It’s no secret that Roya and I enjoy lights. In lieu of a flower budget for our 2021 wedding here at home, we allocated funds to an illumination budget. The majority of our spending focused on outside lights, and with two acres of ground and hills to cover this meant solar lighting was our only option. Getting anywhere close to our current setup required an incredible amount of trialing and learning which products were worth keeping.
Bit by bit we have constructed a lovely tapestry of light on our property. This article is a summary of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of hours we’ve spent researching, purchasing, tinkering, returning, re-upping, and smiling over the past couple years.
We have a couple ground rules when evaluating a potential purchase:
- Reliably durable. Sun, water, and weather-proof.
- Looks and feel. Tastefully applicable to our home or property.
- Visual comfort. Warm white lights and seamless color transitions.
Without further adieu, gorgeous illumination awaits your home and property.
All of the below product shots were captured on our property. Enjoy!
Magic Mushrooms
Easily in our top 5, these are crowd-pleasing and incredibly durable. They also have multiple modes in case you want to create a multicolor mushroom rave in your backyard.
Curtain Lights
(around gazebo)
These are wonderful in tons of places. We hung them on our circular front yard gazebo and captured a fun secret garden aesthetic for our wedding photos. They last for hours per charge and are incredibly durable.
Fairy Lights
(top of gazebo)
Surprisingly resilient and long-lasting, you should always have a few pair of these on hand for some sort of occasion.
Flower Garden
These flower lights form a whimsical canopy inside our “half moon” patio furniture. They have a way of teleporting us to another place, especially after sunset just as dusk becomes nighttime.
Floating orbs
You can float these or hang them. We are impressed with how long they keep a charge and with a soft color changing pattern you will appreciate the ambience they create.
Multicolor spotlights
We have dozens of these all around the property, which is primarily due to the fact that an unlit tree is probably an unhappy one. Each of these packs a ton of different color options, which makes them great for tailoring your property to any mood, holiday, or occasion.
Fireflies
Place these up in a tree or in the brush. They are well built and people of all ages love them. Something about fireflies brings an immediate smile to your face, no?
Crystal ball stringers
You’re looking at our first “street” on our property, which is aptly named “Roya Lane.” Criss-crossed overhead is one of our favorite uses of these lights to date, but you can immediately upgrade any area with them. As opposed to standard-sized string or tiny LED fairy lights, each light is housed by a miniature “cracked glass” sphere. They are so much fun.
Warm white crystal balls
Illuminate your evenings with a magical glow using these warm white crystal ball solar lights, perfect for adding a touch of enchantment to any outdoor space. The sparkling crystal design reflects soft, ambient light, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for memorable moments. Effortlessly charge these eco-friendly lights during the day and watch them come to life at night, mesmerizing you with their elegant beauty.
Multicolor crystal balls
Transform your garden or patio into a whimsical wonderland with these vibrant multicolor crystal ball solar lights. Watch as they shift through a rainbow of colors, casting a playful glow on your surroundings, and enhancing the ambiance of your outdoor gatherings. Powered by the sun, these enchanting lights are both energy-efficient and captivatingly charming.
Mario’s mushrooms
One of our most recent additions, these little red fungi look surprisingly authentic at night — that is, if your property’s mushrooms snagged a non-lethal dose of radiation. We love these, as do our guests!
Dancing orbs
A gentle breeze is all it takes to bring these to life. They’re whimsical and also well-refined from a product standpoint. The color transition is buttery smooth and you could easily create quite a scene if you expanded your budget and placed a ton of these in an open space.
Exotic accents
Believe us: they actually look this good in person. These lights are one of Roya’s top picks and we love them. For maximum effect, place the light on fairly flat and uniformly colored ground.
Stained glass sphere
This light actually started its life outside on one of our bistro tables, but has since become a welcome edition to our bathroom’s sun-facing window. It puts off wonderfully pleasant colors and seems to last forever after the sun disappears.
Shatterproof stringer
It gets breezy here in southern California. Also, it would cost a small fortune to run electrical conduit to our orchard terrace. These lights deliver the goods in terms of durability and long-lasting-ness and beautifully illuminate our space.
Motion sensors
Several sizes and various brightness options make these an excellent upgrade whether you’re looking for added security or to lighten dark terrain and avoid a stumble. They’re thoughtfully engineered and have continued to function for years same as day 1.
Color orb wind chimes
Pleasant color transitions and soft illumination make these a solidly whimsical fixture on your property.
Flaming torches
Sometimes we think these might be a little too believable for southern California, but we haven’t heard from any concerned neighbors just yet. These flaming lights outlast literally every other solar light we have on our property, which is surprising since it’s the only light we have that continuously animates through the evening. The price point is attractive, they work amazingly well and overall they’re much less hassle than dealing with regular lit torches. You cannot go wrong here.
Deck corners
Brighten up your patio’s nooks and crannies with these sleek corner lights, specifically designed for optimal illumination in tight spaces. These solar-powered lights provide an energy-efficient solution for enhancing your patio’s ambiance, turning every corner into a cozy retreat. With a minimalist design, they’ll blend seamlessly with any outdoor décor.
Circular path disks
Add a futuristic flair to your outdoor space with these ultra-modern circular disc-shaped solar lights. Their sleek, low-profile design casts a cool, ambient glow that’s perfect for illuminating walkways or accenting garden features.
Seashell lantern
Bring a touch of coastal charm to your garden or patio with this lovely shell pattern of scalloped solar light. The intricate design casts an enchanting pattern of light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your outdoor gatherings.
Fancy lantern
These are playful lanterns which we chose to hang over the pool, casting fun patterns at night The design exudes youthfulness while providing warm, energy-efficient illumination that lasts throughout the night.
Lotus flower
Infuse your garden or patio with a sense of tranquility and grace with this exquisite lotus flower solar light. As the sun sets, watch the delicate petals emit a soft, ethereal glow, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation or meditation.
Illuminated roses (assorted colors)
Add a romantic touch to your outdoor space with these enchanting rose solar lights, available in a variety of captivating colors. Let the soft, radiant glow from these lifelike blooms create an intimate atmosphere for garden parties or quiet evenings under the stars. Enjoy the beauty of roses by day and their magical solar-powered illumination by night, without any maintenance required.
Dandelions
Capture the whimsy and delight of childhood memories with these charming dandelion solar lights. Watch as the intricate dandelion seeds seem to dance in the breeze, casting playful shadows and creating a dreamy ambiance in your outdoor space. Embrace the enchanting glow of these solar-powered dandelions and make a wish every time the sun sets.
Happy hydrangeas
Transform your garden into a vibrant oasis with these breathtaking hydrangea solar lights. The delicate, lifelike petals emit a warm, inviting glow, adding a splash of color and visual flourish to your outdoor space. Enjoy hassle-free and energy-efficient blooms all year round.
The jellyfish
Best enjoyed on a slightly breezy evening, this light has a certain quirkiness to it that delights passersby. A handful of them in a close configuration could create quite a scene!
We hope you’ve enjoyed these product recommendations and may receive an affiliate commission if you purchase one of them.
Lightscaping 
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