Outdoor lighting in shady area- any ideas?

Does anyone have any ideas on landscape lighting for an outdoor area? Solar won't work because the area is in full shade.

  13 answers
  • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Oct 26, 2017

    I am a fan of twinkle lights. It just makes an area look magical. There are two lengths in my carport. I also prefer the white lights in favor of 'warm' that gives off a yellow glow. I always wait until the after Christmas sales to snatch them up.

  • Lawdoc Lawdoc on Oct 26, 2017

    There are battery powered LED lamps that could be used. Would have to turn them on and off, or change batteries more frequently. There are solar powered landscape lights (usually not the brightest bulbs in the store) that have adjustable (hinged) solar panels so their angle to the sun can be positioned. On the right styles, those solar panels can be disconnected from the lamp units and relocated to areas where there is sunlight, and create 'extension cords' back to the lights with the use of low voltage wire. Depending on the area, they could be strung overhead, or left on the ground or buried a little below the ground surface if using the proper wiring designed to be placed underground.

  • Lawdoc Lawdoc on Oct 26, 2017

    Could run conduit for 120V AC power to each location, but that's going up in cost, etc.

  • Can you run electricity to the area for string lights? Otherwise, tiki torches, candles and battery powered items will be you other options.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Oct 26, 2017

    Torches, candles and mini Christmas lights strung from the house with an outdoor extension cord are quick, cheap fixes.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 26, 2017

    Use low powered security lights

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 26, 2017

    Run a string of Exterior Lights or a Lamp Post via a cable. or night lights in Lanterns..........

  • Connie Hillyer Horn Connie Hillyer Horn on Oct 26, 2017

    Thanks everyone for your ideas

  • Chaintop Chaintop on Apr 27, 2021

    We used to have twinkle lights for some years. But we had them in 3 lengths. The atmosphere was really magical :D but now we decided to switch more into eco lightening and installed all over the garden some small lamps that work on solar light. Of course, their effect is not so powerful, but there is still some illumination. We use them in the back side of the garden, so it is fine. For the dining area, we have chosen LED lights. We found them on https://www.litelume.com/ . Went for white lights because I do not like the yellow effect, it makes me super sad :D did not cost that much because the dining area is near the house and we could run the conduit easily.

  • Janice Janice on Dec 13, 2023

    Search online for low voltage landscape lighting. There's lots to choose from and most include the on at dusk off at dawn technology. This type of landscape lighting is more reliable and long lasting than most solar which won't work for you as you stated.

  • If you can run electricity, there are tons of idea out there from walkway lighting to lamp posts.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 14, 2023

    You could use tiki torches (great bug repellent), a series of candles, or battery operated lights.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 05, 2024

    Possible Oil lights might do the trick - Lanterns