Garden lights makes a great addition to anyone’s property.  It adds beauty, security, and safety and also increases your home’s value.  However, for most people expensive, intricate garden lighting systems are out of their price range.  Even if you are able to afford them, who has the time to install the transformers, run all the wires, and install all of the lights.  Luckily, if you only want to install a few lights outside there are numerous different options for cheap outdoor lighting that you can use.

One very popular option is to install solar lights.  These lights are easy to install and some are very cheap.  However, especially with the cheaper models, they must be placed in areas that will recieve direct light for the majority of the day for them to work at their best all night.  Because of this, they’re best used for lighting certain areas of your landscape, but aren’t suited for making a whole lighting system.  Still, they work great as pathlights and the occational spotlight.

Another option is to use bamboo fire sticks, candles, or tiki torches.  These work great for parties or can just be used to light up your deck for a late night out dining al fresco.  There are numerous different lanterns and globes that you can buy to stick candles in as well if you don’t want to have the tropical atmosphere that tiki torches tend to create.

Finally, Chinese paper lanterns are also a great option for cheap lighting.  They are incredibly cheap and come in a wide variety of styles and colors.  You can buy them in strings for use on your deck or just buy individual ones that can be placed almost anywhere, from fences, to bushes and trees, or even just hung on the side of your house.