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.