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2026 Garden Trends- How to light up your garden this summer
By Matthew Currington,
Technical Director,
The Lighting Superstore
As the weather gets warmer and indoor-outdoor living begins to blend, many people will be restyling their gardens in preparation for summer BBQs, cosy evenings and late-night gatherings around the fire.
Garden lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood, transforming an ordinary outdoor space into an inviting and relaxing place to spend time.
The Lighting Superstore has predicted the key trends shaping garden lighting in 2026, with a focus on softer, warmer and more convenient designs.
Brass Finishes and Bare Bulbs
The growing trend of brass accents and exposed bulb lighting in kitchens reflects a departure from clinical minimalist styles, and this shift is now extending into outdoor spaces.
Brass garden lights mix modern and vintage design, maintaining a sleek aesthetic while introducing warmth and personality to your outdoor area. The golden hues complement the natural palette of your garden from timber and stone to surrounding greenery.
Exposed bulbs can also enhance this organic feel by stripping your garden lighting to its simplest form. They soften the appearance of artificial light and create an atmospheric glow.
Smart Lighting
As gardens evolve into true extensions of the home, many homeowners are making use of automated garden lighting, from motion sensors to solar-powered lights, adding a convenient and sustainable approach for eco-conscious homeowners.
In 2026, people continue looking for garden lighting that mirrors the ease and responsiveness of their indoor setup.
Smart outdoor lighting delivers exactly that, allowing you to control brightness, colour and timing directly from an app on your phone.
Dimmable LEDs and lights with multi-colour options make it easy to tailor your outdoor ambience to suit any mood or occasion.
Chesham IP44 Outdoor Textured Black Sensor Light 70331
A Touch of Whimsy
Move over cottagecore, 2026 is the year of burrowcore – a trend centred on creating cosy, storybook-inspired spaces reminiscent of a fairytale scene.
In a clear departure from minimalism, gardens are becoming more whimsical, expressive and lived-in.
Think mushroom-shaped lamps and glowing orbs – like this globe spike LED – lining walkways, alongside hanging fairy lights and lanterns. Burrowcore gardens will also be accessorised with charming accents like gnomes and water features.
Puglia LED IP44 Small White Plastic Solar Globe Spike Light 22441
Pinterest Predicts’ 2026 report echoes this movement with its ‘Wilderkind’ trend – capturing a return to nature and a hint of forest magic that perfectly reflects this new whimsical approach to garden design.
Saler IP65 Dark Grey Round Adjustable Outdoor Spotlight M9100
Layered Lighting
Moving towards a more natural and aesthetic feel in your garden, layered lighting in 2026 will create depth and ambience by balancing illumination with warm accent lighting for your ideal atmosphere on summer nights.
Rather than opting for uniform brightness, layered lighting introduces different lighting types for different areas and purposes within your outdoor space, much like an indoor setup.
Highlight standout features in your garden with lights like this rounded adjustable LED spotlight to create drama and dimension, or use uplighting to draw the eye to focal points like large trees and garden statues. Softer fairy lights can create cosy seating areas, while brighter wall lights and lamp posts provide clear illumination for walkways.
Matthew Currington, Technical Director
