Outdoor living is growing in popularity, and with it, the desire for cozy, well-lit outdoor spaces. Outdoor chandeliers are a great way to add drama and elegance to your porch, patio, or outdoor dining area. Some outdoor lighting fixtures, such as path lights, are chosen as much for practicality and functionality as for style. But an outdoor chandelier, hanging lantern, or pendant, like their indoor relatives, is often chosen not only for the illumination it offers but because it makes a bold statement in your outdoor entertaining area.

Below are hanging lanterns and outdoor chandelier ideas ranging from fun to sophisticated and everywhere in between. Whether you choose a chandelier, pendant, or hanging lantern, you can turn your outdoor area into an inviting and relaxing space.

Properly Placing Your Outdoor Chandelier or Pendant

There are two things to consider when determining where to place your outdoor chandelier, pendant, or hanging lantern: over the dining table or over the conversational area.

When placing lighting over a dining table, center the fixture above the table. The top of the table should be about 30-34 inches from the bottom of the chandelier or pendant. This placement gives you plenty of headroom and the maximum amount of illumination. If you are installing the lighting over an outdoor conversation or lounge area, ensure seven feet of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier or pendant and the floor. Depending on the size of the outdoor fixture, you can center it over the conversation area or wherever it looks best and offers the amount of illumination you want.

Ensemble 32 Inch 13 Light Multi Light Pendant by Fredrick Ramond

Warm summer nights and crisp fall evenings are equally enjoyable under the stunning Ensemble 32 Inch 13 Light Multi Light Pendant by Fredrick Ramond. Gleaming gold light spills out from the pendant’s daring silhouette. The layers of sleek edges with a rich, gleaming finish captivate from any angle.

Discovery 31 Inch LED Large Pendant by Kovacs

Bringing the comfort of the indoors to the outdoors, this dining area features a vaulted wood ceiling and a plush area rug that makes it warm and inviting. The stunning Discovery 31 Inch LED Large Pendant by Kovacs tops it off as an eye-catching focal point.

Why Selecting a Quality Damp – or Wet-Rated Chandelier Is Necessary

You’ll find wet-rated and damp-rated fixtures when looking for outdoor-rated chandeliers and other types of outdoor lighting. Here’s a quick breakdown of the difference between these ratings and when to use them. Wet-rated lights are made to withstand water infiltration so they can be safely used in areas that are exposed to a lot of moisture, such as rain and snow. Damp-rated lights are made to repel water infiltration but not to withstand sustained exposure to wet weather conditions. They can be used in covered outdoor areas safely.

Divergence 54 Inch Large Pendant by Hubbardton Forge

Casual entertaining has never looked so good! The Divergence 54 Inch Large Pendant by Hubbardton Forge brings a modern industrial look and feel to this outdoor dining area. The cool style-conscious design features angular offshoots that provide plenty of ambient lighting.

Carson 18 Inch Tall 3 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Hinkley Lighting

Whether for a birthday, barbeque, or family dinner, food tastes better in an outdoor setting under the Carson 18 Inch Tall 3 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Hinkley Lighting. The bold overlapping metal ribbons add style, substance, and a hint of industrial sophistication to the space.

Advice for Installing Your Outdoor Chandelier

Installing outdoor lighting can get tricky, especially if you don’t have much electrical experience. It requires wrapping copper grounding wires around the grounding screw, stripping the ends of insulation wires, and more. Hiring a professional is a good idea to ensure that your outdoor lighting is properly installed.

What Are the Different Styles of Outdoor Lighting?

Chic and sophisticated outdoor lighting can level up your outdoor spaces with an eye-catching outdoor chandelier, pendant, or hanging lantern. This type of lighting is available in various materials and styles that can showcase a home’s unique aesthetic. Looking for hanging lantern and outdoor chandelier lighting ideas is the ideal opportunity to get creative, be bold, and have fun with outdoor lighting while bringing all the design elements together.

Pomme 29 Inch Tall 5 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Hubbardton Forge

A cozy fire and a beautiful view make this an elegant outdoor area for entertaining a crowd or relaxing at the end of the day. Ideal for outdoor living, the Pomme 29 Inch Tall 5 Light Outdoor Hanging Lantern by Hubbardton Forge offers stylish and functional lighting to brighten the evening.

Sierra 40 Inch Large Pendant by Troy Lighting

The dark wood ceiling graced with the Sierra 40 Inch Large Pendant by Troy Lighting proves that outdoor dining rooms can be just as dramatic as indoor ones. Hand-worked iron finished in bronze takes the shape of bare branches, bringing an organic element to this outdoor eating area. Edison bulbs buried deep in the branches offer warm light that filters through like the embers of a fire.