25 Dazzling Outdoor Lantern Lighting Ideas

Lanterns are one of the top outdoor design trends this summer, and I think they are here to stay. Even if you have great ambience already, adding a couple of lanterns to the setting just accentuates the appeal of your porch or poolside deck without messing up the existing style.

They are affordable, adaptable, and just exquisite. Here are 25 great inspirations that will help you get in on this cool lighting trend.

Place Them on the Floor

I have to admit, I used to think lanterns always had to be hung from a pergola or a tree. But they make such a huge impact when you just place them right on the ground! You just have to be a little careful and curate the look.

This is definitely the trend for creating those really awesome poolscapes that have so much wonder. I love this idea! It feels like it comes straight from one of those amazing tropical resorts where decorating with lanterns around the pools is pretty much the norm.

And even if your home doesn’t really lie in the tropical belt, it still looks so impressive. The best part? You can easily move them around to create totally different configurations.

Gorgeous tropical pool with lantern lighting and a gazebo in the distance — A gorgeous tropical pool with lanterns and a gazebo way back there

Lanterns and fireplace create a cozy and traditional outdoor hangout under the stars! [Design: beautiful bones and purple stones / Brian Lincoln Photography] — I love how lanterns and a fireplace make this cozy, traditional hangout under the stars! [Design: beautiful bones and purple stones / Brian Lincoln Photography]

Outdoor lantern lighting next to the pool looks elegant and classic [Design: escale design] — Outdoor lantern lighting next to the pool looks so elegant and classic. [Design: escale design]

Lantern style lighting brings an air of dreaminess to the contemporary landscape [Design: Kirkpatrick Design] — Lantern-style lighting brings such a dreamy feel to this contemporary landscape. [Design: Kirkpatrick Design]

Small and private courtyard with breezy ambiance and wonderful lighting [Design: Palm Design Group] — A small, private courtyard with a breezy ambiance and just wonderful lighting. [Design: Palm Design Group]

Use lanterns to add aesthetic quality and supplement ambient lighting in the patio [From: Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby's Realty / Cory Holland Photography] — Using lanterns to add aesthetic quality and supplement the ambient lighting on the patio. [From: Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty / Cory Holland Photography]

Timeless Paper Lanterns

One of the biggest reasons I think we all have this new love for lantern-style lighting fixtures is essentially the classic paper lantern. I just love its unique visual appeal.

The giant paper lantern was initially crafted in China, and then the Japanese perfected it and passed it on to the rest of the world! It is these giant, seemingly weightless lighting fixtures that inspired midcentury masters like George Nelson and Isamu Noguchi to create their unique brand of lighting fixtures.

While the Nelson pendants and Noguchi light sculptures may not be for the outdoors, a simple and colorful paper lantern definitely is great for the vast outdoors. They are ultra-affordable and make such a big visual impact. Truly timeless.

Outdoor retreat for the entire family laced with comfy decor and beautiful lanterns [Design: MTLA- Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture] — An outdoor retreat for the whole family, filled with comfy decor and beautiful lanterns. [Design: MTLA- Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture]

Paper lanterns add color and vivacious charm to the patio without costing a fortune [From: Finch Photo] — Paper lanterns add color and so much charm to the patio, and they don’t cost a fortune! [From: Finch Photo]

A lineup of paper lanterns does add festive cheer to the deck [Design: Bland Landscaping Company] — A lineup of paper lanterns definitely adds festive cheer to this deck. [Design: Bland Landscaping Company]

String lights coupled with two giant lanterns to illuminate the deck [Design: The Cousins] — String lights paired with two giant lanterns to light up the deck. [Design: The Cousins]

Adaptable and Stylish

Hanging lanterns outdoors can be done irrespective of the style of the landscape, as long as you can find a lighting fixture that blends in effortlessly. I’m a huge fan of this.

From rustic and farmhouse to contemporary and eclectic, no matter what the style of your porch or outdoor living space, there is an awesome lantern lighting fixture out there that fits in seamlessly.

Adding one to the outdoor dining space gives it a more festive and cheerful look, and once the holiday season rolls in, this smart addition would seem even more appropriate. Whether you prefer multiple hanging lanterns or a single, giant fixture, now is surely the time to get in on this hot trend.

Rustic porch that is simple and unassuming! [From: Leedy Interiors / Lara Swimmer Photography] — A rustic porch that is just simple and unassuming! [From: Leedy Interiors / Lara Swimmer Photography]

Traditional patio with large lantern lighting [Design: Jason Knebel/ Photography: Jonathan Calvert] — Traditional patio with large lantern lighting. [Design: Jason Knebel/ Photography: Jonathan Calvert]

An entrance to behold - Mediterranean style at its brilliant best! [Design: Thompson Custom Homes / Photography: Steve Chenn] — An entrance to behold. This is Mediterranean style at its brilliant best! [Design: Thompson Custom Homes / Photography: Steve Chenn]

Multi-colored lanterns make a big statement in this narrow patio [Design: Go Green Construction] — Multi-colored lanterns make such a big statement in this narrow patio. [Design: Go Green Construction]

Hanging lanterns - A perfect way to light up the porch and long hallways [Design: Allwood Construction] — Hanging lanterns – A perfect way to light up the porch and long hallways [Design: Allwood Construction]

A Touch of Mediterranean

When I think of gorgeous lanterns with intricate pattern, textural beauty and plenty of color, my mind automatically gravitates toward Mediterranean design and Moroccan influences.

Born from a confluence of contrasting cultures and rich heritage, lighting fixtures with Moroccan style are now popular all across the world, and if you wish to turn your backyard or balcony with a view of the distant coastline into a relaxing retreat, these beautiful and crafty lanterns provide the perfect option.

You can even add them to contemporary outdoor spaces to give them a subtle Mediterranean flavor without going overboard with more elaborate motifs.

Dazzling lighting fixtures fashion an enchanting backyard [Design: Black Bear Builders] — Dazzling lighting fixtures create an enchanting backyard. [Design: Black Bear Builders]

Mediterranean patio serves as a luxurious outdoor living space [Design: Studio Blu / Luke Gibson Photography] — This Mediterranean patio serves as a luxurious outdoor living space. [Design: Studio Blu / Luke Gibson Photography]

Lantern lighting brings Mediterranean elegance to the tropical poolscape [Design: Eduarda Correa Arquitetura & Interiores] — Lantern lighting brings that Mediterranean elegance to a tropical poolscape. [Design: Eduarda Correa Arquitetura & Interiores]

Moroccan lanterns and patterned umbrella complete an eclectic outdoor dining space [Design: Shannon Ggem / Photography: michael Kelley] — Moroccan lanterns and a patterned umbrella finish this eclectic outdoor dining space. [Design: Shannon Ggem / Photography: michael Kelley]

Contemporary patio feels like a relaxing Mediterranean escape [Design: MJ Lanphier] — This contemporary patio feels like a relaxing Mediterranean escape. [Design: MJ Lanphier]

Your Own Dreamy Getaway

The magic of outdoor lanterns is… wow. They can turn even the most mundane setting into a dreamy escape that seems completely different from the rest of your house.

With the idea of a staycation catching on, this summer might be the perfect time to turn your small courtyard, porch or even balcony into an exotic little ‘getaway’ that is a world in itself.

Just pick an exotic theme like tropical, Mediterranean or Tuscan, and then add some plush seating and lovely lanterns, along with maybe a small fireplace, and you are all set!