Now that the summer’s in full swing, we’re spending as much time as possible outdoors: soaking up the sun, swimming, playing with the kids, relaxing on the porch at night. Summertime is the season in which my yard gets the most use, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that (but please let me know if I’m the odd one out here!). I like to maximize my outdoor space for all times of day, which means I’m always on the lookout for exterior fixtures to keep my yard illuminated for night swimming and late-night volleyball matches. Here are a few of my current favorites:

Wall mount:

Love the clean, outdoorsy leaf motif. I think a pair of these would look perfect mounted on both sides of my sliding door.

Hanging fixture:

I don’t have a gazebo or much of a patio ceiling, but if I did I’d have a hard time deciding between these two:

The gas lantern creates such authentic, cozy ambiance, and the Kalco fixture’s rustic design just begs to be hung outdoors.

Pier mount:

Pier mount lights may be mounted directly onto a deck (which, unfortunately, I don’t have – I love these fixtures) or a column. Vibia’s whimsically shaped pier mount lights are calling my name!

Technically this one can be mounted along a path, but I think its shape would look better atop a column. What do you think?

For lining my path, I’d rather pick this one:

Here’s what it looks like switched on:

Then again, you can always go with a post light like this one:

I’m crazy about anything with circles, so I’m already picturing this one flanking my driveway. And the best part (aside from those circles!) is that it uses LED bulbs for better efficiency.

So many great lights to choose from! Which style is your favorite? For more options, click here and check out the selection. You’re sure to find one that you love!