No power point outside? Good thing the sun’s been on shift all day!
Bring out the plates, pull up a chair and let the garden lights come on as the sun goes down. Our outdoor solar lanterns are one of our top sellers at Biome, and most of our team have bought one for home, too.
Once you’ve watched one switch itself on and cast little patterns across the table, you’ll see why. It’s a bit like ‘keeping company with the moon’, as our customer Edie puts it.
Quick answer: Can I light up my garden without a power point?
Yes. Outdoor solar lanterns and solar fairy lights can give your garden a soft glow without mains electricity. A small solar panel charges a rechargeable battery during the day. At dusk, the lights come on. Try a lantern in a tree, one on the table, or a string of little starbursts along the verandah.
Why we love these solar lanterns
- Solar powered. No mains electricity needed. Give the panel a sunny spot to charge the built-in rechargeable battery. The lantern switches itself on at dusk and off at dawn.
- Weatherproof and well made. Lumiz lanterns are handmade with weatherproof, tear-resistant Tyvek shades and a wire frame that helps hold their shape. They have a delicate, paper-like finish and are made for evenings outside, season after season.
- Take the glow with you. Hang one from a sunny branch using the built-in handle, or charge it during the day and bring it onto the balcony or indoors after dark.
- Beautiful by day, even better after dark. Enjoy the colours and patterns in daylight. At dusk, the warm light shines through the cut-outs and casts little shadows around you.
- A gift they’ll enjoy on an ordinary Tuesday. Pick a colour or pattern that feels like them. It’s a little something they can enjoy long after the birthday, housewarming or Christmas lunch.
A little sunshine tip: The more sun the panel gets during the day, the better the charge. In autumn and winter, or after an overcast day, the glow may be softer or last for less time.
Three ways to light up your garden after dark
A pair of lanterns in the tree, a soft glow beside the drinks or tiny fireworks over Friday night takeaway. Where would you start?
A little light in your favourite tree
Hang a 20 cm Lumiz Round just above a 30 cm Round on a sunny outer branch. Mix two patterns and leave a little space between them so each one has room to shine. Bonus points if you can see them from the kitchen sink.
A glow beside the drinks
The Lumina of London Purple Balloon comes with a stand, so it can sit right on the table or beside the drinks if the enormous salad has taken over. Eating under cover? Charge it in the sun and bring it out with the plates.
Tiny fireworks along the verandah
String Lumina’s solar Starburst Chain fairy lights along the verandah or through the branches above the table, with the panel somewhere sunny. They’re fun at Christmas and make Friday night takeaway feel like a bit of an occasion, too.
Two solar lantern brands at Biome
We stock Lumiz and Lumina of London. Both make outdoor solar lanterns with weatherproof Tyvek shades, LED lights and rechargeable batteries. Both come ready to hang, charge in sunlight and switch on automatically after dark. The easiest way to choose? Think about whether yours will spend more time in a tree or on the table.
Lumiz
Best for hanging a few together. From little rounds to big ovals and drops, there’s plenty to mix and match. Try two shapes at different heights on a sunny branch, or add a compatible stand separately if you’d like to bring one to the table.
Lumina of London
Best for moving from hook to table. Each lantern comes with a table stand, so you can hang it from the verandah one night and set it beside the drinks the next. Lumina also makes those solar Starburst fairy lights that look like tiny fireworks.
A peek into our customers’ gardens
We love seeing where your lanterns end up. Judy sent us a look at hers by day and after dark, and Lisa’s up to four and has been giving them as gifts, too.
My Lumiz Outdoor Solar Lanterns are gorgeous!
“I bought a few Lumiz Outdoor LED Solar Lanterns, and they are gorgeous! They look lovely during the day, and the LEDs absorb the sun's rays. During the night, all that solar energy bursts though the Tyvek covering and brightens the darkness! They are so amazing that I bought more!”
“I have four of these and have been buying them as gifts too.”
Just magic
“They pop on one by one at dusk. … Joyous sentinels casting beautiful patterns, keeping company with the moon.”
One for your garden, one for someone else?
Diana’s given away at least half a dozen. Maddie tried both brands and picked up another as a Christmas present. If you’re stuck on what to give the friend who’s always inviting you over, there’s your answer.
Lovely luminous lanterns
“I now have three of these lanterns, and have given at least half a dozen more to friends and family members - all of whom love them as much as I do.”
Love them
“Really enjoy these lanterns. Have bought one from each of the brands that biome stocks, and one for a Christmas present. Very reliably charge through the day and turn themselves on at dusk to glow.”
Who gets the first one?
A patterned lantern for your favourite tree, a string of starbursts for the verandah, or a gift for the friend who always says, “Let’s sit outside.” Pick a colour that feels like them. Then see if you can leave it at one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best outdoor light without wiring?
For a soft glow around the table or under a tree, try a solar lantern. For a little twinkle along a railing or through the branches, go for solar fairy lights. For steps and paths, choose a dedicated light that illuminates the ground where you walk.
Do solar lanterns need batteries or mains electricity?
Lumiz and Lumina of London solar lanterns use a rechargeable battery. The solar panel charges it in sunlight during the day, and the battery powers the LED after dark. There’s no need for a power point or mains electricity.
Can you leave outdoor solar lanterns in the rain?
Lumiz and Lumina of London lanterns are designed for outdoor use, and their Tyvek shades resist water. If you’re looking for waterproof outdoor solar lanterns for a fully exposed spot, check the care instructions for the whole lantern, including the solar unit. Bring hanging lanterns inside before strong winds.
Will solar lanterns work on a covered patio or balcony?
Yes. If your patio or balcony stays shaded, charge the lantern somewhere sunny during the day and bring it back at dusk. After a cloudy day, the light may be dimmer or stay on for less time.
What is Tyvek?
Tyvek is a lightweight, paper-like material made from fine fibres of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of plastic. The fibres are bonded into a sheet that forms the lantern shade. Read more about Tyvek from DuPont.
Why is Tyvek used for outdoor solar lanterns?
Tyvek gives the shade its delicate, paper-like look and is light enough to hang from a branch. It also resists water and tearing, which makes it a practical choice for a lantern you’ll use outdoors season after season.
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