27 Outdoor Step Lighting Ideas That Will Amaze You

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Whether you want to use stairs or step lights to liven up your backyard or you only want to see high-end stair lighting designs, this post provides you with 27 curated outdoor step lighting installations for aesthetic and peace of mind. 

Be the envy of your neighborhood by trying to apply one of these in your property.

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A Collection of 27 Outdoor Step Lighting Installations

No two gardens look the same. They use different looks, styles, plants, and hardscape materials. How you move around in the garden is unique as well. 

One way to “transform” a garden involves lighting the outdoor pathways, walkways, steps, and stairs.


For some great ideas with nighttime garden lights, for lighting where you walk, be it on a rock path, climbing wooden stairs, or taking strides on large pieces of natural stone

You’ll be impressed by all the durable, creative ways and ideas used to light our steps in the garden.

Some of the ideas you’ll find in this article:

  • Solar step light ideas
  • Front step ideas
  • Deck steps ideas
  • Deck stairs ideas
  • Solar deck lighting ideas
  • Deck step lights ideas
  • Light for staircases ideas
  • Staircase lighting ideas
  • Patio steps ideas

Under Step and Under Stair Lighting

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source: architizer.com

These outdoor step lights look beyond cool; they make up the stairs themselves, Lighting up the garden with a passion no other step light fixture could. 

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source: lampsplus.com

It makes itself the center of attention at night. Perfect for people that like luxury yet unique appearance. A modern and sleek ambiance.

These lights are well hidden under the rim of each step, giving the elevating part of the step some well-deserved illumination. They act as a real kitchen under cabin lights for your steps in outdoor areas.

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source: homedsgn.com

These outdoor steps remind me of candlelit dinners in a night garden. The lighting looks like it is just enough and not too bright, almost like little lines of fire under each step. 

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source: zillow

Adding LED path lights with motion sensor features will make it more dreamy and a success.

Quite sophisticated and cozy-looking LED lights, with definitely a modern feel. The lighting works well for a smaller area and gives each landing an extra touch, making the stairs look even more unique.

The step lights, arranged in a diagonal pattern going up and down, shine brightly to show you the exact location of each step landing. 



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source: housetrends.com

The diagonal pattern keeps the steps interesting. They also make a great choice for a garden maze or sky garden.

The lights on these outdoor steps look like floating candles. I love the elegant and minimalistic look. Perfect for building the most envied night gardens.

This staircase is the kind people dream about for their garden and backyard. It offers the best of both worlds by having higher and lower levels to enjoy and relax. 

I’m sure this looks striking in the evening, especially at a full moon or a starry night! This moonlight garden setup is perfect for a higher spiral staircase as well!

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The stone pathway to this house lights up with what almost appears like “lighted bricks.” The use of cheap pathway lights in this evening garden setting is simple yet elegant, providing very soft and romantic outdoor lighting and visibility on your stairway at night.

These stone steps look so rich, with light spilling out on every other level look to provide enough light without overpowering. Truly eye-catching and unique!

The bright yard lights beneath these stair treads look distracting from the angle in the image with every other step lit. Lots of light filled the large wooden steps to keep everyone safe.

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source: plow & hearth

I love how these low voltage wooden step lights look modern with a minimalist feel but still look great and provide ample light even with low voltage lighting! Not sure if the “dark area” actually holds a mini solar panel.

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source: eBay.com

Another application for these deck-step outdoor solar lights is mounted to a fence. Fence or post lights are a modern, minimalistic, simple, energy-efficient, yet also very cool and classy look. These solar path lights’ power source is sunlight, and they are great for the modern family in deck areas!

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source: pinhomeideas.com

A modern twist on bright landscape lighting illuminates the stairs leading to an outdoor second level, adding style and sophistication to the garden in a unique way.

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Low-voltage stair lights interestingly flare out with semi-circles. The wood on the landings looks almost to wrap around. The security lighting below each step truly highlights the staircase.

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The soft lights on every other step give you the “runway” approach to the entrance of a contemporary home. An aesthetically pleasing lighting application with controlled light intensity.

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The right side of this residence. A series of outdoor lights illuminate steps, looking incredibly stylish, providing safety and ease of use.

These oddly small lights may not provide lots of lighting for the steps. However, with these lights on your steps, you will never be lost in the dark! Very inconspicuous and requires lots of work, a DIY project.

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source: hpdlighting.com

The outdoor steps appear “steep,” and they look stylish while providing plenty of extra light for the outdoor staircase. The lighting looks practical without taking up outdoor space. Excellent use of light on the handrails as well!

Soothing lights illuminate the steps going to the backyard of a home. Highlighting each step provides additional safety features as well as maturity.

DIY Outdoor Step Lighting

These paper lanterns turn a dull setting into a magical place perfect for an outdoor garden party. An excellent yet unusual scheme for garden pathway lighting or even a stepping stone path.

Planning a gathering and worried about guests climbing your outdoor steps to another level? Adding these DIY outdoor path lights to the concrete steps makes for a quick and easy fix.

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source: feeney’s

Another lighting design would cause extreme jealousy and envy with executed hanging lights under the rim of this deck railing. It looks like a vein of energy coursing through the yard, but not overwhelmingly. Use rope lighting for this type of application.

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source: deavita.fr

The design of these lights built into the step shares some intricate patterns to amuse yourself and visitors. 

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source: archdaily.com

A fun way to add visual interest. Perfect for botanical gardens as they help emphasize the beauty of night-blooming flowers with every step. They do not make a cool shadow, though.

The light appears as the base of these “slab” steps, providing a modern feel to the landscape, illuminating the whole area with feelings… With consistent weed control and maintenance, it will never sleep as it joins the night-blooming flowers in the gardens at night.

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source: clcdesign.com

It was evenly spaced to light up the area near them and nothing more. This type of lighting adds a bit of sparkle most steps desperately scream for.

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source: rowcdesign.com

These step lights illuminate the path and don’t blind, while they emit a “soft” glow to make sure visitors know the location of the seating area.

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source: zillow.com

The fire pit spices up a backyard, and the concrete steps with awesome garden lighting invite guests to what appears to be another level of the backyard. They look good during the day, late afternoon, and even more spectacular at night.

These small exterior step lights do a great job of lighting up the steps, adding the perfect number of lights without taking up space.

h/t architectureartdesigns.com

A cozy garden at night with brick paths, wooden benches, and hanging spherical lights.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @hg_landscapes

These step lights provide a soft touch that fits any garden, especially if you want a more rustic vibe. This type of lighting is perfect for placing on trees like a vining plant, which can better emphasize any plant’s beauty while illuminating the stops below.

An illuminated two-story house at dusk with a modern staircase featuring inset lights.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @rachaelsomervilleinteriors

Love the way it’s all lit up! This stunning lighting provides a modern ambiance that illuminates stairways and highlights the beautifully designed space above. The small size of the step lights also makes them unobtrusive while providing plenty of light!

Illuminated modern house entrance with palm trees and stepped garden path at night.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @lightingoptions

If you have a larger outdoor space with pathways, this type of lighting will suit you! The fixture emits a downward light that adds warmth to the surrounding area. Not to mention, it creates a soft and ambient effect, making it ideal for landscape designs where walkways intersect with staircases.

Modern two-story house at twilight with illuminated garden, swimming pool, and palm trees.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @lightingoptions

Here’s another angle of the image above! The fixtures installed illuminate the pathway with their downward light that resembles the tiny sparkles of stars!

It definitely adds visual interest to the space and is perfect for botanical gardens!

A wooden deck with integrated lights winds through a garden with planters and bamboo at night.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @gardens_at_night

These linear recessed step lights make a lovely addition to stairs or steps that lead to decks or patios.

This type of lighting installed along the edges of the stairs provides a subtle glow that helps lead the way to the garden at night while highlighting the beauty of the space!

Perfect for a beautiful outdoor step lighting display and to leave your guests in awe!

A landscaped garden with a rusted metal bench, stone slab, and lush foliage illuminated by a small ground light.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @gardens_at_night

Here’s a contemporary style of garden lighting to consider. This sleek fixture is an ideal addition to steps, with a design that disperses light downwards on two sides. This allows you to highlight beautiful greenery while ensuring that steps are safely illuminated.

Notice the illuminated seating, adding a soft glow that provides a modern atmosphere!

A well-manicured front yard with a walkway leading to a brick house surrounded by lush greenery and trees.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @gardens_at_night

The step lights definitely showcase a smooth transition from house to garden through lush green plantings while helping accentuate the highlights and serve a functional purpose throughout the garden.

Installing garden lamps at the bottom of the stairs is another great idea to brighten the steps!

A curved pathway with stone tiles and a bench side appearing to cast a long shadow.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @constellationpro

This path lighting has a unique design that blends well with its surroundings while providing functional illumination for safe navigation.

It’s greatly spaced out to make sure that each step is brightly illuminated!

Another great thing about this step light is it’s so easy to install in soil, grass, or gravel, making sure the setup process is a breeze.