The right outdoor lights can elevate your space and add a welcoming glow. They’re also a practical investment that can boost safety and security around your home, while highlighting the landscape and inviting guests to your yard. While there are plenty of options available, the best outdoor lighting depends on the needs and style of your space. To get started, consider how your family uses the backyard and look for operational features that can make it more functional—for example, dusk-to-dawn operation or smart home configuration capability.

Spotlights are an excellent choice for highlighting architectural details or focal points in the landscape, like an ornamental tree or a seating area where you can relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day. These lights can be mounted on walls, pillars, and deck railings or in trellising. They’re especially effective when aimed down at plants from below, a technique known as moonlighting. This allows the light to softly illuminate the foliage and avoid casting harsh shadows. If you’re going for this effect, consider selecting a spotlight with a low-wattage bulb so it won’t consume too much energy.

Another way to illuminate an area is with lanterns. These typically come in a small, wall-mounted form and offer a more decorative style than typical outdoor lighting fixtures. Some lanterns have translucent rather than clear glass coverings to diffuse the light and reduce glare. They’re great for accenting a back door or highlighting elements you might reach for when entertaining outdoors, such as bowls of snacks, drinks, or board games.

You can even use lanterns in the landscape to draw attention to a specific element, such as a fountain or planter. Aiming two or more of these lights at a particular object also helps to reduce the harsh shadows that can be cast when only one light shines on it.

String lights are another easy way to dress up your backyard and create a cozy, intimate ambience. These lights can also subtly define conversation areas, such as over a dining setup or fire pit. The best outdoor string lights include shatterproof bulbs that are a breeze to replace, as well as controls that allow you to change modes and brightness, or set timers.

Because these lights are so versatile, you can easily find an option that fits your needs. If you want to add a touch of luxury, go with a strand that offers multiple color options and dynamic effects. This option, which comes with a remote control, can be controlled by an app on your phone to set the mood and make your backyard glow. Then you can pair it with a dimmable dimmer to create an extra relaxing atmosphere. Alternatively, you can opt for a simpler string light that’s more affordable and comes with traditional Edison-style bulbs.