Our garden often serves as an outdoor escape from life’s stresses. However, to keep this much-needed space usable year-round may require a pergola, gazebo or similar shelter.
But what is the best way to keep these areas lit on dark nights?
In this article, The Solar Centre suggests seven effective pergola lighting ideas to help transform the atmosphere of a garden.
String Lights
String lights are the perfect way to create a cosy overhead glow. Using adhesive hooks or zip ties, hang string lights from beneath the beams of your pergola or gazebo.
Alternatively, weave the lights between the beams of the structure to create purpose backlighting and shaded areas. Our Elan Solar Copper Wire Lights set the perfect atmosphere with a warm orange light.
Lanterns
Lanterns are a great way to add a soft light to any deep shadows beneath a pergola or gazebo.
Littered throughout the structure, they bring a traditional charm to the area and provide just enough light without being overbearing.
They can be placed sparingly to highlight walkways or seating areas for an inviting finish when hosting friends and family.
Our TrueFlame Solar Crook Lantern brings a warm glow to any garden by imitating the warmth of a flickering fire.
Spotlights
Spotlights are a great way to highlight specific garden features, such as flower beds or statues.
Solar spotlights can also be used as backlighting for a pergola or gazebo, casting shadows in the areas surrounding the frame to highlight it as a central feature of the garden.
Our Sunlit Solar Spotlight has a sleek and modern finish and is perfect for illuminating any aspect of the garden you desire.
Candlelight
The flickering glow of candlelight is the perfect way to create a traditional aesthetic in any outdoor area – transforming your garden back to a simpler time with a distinctly vintage feeling.
Our Elan Festoon Cage Solar Lights imitate the gentle glow of candlelight while proving a safer, reusable option for your pergola or gazebo.
Uplighting
Uplighting proves a fantastic way to draw the gaze to garden ornaments or structures – casting light upwards at the pergola or gazebo frame.
This gives the structure a ‘larger-than-life’ feel that towers over the rest of the garden, creating a grandiose atmosphere even in smaller garden spaces.
Our Atlas Solar Spotlights are the perfect addition to any garden structure or outbuilding, casting a warm white glow for up to 10 hours a night.
Fairy Lights
Fairy lights are a versatile style of light that provide the perfect decoration for a cosy and inviting atmosphere in your pergola or gazebo. They’re also one of the most cost-effective options and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit any space or design.
They can be wrapped around beams and posts – or even woven between climbers like wisteria to showcase their beauty, even at night.
Our Warm & White Elan Solar Fairy Lights are ideal for any pergola and gazebo, providing subtle yet effective light throughout the structure.
Pathway Lighting
Instead of placing lights on the pergola itself, it may serve the garden theme better to light the pathway beneath it.
Not only does this reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls at night – but it also brings attention to any flower beds or smaller ornaments either side of the path. This option is great when the pergola or gazebo isn’t the centrepiece of the garden. Our Elan Solar Mushroom Lights are perfect for pathway lighting. Not only do they create a soft guiding light to help navigate the path, but they also blend in with the garden thanks to their compact yet stunning finish – drawing the gaze to any planted flower beds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Do You Make Cosy Lighting?
A: To create a cosy atmosphere, use warm-toned bulbs or string lights. Lanterns and candles can also be used due to their traditional charm – and dimmers used to create an adjustable light level. Diffused lighting fixtures, fairy lights and bistro lights also create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any outdoor space.
Q: How Do You Hang Festoon Lights Under a Pergola
A: To hang festoon lights under a pergola, use hooks or adhesive clips to secure the lights along the underside of the pergola beams. Alternatively, use zip ties or string to attach the lights to the pergola structure – creating a charming and illuminated space. It’s important to space out the lighting across the pergola frame to provide ample light coverage.
Related Products
In addition to shopping our wide array of solar lights, check out our other lighting essentials to make sure you’re prepared, no matter the situation:
- Atlas 5m Extension Cable
- SolarCentre 14500 600mAh Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery
- Replacement Solar Panel – Lumify 100 LEDs
- Falmouth USB Bulbs
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