whether it's offering tips on how to perfect a garden bar or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the most reliable products and best-value deals, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.

Lauren has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and has worked in various editorial roles across Southeast Asia and North America. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness.

When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital.

Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah

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