How To Choose An Outdoor Lantern

This depends on which part of the garden you wish to add a glow to:

• Standing: the most practical, portable and versatile! They'll become the center of attention if you place them on a table, or create a virtual bubble around you and your guests when the sun goes down if you leave them around the seating area. If you haven't already got any permanent garden lights, you could use standing lanterns to illuminate the walk from the gate to your main door. They'll also allow you to get creative trying different combinations and layouts whenever you fancy a décor revamp;

• Hanging: because they need to rely on some kind of hook, these outdoor lanterns are a bit more restrictive. However, they could still be a better choice if there's a specific spot in your garden or patio that should always be illuminated, especially if the lighting above your table and chairs isn't bright enough or, on the contrary, is so bright that it ruins the atmosphere: hanging lanterns will create the perfect balance!

The right atmosphere? It all comes down to the type of lighting. However, functionality should also be taken into account when choosing the power source:

• Solar: this eco-friendly option is particularly practical if you don't always want to go around the garden lighting up each lantern. However, keep in mind that they'll light up every evening until dawn! This might not be the best choice if you're only planning on having them on whenever you have guests round, unless you keep them underneath your patio and bring them out to charge before special occasions;

• Battery: usually including fake candles or simulated flames, theycombine tradition and modern luxuries. Not really looking forward to lighting up the candles manually every time? Choose battery-powered lanterns if that side of your garden doesn't receive enough sunlight to power their solar alternative, or you simply don't want them to be on every night.

  Some designs even include a timer, so you can program them to switch on and off whenever it suits you. For an eco-friendlier choice, pick LED lights, which consume less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs, or rechargeable lanterns with USB cables;

• Candles: when it comes to atmospheric lighting, you can't go wrong with candles! The everchanging pools of lights created by their flickering flames will leave your guests with a pleasant nostalgic feeling. If you enjoy spending time in the garden and don't mind having to light them up individually every time, they will be the perfect choice for your summer evenings.

  However, there are some safety concerns that must be taken into account: have you got any crawling babies or particularly curious pets roaming around the garden? Then you should stick to solar or batteries to avoid unpleasant accidents;

• Oil or gas: if you're an unapologetic vintage soul, you might want to experiment with these old-style lanterns, especially if you're planning on hanging them or placing them on a table;

• Fairy lights: looking for something quirky? For the most Instagrammable garden, add a whimsical touch by filling your lanterns with battery-operated strings of fairy lights.

Garden lanterns are an opportunity to complement your outdoor décor and showcase your attention to detail, but… if you place a nautical oil lamp in an ultra-modern patio? It could easily backfire. Before choosing the style of your outdoor lanterns, consider the external décor of your house and the feeling that you want to convey.

The most popular styles for outdoor lanterns are:

• Square – ideal for modern or minimalist décors;
• Cylindrical – still a great fit for the previous styles, their jar-like appearance can add a reassuring homely feel that works well with mid-Century modern and more traditional designs;
• Jar – for French-country inspiration or rustic cottages (and the best to experiment with fairy lights!);
• Prism – for a Scandinavian feel;
• Bohemian – colorful and meticulously decorated;
• Hurricane – the iconic design of traditional oil or gas lanterns is a must for vintage looks;
• Nautical or anchor – for a heartwarming old-style feel, or to complement your maritime wall décor;
• Empire – for a retro or sophisticated atmosphere.

Since lanterns are usually made of heat-resistant materials like metal and glass panels, the most common finishes are black, white, steel, iron and copper. This means that their color can easily complement most palettes. 

However, if you have a brighter accent tone that stands out in your garden, why not look for outdoor lanterns in that color? They might be rarer to find, but the color match is guaranteed to ensure a rounded, cohesive look.