On average, LED fairy lights can last between 25,000 and 50,000 hours, which translates to approximately 3-6 years of continuous use – and potentially much longer than that if you switch them off between uses. This means that with proper care and maintenance, LED fairy lights can last a really long time before they need replacing. To ensure that your LED fairy lights last longer, it is recommended to use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, store them properly when not in use, and protect them from harsh weather conditions. Solar powered lighting stores pure sunlight and converts it into an electrical current, which is both environmentally friendly and extremely convenient. Thanks to this, there’s no need for wires. So, you never have to worry about having to hide a mess of ungainly cables or the risk of tripping over them. And you can place or move the lamp wherever you want since you don’t need to connect it to a power outlet. This makes the solar powered solution a great option for garden lights. Battery-powered lighting – works outdoors as well as indoors Garden lighting is often an afterthought, but it’s key to setting the mood and adding a touch of decorative flair and drama to your outdoor space, whatever the size.

If you're landscaping your garden, you should plan your lighting design early in your garden project, advises award-winning garden designer Charlotte Rowe, as all cabling usually needs to go in under the hard landscaping and planting. Love what you’re reading? Enjoy House Beautiful magazine delivered straight to your door every month with Free UK delivery. Buy direct from the publisher for the lowest price and never miss an issue! Need to know 20 lights, 14.4m long (1.9m to the first light, then 14.4m, with bulbs spaced at 80cm), USB chargeable as well as charging from the sun, claimed battery life of 12 nights from a full USB charge, eight light settings, warm white light.Charlotte Rowe suggests finding good quality, compact, waterproof light fittings that are IP67 or 68 rated. Solar lights are a fantastic option for garden lighting as it can act as both functional and decorative. Not only are they far more energy efficient, saving you money in the long run, but they're also easy to install and can be left in place for a long time.

Choose the type of lights: There are different ways of powering outdoor fairy lights, including solar power lights, battery operated lights, and plug in lights. The best type for your space will depend on whether you have access to mains power, and whether you want to prevent adding to your electricity bill or not.Every garden needs a focal point and with well-placed lighting you can accentuate parts of your garden to give it character and ambience, marking out paths and boundaries. For best results, use a combination of different garden lights to highlight texture, depth and drama in walls, fences, steps, patio edges, foliage, trees and water.

PowerBee says this larger solar panel means the lights should stay on for longer, and that they'll work over winter, which not many solar lights claim. We've found this to be spot on. These lights have been shining brightly around a tree in our test garden for three years now; they're often still shining brightly in the early hours of the morning (6am), even in the depths of winter. Installing outdoor fairy lights is generally very easy, and most people will be able to do it without assistance. A few steps to follow: Underground cables must be buried in a trench deep enough to avoid damage from garden tools, pets and wildlife. You should always buy outdoor lighting equipment from a reputable retailer and make sure it's certified waterproof, especially if it's to be used for water features. Unless clearly labelled as waterproof, lights plugged into an outdoor outlet aren't designed to stay outside all year round so should be taken inside once summer’s over. And, importantly, always use a registered electrician, you can find one at NICEIC. Use appropriate clips or hooks: When hanging outdoor fairy lights, use clips or hooks designed for outdoor use. These should be suitable for the weight of the lights and be able to withstand the elements.When choosing the colour of your outdoor fairy lights, consider the overall style and theme of your outdoor space, as well as the mood and atmosphere you want to create. You may also want to consider the type of event or occasion that you will be using the lights for, as certain colours may be more appropriate for different types of events – RGB lights tend to be used at Christmas, while pastel shades are pretty for year-round use. Work from the ground up, then add wall lighting and spotlights to create a layered look, but don't over-light. Be sparing with wall designs on a terrace, for example. You can create a better atmosphere using garden lanterns, candles and tealights.