Perfect Patio Lanterns

This spring, I’ve spent many hours pruning, weeding and planting, and now it’s finally time to sit back and enjoy the garden. (My Asiatic lilies are just about ready to bloom!) I’m looking forward to summer evenings spent relaxing on the deck and enjoying the flowers, delicious food and good company well into the night. To light up these soirées, I plan to use lanterns. My only problem? I can’t decide whether I prefer posh contemporary lights, country ones, resort-style designs or Indian-inspired metal lamps. Here are some of the ones I’m considering:

These look so polished and would be great indoors, too. GlucksteinHome large glass polished lantern, $40, Home Outfitters. Glass lantern, $40, HomeSense.

My Mom and I spotted this lantern on the left at HomeSense in a perfect blue-grey. I regret not getting it. Rustic windowpane detailing gives off a cottage vibe. Distressed wood and glass lantern, $50, HomeSense. Park Hill lantern, $66-$241 each, Pottery Barn.

The shaping here is a great alternative to the usual tall cylindrical and rectangular versions. Feels so tropical! Gluckstein Home Siesta Key lanterns, $20-$30 each, The Bay. Wooden globe lantern, $30, HomeSense.

My love for Eastern-inspired designs has me leaning towards openwork metal. When summer’s over, I’d use them inside, too. Bombay lantern, $20, Mumbai lantern, $39, Urban Barn.

Modern, rustic, tropical or global — which lantern style do you prefer?

Bookmark our Gardening & Outdoor Living guide for more inspiration and decorating finds.

Photo credits:
1a, 3a. GlucksteinHome
1b, 2a, 3b. HomeSense
2b. Pottery Barn
4. Urban Barn