What’s the Best Lighting for Summer Entertaining? (And Who’s Doing It Best)
Create unforgettable summer moments with the perfect outdoor lighting. From garden parties to intimate dinners, discover how to transform your space into a warm, inviting haven after dark.
What’s the Best Lighting for Summer Entertaining? (And Who’s Doing It Best)
The arrival of warmer days and lighter evenings marks the start of the UK's favourite season for entertaining at home. Whether you're planning an intimate garden dinner, a last-minute BBQ, or a weekend celebration with friends, one detail makes all the difference: lighting.
Get it right, and your space glows with atmosphere and warmth. Get it wrong—or forget it altogether—and even the best gathering can feel flat, unfinished, or worse, end early when the sun sets.
So, what lighting do you actually need to create that perfect summer setting? Let’s break it down.
Who Is This For?
Home Entertainers
If you love to host garden parties, dinners on the patio, or spontaneous drinks with friends, great lighting ensures your space feels inviting after dark.
Stylish Homeowners
You’ve spent time making your garden, balcony or terrace look beautiful—lighting lets you show it off, even after the sun goes down.
Airbnb and Holiday Let Hosts
Want better reviews and a higher booking rate? Thoughtful outdoor lighting instantly adds charm and professionalism to your property.
Anyone Tired of Heading Indoors Too Soon
If you’ve ever ended an evening early because it “got too dark,” this one’s for you.
What Lighting Makes Summer Entertaining Better?
We’re not talking about harsh security lights or a single bulb outside the back door. Summer entertaining calls for a considered lighting mix that’s both functional and atmospheric.
1. Warm White LEDs
Always opt for warm white over cool blue tones. It softens the space and complements candlelight, fire pits and relaxed conversations.
2. Festoon and String Lights
An absolute essential. They instantly signal ‘party’ and create a canopy of soft, even light across tables or seating areas. Choose weatherproof styles for all-season use.
3. Rechargeable Lanterns or Portable Table Lamps
These lights are perfect for adding glow to a dinner table without needing power points. Bonus: many are dimmable to suit the mood.
4. Wall or Fence Lights
A few well-placed wall lights can frame your garden and make transitions between zones feel seamless—from dining to lounging, for example.
5. Floor Lamps for Outdoors
Yes, they exist—and they’re stunning. Use them to define areas or add a design-forward feel to patios or covered terraces.
How to Get the Look (Without the Fuss)
The trick to summer lighting is balance. You don’t need dozens of fixtures—you just need the right ones, in the right places.
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Combine ambient lighting (festoon or wall lights) with accents (lanterns, table lamps).
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Create focus points—light above your dining table or seating area.
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Make it flexible. Moveable lights mean you can adapt your setup to any guest list or event.
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Most importantly, keep it simple. Your lighting should feel effortless—even if it’s working hard behind the scenes.
Turn Your Garden Into a Destination
Whether it’s a casual evening with neighbours or a full summer celebration, the right lighting is the difference between ‘just outside’ and truly memorable.
Ready to upgrade your summer evenings?
Shop Summer Lighting at Light Monster – everything you need to create the perfect outdoor setup, delivered fast and curated by design experts.
Let your garden shine long after the sun goes down.
