Try Out These Brilliant Balcony Light Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space

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Nothing beats the feeling of eating dinner out on your balcony or enjoying the company of family on your stylish new patio furniture set. It's the time of year when the warm weather hits, and you're finally motivated to whip your patio in shape. But while you're browsing for weatherproof chair cushions and ceramic planters galore, you might be forgetting the one component of a good outdoor living experience that usually gets neglected: the lighting.

No matter how well-designed your balcony garden, patio, or deck is, some kind of lighting is essential and really ties a space together. Luckily, options are no longer restricted to utilitarian pathway lamps or not-so-stylish floodlights; outdoor lighting is super chic now—so chic that you might question if that pendant light or table lamp actually belongs inside.

Below you'll find a selection of outdoor lighting options, from string lights to sconces, that'll extend the time you can spend outside and really make your outdoor spaces shine.

1. Edison-style string lights

This vintage-inspired take on classic string lights uses Edison-style light bulbs to cast a cozy glow on an outdoor party.

2. Sunjoy contemporary small black battery powered LED outdoor lantern

While you can never say no to a good set of string lights, they can skew towards basic. The tiny detail of the gold-brushed covers makes a huge difference and adds a bit more elegance.

Buy: Simple String Lights, $49 $39.20 from West Elm

4. Maxim chalet 10″ high bronze and gold LED outdoor wall light

5. Polyterrazzo oil lamps

Is typical lighting making you yawn? That's fine. You can easily go beyond the classic examples of balcony lighting and opt for a unique oil lamp that no one else in your neighborhood probably owns.

Buy: Polyterrazzo Oil Lamps, $19.95 from CB2

6. Pacifica outdoor pendant

While pendant lamps are typically pictured in indoor spaces, they work wonders for outdoor rooms, too. You can select a large one or hang a few in different sizes for patio decor your friends will envy. Plus, nothing screams summertime quite like wicker textures.

7. Uma sound LED table lamp 

A portable speaker and light in one, this go-anywhere lantern lets you control the brightness and play music from any Bluetooth-connected device.

Buy: Uma Sound LED Table Lamp, $479 from Pablo Pardo at YLighting

8. Globe bluetooth LED indoor/outdoor lamp

This glowing orb is the ultimate pool party accessory—the LED light can be placed on the patio or allowed to float on top of the water.

Buy: Globe LED Indoor Outdoor Lamp, $285, from Smart & Green at YLighting

9. Vallie 1-bulb 11.31″ H outdoor pendant

10. Incandescent G type bulb string light with 8-smoky glass shades

11. Bronze cage light shade

LED lights aren't quite the same when they're enclosed in edgy cage light shades. These cool alternatives break away from tradition and will never fail to make a statement on any balcony, deck, or patio.

Buy: Bronze Cage Light Shade, Set of 6, $29.50 from Pottery Barn

12. Battery operated metal indoor integrated LED string lights

13. Winthrop outdoor teak lantern

To really infuse a minimalist, Japanese-inspired vibe into your backyard, a structural teak lantern will work wonders. Pieces like this strike that rare balance between trendy and timeless.

Buy: Winthrop Outdoor Teak Lantern, Medium, $195 $136.99 from Williams-Sonoma

14. LED string lights – spheres and loops

15. Umbrella marquee lights

A brilliant solution for lighting your outdoor feasts, this circle of LED lights snaps right onto the umbrella pole, no cords or power chargers needed.

Buy: Umbrella Marquee Lights, $99.95 from Crate & Barrel

16. Rattan & glass hurricanes

Add the sounds of steel drums and a mojito, and you'll be transported to a tropical island right in your own backyard. Rattan hurricane glass lanterns are vacation-reminiscent but don't cross over into kitschy territory. 

17. Mid-century clear globe sconce

A mid-century modern sconce may be a dreamy addition to your interior, but you probably haven't considered working one into your outdoor space. A lamp that fits in a patio or front porch setting that works with your style—how could you say no? 

Buy: Mid-Century Clear Globe Sconce, $93 from Shades of Light

18. Quentin pendant sconce

This stylish pendant sconce filters light through both frosted and clear glass, giving a muted, romantic glow to a front entrance or back patio.

Buy: Quentin Pendant Sconce, $249 from Restoration Hardware

19. Kaylie antique brass 1-bulb outdoor wall lantern

This trio of solar-powered swirled glass lamps adds a gentle glow to an outdoor balcony.

Buy: Solar Tealights, $30 each from Uncommon Goods

21. Starburst globe lights

Clean lines and a burnished silver finish make these lanterns a stylish addition to a modern backyard.

Buy: Silver Lanterns, starting at $15.99 from Jamali Garden

23. 1-light brick patina outdoor cottage wall lantern sconce

24. Arrington outdoor wall light

Clear glass panels let you peek at the Edison-style bulb inside this wall-mounted outdoor sconce.

Buy: Arrington Outdoor Wall Light, $129 $64.95 from Lamps Plus

25. Carson 12" wall sconce

This 12-inch lamp, available in 10 finish options, including the pretty copper look above, will brighten up your deck or balcony even when it's not turned on.

Buy: Carson 12″ Wall Scone, $269 $215 from Rejuvenation

Source: apartmenttherapy.com