5 lighting ideas to make an outdoor space shine

By Emma Peterson. 

Catch up on the 2025 trends defining the outdoor lighting market.  

Most homes feature at least one form of outdoor lighting, even if it’s as basic as a porch light. However, in recent years, the market has seen a rise in interest among homeowners looking to create aesthetic outdoor spaces that act as extensions of the home interior. With this shift of interest,  , outdoor lighting has had to evolve beyond functionality. Today, outdoor lighting is all about creating ambience and setting the tone for a functional and cozy living space.. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest trends from the last year that are elevating and illuminating patios, porches and backyards.  

1 – Layers, layers, layers  

When creating lighting withonly  functionality in mind, things like flood lights and bright sconces are often the path of least resistance. But if you want to elevate the aesthetics and design of a space, you’ll need to create depth and dimension. Things like lanterns and path lighting are great ways to create layers of light that are not only functional, but also beautiful.  

2 – Combining materials 

When helping a client create their dream outdoor space, make sure to include different materials and textures that will create a visually cohesive yet interesting space. Mark Tremblay, president of Marc-Michaels Interior Design, explained, “Mixing materials like frosted glass, matte or shiny metals, and natural textures, like teak and rattan, gives an elevated, curated look to exterior spaces.” Lighting is a great way to achieve these types of design, either through the material the light is made of or how it can illuminate other materials.  

3 – Biophilic design 

The interest in biophilic, or nature-based, design is still going strong in 2025. A lot of designers and homeowners are interested in creating a built environment that reflects the natural world around it. When it comes to lighting, this can be incorporated with soft lines and natural textures. It also can be reflected through the material of the products you offer your clients. Grace Denniston, senior product designer at Kalco Lighting, gave an example, “We’re seeing more living finishes, like bronze or copper, that patina over time and gain character and charm as they age.”  

4 – Technologically savvy 

Just because we are seeing a desire for more naturalistic design doesn’t mean that homeowners aren’t interested in tech. From voice-activation to the efficiency of LEDs, technology has revolutionized the outdoor lighting world. Working with your clients to create a customizable lighting system with these tech features not only offers convenience, but it is also more energy efficient. 

5 – Sustainability  

Another big shift in the outdoor design world is the emphasis on sustainability. Grace explained, “CCT (correlated color temperature) tuning and dark sky certification help reduce glare, minimize light pollution and lessen impact on local wildlife. For coastal homes, we’re incorporating turtle-friendly specifications that prevent lighting from disrupting natural turtle habitats.”  

Lighting is an art 

Overall, homeowners are looking for outdoor lighting that is not just a functional safety measure, but something that will make a statement through the ambiance it creates. In other words, lighting is no longer just supporting outdoor spaces, it’s defining it. 

Read more about these trends!