How to Layer Your Outdoor Lighting in Preparation for Alfresco Dining Season
Summer is just around the corner, and next week is set to be another scorcher, with temperatures reaching up to 26 degrees, which means one thing: alfresco dining.
Most times when we have friends round in the garden, the evening rolls around pretty quickly, which means the garden has to be equipped to host people once the sun goes down.
Google searches for ‘outdoor dining’ are up 416% in the past month, as people plan for summer BBQs and garden parties over the next few months.
Layering your lighting is essential in creating the perfect atmosphere for alfresco dinners, garden parties, or simple evenings spent catching up in the garden with loved ones. Many people underestimate the importance of their outdoor lighting in the summer, but it’s actually extremely important when it comes to creating an inviting and cosy atmosphere. You have to get the placement correct to not only add depth and cosiness, but also to avoid the space feeling flat and uninviting.
Top tips on how to layer your garden lighting for alfresco evenings:
Make ambient ‘ceiling’ lights the foundation
Starting with a foundation of overhead lighting is essential to make your garden or outdoor space look and feel cohesive.
To achieve this, I always recommend using string lights overhead if you have trees you can tie them around, or lanterns tied to pergolas.
If you don’t have the means to tie lighting overhead, another option is to invest in wall sconces. We’ve seen a huge rise in demand for outdoor sconces over the past few years, and they continue to be one of the biggest trends in exterior lighting thanks to the soft ambient glow they bring to a space.
Opt for warm lighting only
When planning an outdoor lighting scheme for your summer dinner parties, I always advise prioritising warm lighting over cooler tones to create an atmosphere that feels inviting rather than overly harsh.
Warm white bulbs are great for achieving a soft ambient glow, helping to set the tone for a relaxed, intimate evening setting.
Make sure to incorporate lighting into your tablescape
Many people seem to overlook lighting when it comes to creating the perfect tablescape for alfresco dining, but it’s actually one of the most important elements.
Use clusters of candles in varying heights to add visual interest to the table, alongside floral arrangements and tableware that fit the theme of your dinner.
If you feel as though you need more lighting when the sun goes down, a small shaded portable lamp can work beautifully to introduce an additional soft glow without feeling intrusive or interrupting the natural flow of conversation.
Light up your pathways
Adding lighting along garden pathways adds both function and atmosphere to an alfresco set-up.
As evening falls, thoughtfully placed lighting can subtly guide guests through the space without compromising on the atmosphere.
I particularly love using organic-style pieces, such as small mushroom lamps nestled into flower beds, to bring a whimsical, calming glow that feels super elevated but also cosy.
Written by Claire Anstey, lighting buyer at British furniture brand Heal’s
