Solar garden lights: buyer's guide - Grand Designs magazine

8 stylish solar garden lights

Solar garden lights that look great and will brighten your outdoor space into the night

By Karen Stylianides |

With no need for access to a wired power supply, solar garden lights takes just minutes to set up in the garden or on the balcony. In terms of brightness levels, the supplier should be able to provide product specifications including the light output in lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light.

1 Vintage effect

Furniture and homeware retailer Cox & Cox have an interesting selection of solar fittings ranging from tall designs that can be staked into the ground to hanging pendants, string lights and lanterns. The designs are great for decorative effect and a soft glow rather than to provide a high level of brightness.

2 Minimalist look

Garden Trading is a retailer renowned for home and outdoor products that are stylish, practical and free of superfluous details. As such, the company’s pared back Putney collection of powder coated steel path and wall lights are contemporary in style and come with bright LEDs activated by motion sensors.

With no need for access to a wired power supply, solar garden lights takes just minutes to set up in the garden or on the balcony. In terms of brightness levels, the supplier should be able to provide product specifications including the light output in lumens. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light.

1 Vintage effect

Furniture and homeware retailer Cox & Cox have an interesting selection of solar fittings ranging from tall designs that can be staked into the ground to hanging pendants, string lights and lanterns. The designs are great for decorative effect and a soft glow rather than to provide a high level of brightness.

2 Minimalist look

Garden Trading is a retailer renowned for home and outdoor products that are stylish, practical and free of superfluous details. As such, the company’s pared back Putney collection of powder coated steel path and wall lights are contemporary in style and come with bright LEDs activated by motion sensors.

Image: Putney solar path light, £40, Garden Trading

3 Modern simplicity

Reminiscent of a Japanese lantern, this elegant light creates an inviting glow. Designed by Henrik Pedersen, it’s easy to move around thanks to a teak handle and stands 46cm tall. Choose from eight settings via the remote control; the solar and mains powered rechargable battery runs for around 8 hours on the maximum light setting.

Gloster Ambient Cocoon, £499, Chaplins

Gloster Ambient Cocoon, £499, Chaplins

4 Party style

Check the estimated lifespan of string lights, to make sure you are getting value for money. This set is not the cheapest on the market but should perform well for 5,000 hours. Place the solar panel in bright sunlight for the best result; there’s a 3m length of cable from the panel to the first bulb.

5 Rustic charm

In the style of an antique industrial pendant, this design is ideally suited to a traditional cottage or country garden. The shade is made of iron and has been given a distressed finish in either green or antique white. The filament-style bulb casts a warm white light.

6 On alert

As you would imagine, The Solar Centre has a wide range of solar fittings to choose from. Designs range from the purely decorative string collection to functional security lights. The motion sensor in this wall-mounted circular fitting has a reach of up to 8m and emits a blast of brightness for up to 25 seconds.

7 Outdoor room

Lounge in style and add glamour to your patio with a floor standing lamp. A solar panel recharges the battery, giving between 2 to six hours of illumination depending on the length of the exposure to sunlight. You can choose from different light colour options via a remote control, and it comes in charcoal or brass coloured and there’s also a matching table lamp.

8 Fiesta festoon

Light up a tree or a big shrub with a chain of pretty mini lanterns. This set is 4.5 m in length with 50 cm between each lantern. The solar panel is 3m from the first bulb and when in direct sunlight will charge and the lights will come on at dusk, running for up to 6 hours at a time.

For more Grand Designs homes and self build inspiration, Read the magazine digital edition for free.

SCROLL FOR MORE LIKE THIS