Transform Your Backyard with 2025’s Hottest...

Our outdoor spaces are truly an extension of the home, so they should feel just as chic and cozy as the indoors, especially if you spend a lot of time in them. Lighting, through its fixtures, hues, and scale, plays a pivotal role in shaping an exterior’s ambiance. To uncover the biggest outdoor lighting trends shaping stylish exteriors this year, we spoke to two leading voices in the industry: Grace Denniston, senior product designer at Kalco Lighting, and Mark Tremblay, president of Marc-Michaels Interior Design. From biophilic design to cutting-edge tech, here’s what’s illuminating patios, porches, and backyards in 2025.

1. Layered Lighting

Outdoor lighting has evolved far beyond utilitarian sconces. Today, it’s all about layered lighting combining ambient, task, and accent lighting to create depth and dimension, just as you would inside the home. “Exterior lighting isn’t just functional anymore; it has become a core element of outdoor design,” says Tremblay. “Sculptural cordless lamps, elegant lanterns, and architectural path lighting instantly elevate a backyard or patio.”

Rechargeable, cordless lamps remain popular for their versatility and portability, especially in areas where hardwiring isn’t feasible or practical, like garden corners and open-air dining areas. Denniston recommends pushing the idea further with pendants and floor lamps designed for outdoor use. “These types of fixtures help create a cozy outdoor living space and act as an extension of the indoors, adding warmth and comfort while also bringing personal style outside.”

To add drama and subtle depth to your garden, look beyond traditional stake lights; low-level lighting is key. Recessed fixtures and uplighting for trees and shrubbery add sophistication, allowing you to showcase landscaping details. Just be sure to plan for how your landscape will change seasonally, ensuring year-round visual interest.

2. Material Innovation

Outdoor light fixtures are now just as refined and material-rich as their indoor counterparts. Designers are embracing luxurious combinations of metals, glass, and natural textures that withstand the elements while looking effortlessly chic. “Mixing materials like frosted glass, matte or shiny metals, and natural textures, like teak and rattan, gives an elevated, curated look to exterior spaces,” says Tremblay. Expect to see more high-design details in outdoor collections that don’t compromise on performance.

Kalco has embraced this shift with product lines that feature natural alabaster, woven rattan, and even their signature Firenze Crystal, previously reserved for indoor use. “We’re always exploring new, durable materials to use in our product designs,” says Denniston. “Our Pillar wall sconce, crafted with marble, and the Esterno Cristallo collection, crafted with Allegri’s Firenze Crystal and a durable fluorocarbon finish, are designed to stand up to the elements while bringing elegance and sophistication outdoors.”

The main takeaway? Look for outdoor fixtures that bring elegance and artisanal craftsmanship to your backyard without compromising on durability and weatherfastness.

3. Nature-Inspired Forms

Biophilic design continues to trend indoors, and now it’s shaping the silhouette of outdoor lighting as well. Designers are increasingly drawing inspiration from nature’s textures and forms, resulting in lighting that feels more like sculpture than hardware. “Our June 2025 outdoor collections, like Marge and Midsummer, reflect this trend,” says Denniston. These sculptural outdoor sconces are designed to sit elegantly amongst nature, celebrating its beauty while withstanding extreme weather conditions. From flowing curved shapes to leaf motifs, biophilic lighting helps blur the boundary between structure and landscape.

Colored finishes are another way this trend is evolving. Homeowners are moving beyond basic black, white, or concrete finishes in favor of tones that harmonize with their natural setting. “We’re also seeing more living finishes, like bronze or copper, that patina over time and gain character and charm as they age,” adds Denniston. “These colored finishes provide a fresh take on classic designs and add more personality to the exterior of the home.” To embrace this trend, opt for lighting that adds softness and an organic rhythm to your home’s facade—think curved lines, flora-inspired forms, and natural colors and textures. 

4. Tech-Forward Lighting

From voice-activated controls to energy-efficient LED systems, technology is transforming outdoor lighting into a highly customizable and eco-conscious part of home design. “Dimmable and color-adjustable lighting allows homeowners to tailor ambiance for everything from dinner parties to quiet nights under the stars,” says Tremblay. Smart systems can be programmed via apps or integrated with home assistants, offering both convenience and energy efficiency.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of exterior lighting trends this year. Solar-integrated and rechargeable lighting is both practical and eco-friendly. “CCT (correlated color temperature) tuning and dark sky certification help reduce glare, minimize light pollution, and lessen impact on local wildlife,” says Denniston. Designers are even considering marine life in their lighting specs. “For coastal homes, we’re incorporating turtle-friendly specifications that prevent lighting from disrupting natural turtle habitats.” Smart lighting is no longer a luxury but standard practice in lighting design, enabling our homes’ exteriors to be beautiful, adaptive, and responsible. 

5. Lighting as Outdoor Art

While subtlety has its place, 2025 is also seeing a rise in bold, sculptural fixtures, designed to adorn and visually anchor outdoor spaces. This year, lighting is as much about making a statement as it is about illumination. Homeowners are embracing outdoor lighting that expresses personality, whether that’s oversized pendants, architectural floor lamps, or artful sconces.

“Choosing unique fixtures makes a big impact outside. It has the same effect as a statement piece of art has on an interior,” says Denniston. It doesn’t just support the space, it elevates it and adds the finishing touch to a scheme. To pull this trend off, scale is everything. Larger patios or decks benefit from oversized pieces, while more compact courtyards suit the smaller gems.