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14 Best Outdoor Lanterns for Late Al Fresco Nights This Summer
Bring on the ambiance.
With summer nearly here, we plan on spending a lot more time outside. Before we get settled, though, we need to decorate. Step one: Find the best outdoor lanterns. This may seem more like an afterthought than a priority when it comes to outfitting your patios, terraces, or pools, but here’s the thing: The smallest details often make the biggest difference. After all, what happens when you plan a beautiful al fresco feast and, the second the sun goes down, it becomes too dark for your guests to actually see one another? It’s in the details, people!
So we went ahead and scoured the internet in search of the best outdoor lanterns, and we were actually a bit surprised to find so many stylish options. Before we embarked on our digital lantern journey, we were expecting to discover a lot (read: hundreds) of lanterns you’d bring on a camping trip or keep in the closet in case of an electrical blackout. Instead, we were pleasantly shocked to see so many beautiful alternatives. From mouth-blown glass lanterns to weather-proof rattan ones filled with flameless candles, there are quite a few beautiful ones on our list.
The best part? Most of them are under $50, so go ahead and grab yourself one or two for your first summer soirée. It may even inspire you to host a few more before temperatures start to drop again. Our suggestion? Snag a few hanging lanterns so you don't have to take up too much table space!
Brittney Morgan is a noted land mermaid and a Virgo with a penchant for crafts, red lipstick, and buying way too many throw pillows. Her work has also been published at Apartment Therapy, NYLON, HuffPost, Hello Giggles, Elite Daily, and more.
Medgina Saint-Elien covers everything your home needs. She writes about exciting new product launches, hands-on reviews, and the "lightbulb" moments in every maker's story. In overseeing key HB editorial franchises, including the Live Better Awards, Saint-Elien champions the work of BIPOC entrepreneurs in the design and beauty industries. In addition to House Beautiful, her work has been published in Byrdie, Snapchat, and more. Outside of work, the writer and poet can be found documenting her travels on social media and saving memes for future use.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.
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