15 Pergola Lighting Ideas to Brighten Up Your Patio or Garden

Adding a pergola in your backyard is a great way to bring new life to your outdoor space. Pergolas are an outdoor structure that can provide shade from the sun, cover an outdoor kitchen or hot tub, or simply add a decorative element to your backyard. To get the most use out of a pergola, however, it's important to have the right outdoor lighting so that you can enjoy the space even long after the sun sets.

Good lighting is key to creating a warm and welcoming pergola environment. So before you build your pergola, consider these outdoor lighting ideas to enhance the ambiance of your backyard even more.

LED String Lights

One of the most popular choices in pergola lighting is outdoor string lights. For a classic but aesthetically appealing look, do as Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions does in this cozy setup and hang LED string lights overhead, along the perimeter of your pergola.

Starburst Lights

These solar-powered starburst lights from Nest & Flowers create an inviting glow and give your outdoor space a shimmery and elegant look, making it feel like you're relaxing or dining under a star-filled sky.

White String Lights

These white bulb string lights, hung by Frankie of Lucky Plot 13, are more visible to the naked eye than Thomas Edison-style bulbs (known as incandescent light bulbs), adding a decorative garland-like element to your pergola.

Camping Lanterns

If you love the vibe of camping but prefer the glamping experience more, consider adding a touch camp-inspired decor to your outdoor space. This sun-soaked pergola, designed by JNA Group, keeps things fun and casual with an array of brightly-colored camping lanterns hanging from the rafters.

Fire Pit Table

Sometimes lighting serves a second purpose. That's the case for Melanie Cooke of Banish the Beige, who added a fire pit table to her dreamy pergola setup. It adds light and warmth, making it a perfect environment for cozying up on a chilly night.

Candle Lanterns

Rachel B. of Rachel's Lovely Home turned the corner of her backyard into a cozy oasis with this pergola, featuring several lighting types. In addition to string lights and a fire pit table, she added outdoor candle lanterns as a garden lighting accent.

Hanging Light Fixture

For a more formal or permanent space, installing a hanging light structure is a great choice. This elegant pergola, designed by Tribe Design Group, features a rectangular chandelier above an inviting dining table.

Rattan Lanterns

All-weather rattan lanterns make Kirsten Diane's boho-inspired pergola feel especially cozy and inviting. For added depth, choose lanterns of different shapes and sizes to hang,

Mix-and-Match Hanging Pendant Lighting

When it came time to choose lighting for her pergola, Laquita Tate Interior Styling and Design embraced the natural elements with mix-and-match hanging lanterns. Despite being different from one another, together they achieve a cohesive feel.

Paper Lanterns

While they aren't weather proof, hanging paper lanterns is an affordable and festive way to add flair to your outdoor space. Paper lanterns are available in an array of colors, but Mary Walker of My Renovating Diary prefers the gentle lighting that comes through neutral white ones.

Adobe-Style Fireplace

This stylish pergola, designed by Emily Henderson, features several types of lighting, but it's the adobe-style fireplace that really centers the space.

LED Light Strips

If you're looking for lighting inspiration for your modern pergola, LED light strips offer a stream-lined appeal. This Azenco Outdoor pergola features two lighting choices: LED light strips and a cozy outdoor gas fireplace.

Outdoor Table Lamp

If you don't want to run an extension cord or powerline out to your pergola, consider portable lighting options like an outdoor table lamp. Annabelle Rogers of @designermumetc is prepared with lighting sources of all kinds.

Candles

Amy Waterhouse of @gingerhearts added a romantic touch to the sitting area beneath her pergola with the addition of candles. Make one of them a citronella candle to keep the bugs at bay.

In-Ground Lights

If you'd rather your light source to be concealed, consider installing in-ground lights around your pergola. They'll be mostly out of sight but still illuminate the area.

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Read the original article on The Spruce.