Installing outdoor lighting can be tricky, time-consuming, and expensive, which makes solar lighting for your home’s garden and other exterior spaces a smart solution. Today’s solar lighting options are varied and many—each of them easy to install without the use of costly wiring and the expense of hiring a licensed electrician. A primer on outdoor solar lighting options can help you choose the right lights for your garden or other outdoor living space.

Purposes For Solar Lights

Before deciding which solar garden lights are right for you, consider the purpose of the light:

• Are you looking to improve visibility outdoors for safety’s sake?
• Do you hope to accentuate the look of a focal area of the garden such as a treasured rose bush or other components?
• Are you marking a path?
• Are you adding supplemental lighting to flower beds or other landscape features?
• Do you want to work in your garden after the sun goes down?

Solar Accent Lights

If you’re just looking to create a soft and enchanting glow around your garden space, then solar accent lights may be just the thing. Today’s market is overflowing with solar lights that vary in intensity from brilliant LEDs to soft, ambient white or amber light that puts the focus on a garden bed or plant. Fence post caps can be a great option for outlining your property line.

Explore solar accent light options such as string lights that you can drape from a fence, banister, or porch railing. A solar-powered cube, lantern, orb, or even a planter can be beautiful and add an inviting touch to the back deck or patio. If you have a pond or pool, consider floating lights for even more attention-grabbing beauty outdoors.

Solar Path Lights

Marking a path to the garden, garden shed, or driveway is easy with solar path lights. These solar lights are usually just staked into the ground and installed in minutes. Some may also hang from hooks or brackets. Use them to help guide your loved one’s steps to keep them from stumbling while drawing emphasis to your beautiful outdoor space.

Solar Task Lights

If you want to draw the focus to a sculpture, tree, or other landscape feature, then a solar task light is what you need. These solar lights are bright enough to put the emphasis on your chosen area, and many can be purchased with motion sensors that conserve energy when no one is around. This same type of solar spotlight can be a valuable lighting tool to sense motion near doors and entryways to help you and your guests see where they’re going. Task lighting in the garden can give you the ability to harvest veggies late at night when temps are cooler.