Natural Outdoor Lighting & Handmade Lanterns
For magical backyard moments, add some ambiance to your outdoor lighting design.
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What are Organic Natural Lanterns?
Natural outdoor lighting is perfect for your outdoor BBQs and al fresco feasts. But when the sun goes down, forgo the bright over head and try brightening your outdoor space with natural lanterns or string lights!
Handmade outdoor lanterns are best for soft, ambient lighting. They make a dazzling statement after sunset. Place them on your patio, on your tabletop, or poolside. The result? Dazzling summer nights!
Handmade hanging lanterns range from modern and sleek to rustic handwoven pieces. These can be made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, ceramic, metal and wood. Natural lanterns sometimes called hurricane lanterns feature glass frameworks that enclose the candle. You won’t be dealing with exposed flames at all! This makes hurricane lanterns safe for outdoor and indoor use, so long as the lit candle is being supervised. (LED candles are always a safe bet)
Natural wood lanterns can bring raw natural beauty into your home. Organic materials showcase different textures that guarantee you’ll have one-of-a-kind decorations. Handmade ceramic lanterns are elegant and unique. Place your lantern beside your fireplace or welcome visitors in your entryway. Multiple handmade lanterns positioned in one place make a real style statement.
Lanterns can also be made from natural metallic elements. Powder coated steel, iron, brass and stainless steel are all beautiful, modern styles for indoor/outdoor lanterns. Natural outdoor lighting styles range from farmhouse and bohemian looks to industrial and contemporary.
We love pairing the soft outdoor lantern light with glowing strands of string lights, for the perfect amount of ambiance and illumination!
What are the Benefits of Handmade, Natural Lamps & Lanterns?
A handmade lantern is a work of art
For centuries, lanterns have been used to supply light. Up until recently, candles, torches and gas lanterns were the norm. Natural lanterns reimagine the classic design of traditional lanterns for the modern age. Nowadays, LED candles are a great way to enjoy the ambience from a lantern without the risk of fire from a lit candle.Ā Also candles have come a long way, with indoor air quality in mind. Candles made from eco-friendly plant oils like palm or soy, or even beeswax, are excellent choices that wonāt pollute the air. Look for candles that say they will burn smokeless. Remember, a lantern that has texture and geometric depth will put on a beautiful ambiant light show!
Decorative lanterns create a garden glow
Your backyard is an extension of your home, so it deserves attention toĀ light and personality. Handmade hanging lanterns create an aura-like glow in your yard with playful shadows. You can also illuminate your pergola or covered porch with natural wood lanterns. Handmade ceramic lanterns are perfect as decorative ornaments. Just remember, less is always more. With strategic placement, your handmade hanging lanterns can highlight your pergola or patio furniture... Itās also important to remember that soft lighting is always gentler on the eyes. Sometimes you may get to tweak the lighting output to your liking. Warm temperatures between 2700-3000K work best for warm, golden ambient lighting. You have the option to install a dimmer switch so you can personalize your garden glow.
Up the ambience for outdoor dining & hangs
Outdoor natural lanterns are great for introducing focal points in your yard. Warm, yellow light enhances your rock accents or water features.Ā Consider highlighting your colorful evergreen borders, plant pots, and flowering shrubs with handmade outdoor lanterns. Not to mention adorable garden gnomes! Plus theyāre easy to move around. Natural lanterns are easy to transport, with durable handles. You can place them anywhere! Carry handmade lanterns outside for a family cookout, or set them by the pool for a late-night swim. As mentioned, they have enclosed glass frameworks protecting the bulbs or candles. So they make wonderful companions during summer or fall.
Modern organic lighting makes for beautiful pathway illumination
Natural wood lanterns and iron / metal lanterns are gorgeous additions to your backyard landscape lighting while providing safe illumination for walkways. The magical thing about lanterns is their soft, subtle light thatĀ almost glows. It's enough to spot cords from your sprinkler or small steps but is still easy on the eyes. When your paths or walkways arenāt lit, itās hard for your family and friends to see where theyāre going. Subtle lighting, like natural lanterns, integrated into your landscaping, illuminates obstacles and makes finding your way easy. Natural outdoor lighting is especially important if youāve got young children and elderly family members at home.
tips for choosing natural outdoor lighting for your home & outdoor living
So you’re dreaming of transforming your backyard into an outdoor oasis. You simply can’t go wrong with incorporating handmade outdoor lanterns. It’s the little things that make a huge difference. Glowing natural outdoor lighting from lanterns can elevate the look and feel of your garden or outdoor space. Your small patio or large backyard is an extension of your home and gives you a larger canvas to get creative. Here’s some tips to consider when choosing your outdoor lighting.
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Design Tips for Natural Outdoor Lighting
Your natural outdoor lighting design is similar to selecting decor for the interior of your home. First, think about the design of your garden. Traditional and cottage style gardens thrive with a romantic approach to lighting. Whimsical natural wood lanterns or vintage-style handmade hanging lanterns look best here. For industrial or contemporary gardens opt for minimalist metal lanterns.
Next, illuminate key features like your paths, planters, and trees. Place extra handmade outdoor lanterns next to your porch, terrace, or gazebo. Highlight show-stoppers like fountains or sculptures with natural outdoor lighting and use them to illuminate steps.
Natural lanterns are also a great decor choice for inside your home. Handmade lanterns are decorative pieces that can go beautifully on a dining tabletop or next to a bathtub. A glowing lantern can also substitute the warm glow you would get from a fireplace. Or, a comforting night light for your little ones. Donāt forget your front door! A charming cluster of natural lanterns makes a stylish statement and sets the tone of the rest of your home.
What Materials Are Handmade Outdoor Lanterns Made Of?
Natural wood lanterns bring country appeal to your outdoor living space. Rustic handmade lanterns add warm light to your home and blend comfort with natural charm. Natural outdoor lighting can be made from bamboo and willow reeds. For modern and industrial garden decor, metal lanterns come in matte textures and a collection of neutral color options that can elevate the look and feel of a space instantly.
Handmade lanterns embrace the historical roots of lanterns whilst incorporating creative twists. Modern metal lanterns are often powder-coated with different colors. These powder coatings are free from harmful pollutants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Choose natural, elegant color schemes for styling your natural outdoor lighting during the spring and summer months.
Handmade ceramic lanterns push the barriers of beauty. Theyāre made from natural materials like stoneware or porcelain clay. The stunning shadows created through intricate cut-out patterns add depth and style.
How to Choose Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs for Ambient Lighting
Natural lanterns come in all shapes and sizes, some even with bulbs. So, how do you choose? Candle lantern bulbs are a classic choice for natural outdoor lighting. These light bulbs have a flame tip and are closest to an authentic lantern. You will love their just ālitā candlelight appearance in your handmade hanging lanterns.
If youāre after a vintage aesthetic, Edison lantern bulbs are perfect for natural lanterns. These 19th-century style lightbulbs feature an exposed filament design. Get a taste of historic charm combined with innovative LED technology in your handmade lanterns.
LED candles are another option thatās better for the environment than burning kerosene or petroleum-based candles. Another bonus is LED bulbs can mimic the look and feel of flickering candles and use batteries that are rechargeable via a USB port.
There are even solar-powered natural lanterns! Theyāre charged by the sun and keep your natural lanterns glowing for hours. Howās that for eco-friendly lighting?
Let's Talk Landscape Lighting:
Modern Outdoor Lighting with String Lights + Lanterns
Tip 1: Layer Your Natural Outdoor Lighting
Ambient lighting is a great way to illuminate your backyard, but handmade lanterns arenāt always sufficient. Add wall sconces to light larger pathways and a small portable rechargeable lamp is great for cookouts and tabletops! Some wall sconces have built in day and night sensors that are well-suited for doorways and entries. Also consider hanging dreamy string lights in trees or across your pergola to brighten up high areas.
Tip 2: Check For Weatherproof Natural Lanterns
While handmade lanterns made of bamboo and wood are beautiful, they arenāt best suited for rain or snow. Also, natural lanterns with an open top are better for indoor use. Ensure that you keep your outdoor lanterns under covered areas during fall or winter. Damp safety-rated light bulbs are best suited for covered areas, like your front porch. Opt for natural outdoor lighting with wet safety ratings in harsher weather environments, like metal and powder coated pieces. Remember to bring your natural lanterns inside when temperatures fall below freezing. Whereas outdoor string lights rated for outdoors are suitable for most climates.
Tip 3: Use Soft and Warm Lighting in Natural Lanterns
As a rule, warmer lighting colors work best for natural outdoor lighting scenes. Yellow tones will complement your natural outdoor lighting aesthetic. On the other hand, cool lights in handmade lanterns give off an unnatural cooler white look and can make your fixtures look creepy. Avoid bright white or primary color light bulbs.
Tip 4: Natural Outdoor Lighting Still Matters During Winter
Natural outdoor lighting can create an impact, even during the cold, winter months. A brightly lit porch embodies winter decor and holiday cheer. Add string lights around your trees and topiary. Decorative, natural lanterns set on the edge of your patio can distract from the lack of foliage. Winter is the best time to trim back your hedges. The leaves have fallen off making them easier to prune. The colder seasons are all about style too!