There comes a time when we remember our gardens (or whatever outdoor space we’ve got) come out of the dark and we’re able to use them again. But, they’ve been sitting out there forgotten for so long. It’s no shock when the lights come on, we step outside and see… last years garden trends looking a little worse for wear.

We’ve done some digging, it’s time to shed a little light on the brightest garden trends of 2024. Get inspired to turn your outdoor space into an oasis. We’ve even gone as far as to show off what AI thinks is the ultimate version of each garden style.

Horti-Futurism.

Blending traditional horticulture and sci-fi aesthetics. 

 Go a step further than modern, step into the future. This is a trend that’s all about bright colours, sustainable choices, blending technology with nature and geometric design.

This trend is loving plants in oranges, fuchsias, dark pinks and purples. Add dimension to your flower beds that make it feel beyond this era. If those colours still aren’t enough, try adding a pop with stake lights in your flower beds or flowerpots. Either using white light to enhance the colours of the plants, or RGB lighting to supplement that colour.

Smart lighting is the easiest way to incorporate that high tech feel into the garden, with lots of IP44 or IP65 rated smart lights ready to be set to a schedule, controlled from afar or set to change on their own. All safe for garden use! (Not sure what an IP rating is...click here to find out!)

 

A key feature of horti-futurism is having clear paths and zones in your outdoor space. But what good’s a clear path if you can’t see it? Make sure you’re lighting up your paths, try stake lights in the surrounding grass or flower beds. If your path is on a patio you can use decking lights that lay flat against the surface.

Organic Modern.

Neutral, natural, neat.

A huge interior design trend this year is organic modern, which is all about warm earth tones, luscious leaves, organic materials, and natural shapes.

Naturally we thought, ‘there’s no better place for this than the garden’. Cue terracotta pots, subtle warm glows from within the flowers, and aged bronze finishes. Think exotic, minimalism with a mid-century twist… what a mouthful.

Dotting around some portable lanterns can add some temporary ambience without committing to clutter. Opting for rattan designs or aged metal finishes adds to the rustic, natural vibe whilst simple shapes keep things modern.

 

What’s even better is if (okay, when) the rain ruins our outdoor plans, we can scurry inside with our portable lamps in tow and set up inside.

Water features are a commitment worth making for the perfect organic modern garden. The sounds of water trickling will do wonders for the vibe.

Eco-Concious.

Sustainability isn't a trend, but it is cool.

Wanting to be as eco-conscious as possible can be a hefty task to take on and can often feel like a limitation or a chore. We’re all for being weary of our carbon footprints but we’re also about finding smart ways to lessen our impact without breaking our backs.

Start by always choosing LED. This is an easy change to make across all your lighting that massively reduces energy consumption and lessens wastage. LED lasts way longer than halogen bulbs do, meaning you’re throwing them away and buying new bulbs way less. Not to mention there’s a lot more flexibility with LED lighting, which means more possibilities for lighting up that garden.

 

Enlist the assistance of smart lighting.  

Build a routine once, and stick to it.

Or, go right to the source and set your garden to soak up the sun. Incorporating solar lights into your garden reduces your energy consumption to a big old zero. The lights will absorb energy from sun light throughout the day and switch themselves on as soon as the sun is done with its shift.

Wellbeing Gardens.

Much more than a wellness fad, grow your own joy.

With these busy modern lives, it’s important to find the time (and space) to centre yourself and enjoy some real peace of mind. It’s not news that spending more time outdoors can help reduce stress and inspire mindfulness.

As much as lighting a garden is a necessary step, it’s also a perfect finishing touch to the vibe you’re trying to craft. When you’re trying to create an oasis of mental well being it’s especially important. Colour theory tells us that using different coloured lighting can have a powerful effect on our emotions. Adorning your garden with RGB smart lighting will give you access to millions of colours. You can tailor your outdoor wellbeing time to what you need every time.

 

Goth Gardens.

Roses are red, lanterns are lit, want a goth garden?

Do it.

Having access to some cathedral ruins overrun with moss and ivy is the ideal starting point for any Gothic garden, but alas hard to come by. Don’t worry, though, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you bring out your inner Morticia Addams.

Stonework hidden amongst the greenery of your outdoor space is key to getting that Victorian gothic feel in the garden. Bonus points if you’ve managed to source a gargoyle. Use lighting in the flower beds to add extra drama in the evening by lighting up your stonework.

 

Uplighting trees in a warm white or passionate red can add a drama to the garden. Hanging caged or glass and metal lanterns in black or aged metals adds dimension to the trees and mystery to the space.  

 

Indoor/Outdoor.

When the weather's good you may as well just set up shop out there.

Biophilic design is an interior design trend that just keeps coming back, we always seem to want to bring the outdoors in. Now, we’re taking the indoors out.

Setting up living areas in the garden with weatherproof sofas, a coffee table and, of course, some lamps, is one way to do that. Encourage yourself and your family to unplug from the TV and relax in the outdoor sitting room for some quality time. Or, be the envy of all your friends and family by inviting them over for an evening on the sofa but under the stars.

   Portable lanterns and table lamps are ideal for these spaces. They don’t require outlets and there are no wires to create any hazards. Opt for rechargeable if you don’t mind not having them around as décor during the day or solar powered if they’re integral pieces around the clock.

 

If your garden’s a sun trap and you’re worried about too much of a good thing, you can always include a patio umbrella, parasol, or pagoda. Then you can string fairy lights along the underside so the canopy is ultra twinkly once nighttime rolls around.

Plants for Privacy.

No peeking over the hedge.

Utilising plants for privacy could look a load of different ways depending on your garden layout, the plants you choose for the border of your garden and whether you’re using those plants to create the border or hide the border.

Using angularly trimmed and maintained hedges can give a crisp, modern feel to your leafy hiding spot. Whereas slightly less rigid hedges with flowers in the mix might evoke more of a british country side feeling. If you're a little more bohemian than that... just let that garden grow, and be surrounded by your own little jungle. 

Who doesn't want a lounger in the middle of a maze?

 

Either way, those gorgeous, leafy barriers run the risk of falling into the background without adding dimension. That’s where lighting comes in. Use stake lights to highlight the borders from the ground, keeping those garden limits bright and clear into the night. If you’re using plants to camouflage existing fencing, some lights installed onto the fence can add dimension to the body of the greenery.

Maximalism.

Whatever makes you happy. No rules, just vibes.

      If you’re feeling a little boxed in thinking that you have to pick one of the garden trends we’ve highlighted here, we’ve got good news – you don’t. You can have it all, all at once. We never shy away from maximalism.

Bold colours, flashy designs and at least one of everything. Maximalist garden lighting means clashing colours that somehow work. A mixture of wall lights, hanging lights, table lamps, lanterns, and string lights make sure that ambience is palpable.

It's your garden, fill it with things that spark joy. A huge part of that for most people is lighting. Candles here, lanterns there, and the twinkle of fairy lights should light up your treasure trove nicely.