20 Patio Decor Ideas With Candles and Other Pretty Outdoor Lights

Looking for patio decor ideas with candles that go beyond a lantern on the table? Think colorful tapers, little hanging jars and a whole candle chandelier.

These pictures give you plenty to choose from, with a few fire-feature ideas and an indoor arrangement included for inspiration.

You can keep things simple or go all out. For arrangements near plants, books or furnishings, I’d choose outdoor-rated flameless candles.

Keep real flames clear of anything flammable and never leave them unattended.

Candle displays and outdoor lighting ideas to save

black lantern and little glowing jars

We’re starting off strong with this pretty lantern and jar combination. I love the little patterned holders beside the tall black lantern.

The strings of lights overhead carry that golden glow across the yard.

Try grouping your smaller holders beside one large lantern rather than spreading everything across the table.

lanterns beside garden steps

How gorgeous is this garden entrance? Dark lanterns follow the uneven steps, with tiny lights tucked along the edges.

The greenery growing between the steps makes it even prettier.

Try alternating larger lanterns on either side of your steps. Keep them outside the walking space rather than copying the lights sitting on the treads.

buckets of colorful tapers

This color combination may just be one of my favorites here. Mustard yellow, lavender and gray candles stand at different heights inside two buckets.

The white flowers beside them are such a pretty addition.

I’d borrow the colors with flameless tapers rather than copy the exposed flames so close to the plants.

a pebble-filled candle display

If you want something a little different from lanterns, this one is for you. A long oval container holds pale pebbles, large rounded rocks and scattered tea lights.

The little green and burgundy flower heads are my favorite detail. Leave plenty of open space around the rocks if you try a similar arrangement.

Read also: 20 Fruit Tablescape Ideas With Citrus, Grapes and Pretty Flowers

hanging jars above blue chairs

How cute are these little hanging jars? The black wall hooks sit at different heights above chairs with pale blue cushions and colorful pillows.

Try battery-operated tea lights in hanging jars to bring this idea to a small porch. That leaves your side table free for flowers and drinks.

leafy planter and simple candle holders

Don’t want to add lots of color? No problem! This table pairs a black lantern with clear cylindrical holders and a rounded gray planter.

I love how the small leafy plant sits between the candles. For a similar grouping, give the foliage plenty of clearance or choose flameless pillars.

pot-shaped candles and little trees

I am obsessed with this garden-table arrangement. The weathered-looking candle containers echo the pots holding the little clipped trees.

Even without bright flowers, there’s so much to love here.

Look for purpose-made candles in pot-shaped containers if you want that same gathered-together look.

a round fire feature and fairy lights

Love an all-pale patio? The wraparound seating, light cushions and round fire feature make this one worth saving.

Tiny lights run across the slatted walls behind it.

Read also: 20 Backyard Patio Lighting Ideas With String Lights, Lanterns and More

This picture shows a fire feature rather than a candle display. The detail I’d borrow is the little lights across both walls, especially with all that green planting in front.

patterned lanterns around a low table

If you love decorative lanterns, then this one is for you. There are rounded shapes, tall narrow ones and a hanging light with tiny openings all over it.

I especially love the patterns of light on the deck. Mix a few lantern shapes instead of choosing everything in the same silhouette.

bottles with flowers and tapers

How pretty is this bottle-themed collage? Some bottles hold loose flower stems while others have tall candles with wax dripping down their sides.

For a patio table, borrow the mix of green and clear bottles as flower vases. Pair them with proper taper holders rather than assuming every bottle makes a suitable candlestick.

clear hurricanes at different heights

I am obsessed with this candle collection. Tall footed hurricanes sit beside smaller cups, all filled with pale candles.

The dark leafy background makes the little flames especially noticeable.

Read also: 20 Farmhouse Kitchen Table Decor Ideas With Flowers, Trays and Seasonal Touches

You don’t need every holder to match. Keep the candles in one color if you want a similar look.

a ladder full of flowers and lights

This is such a pretty way to decorate a porch corner. The ladder shelves hold colorful flowers, small candle cups and a glowing lamp near the top. A decorative lantern sits below.

I’d use flameless lights for a version with books and shelves like these. Keep the white flowering pots at the bottom to frame the display.

a round tray of cream candles

Don’t want to decorate the whole patio? Start with one tray.

This indoor arrangement groups cream pillars and small votives around tied books and a strand of oversized beads.

To adapt it for outdoors, choose LED candles and leave the books inside. The different candle heights are the detail I’d keep.

tall torches beside the pool

These tall torches are quite a change from the little tabletop candles above! They follow the curved poolside path, with orange reflections showing in the water.

This is torch lighting rather than a candle arrangement. If you prefer candles, try outdoor LED lanterns beside a clear path instead of copying the open flames near the planting.

shells around a white pillar

If you are looking for something simple, this one is for you. A white pillar sits inside a tall clear holder, with pale sand and assorted shells around the bottom.

The soft pink and cream shells are so pretty together. Keep your shell details down low if you want the same uncluttered look.

a candle tray and mustard pillows

This is actually one of my favorite seating areas on the list. I love the mustard and rust pillows against the pale corner sofa.

Small candles share a tray with a potted plant on the round table.

The pair of black floor lanterns adds another little glow without filling the tabletop.

three gray candle columns

Prefer something simple without decorative lanterns? These three gray columns are worth a look.

Each has a recessed top holding a yellow pillar, with the tallest column at the back.

For a similar display beside grasses, use outdoor-rated LED candles and keep the group off the main walking route.

a tall lantern with crisscross sides

I love this tall lantern with its oversized loop handle. The crisscross sides show off the candle inside, while pink flowers and a small succulent sit nearby.

Read also: 20 Tray Decor Ideas for Pretty Corners and Everyday Essentials

You don’t need a whole collection for this look. One tall lantern and a little pot beside it give you plenty to work with on a small balcony.

black lanterns and orange pumpkins

Bring a little fall color to your patio with this pumpkin and lantern combination. The big orange pumpkin beside the textured side table is my favorite part.

Dark red and orange flowers sit among lanterns of different sizes. Try carrying the same black lantern style from your tabletop down to the floor, away from foot traffic.

a scrolling candle chandelier

Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous candle chandelier. I am in love with the dark scrolling arms and plain white pillars.

The candles are unlit here, but the shape alone is so pretty above the table.

A small tray below holds more candles and potted greenery. Choose LED pillars if you want to give a similar overhead display a glow.