Make sure your garden looks gorgeous long into the night with our top outdoor lighting tips.

Summer's almost upon us, which means balmy evenings spent outdoors. Creative garden lighting will make your outdoor space look more enchanting when the sun goes down, so here are our hints and tips on putting your garden in the spotlight.

Make trees look magical

Wind fairy lights around trees or large plants to instantly bring them to life as the sun sets.

Try: SKRUV LED lighting chain with 48 lights, £12, IKEA

Add a splash of colour

Like things bright? Mix more subdued lights with lanterns in summery pops of colour to make your garden unique.

Try: Blooma Meres Magenta Solar Powered LED Lantern, £6 each, B&Q

Create a little romance

The soft flicker of candles will enhance the mood on a summer evening. Metallic lanterns are a safe and stylish way to bathe your garden in candlelight.

Try: Black Moroccan Lanterns, £29.99 for three, Homebase

Give flowers the limelight

If you've been working hard on your garden, you want to make sure your beautiful blooms can still be seen when the sun goes down. Strategically place lights around flowers and foliage to draw attention to them after dark.

Try: Stainless Steel Solar Crown Twin Lights, £19.99 for six, Argos

Illuminate the decking

For a subtle, more traditional burst of light, fit spotlights into your decking, brickwork or steps.

Try: White LED Square Deck Lights, £39.99, Wickes

Get thrifty

Instead of buying decorative candleholders to dot around your garden, make DIY versions. For a rustic look, place tea lights in old jam jars and stick slimline candles into washed-out glass bottles. For a more seaside-chic feel, collect large seashells and sand on your next beach trip and then line metal buckets or plant pots with a mound of the sand and ‘plant’ Tiki torches in them. Put tea lights into the seashells.

For more ideas on creating a gorgeous garden this spring, head to the latest issue of Money Matters.

This Money Matters post aims to be informative and engaging. Though it may include tips and information, it does not constitute advice and should not be used as a basis for any financial decisions. Sainsbury's Bank accepts no responsibility for the opinions and views of external contributors and the content of external websites included within this post. Some links may take you to another Sainsbury's Bank page. All information in this post was correct at date of publication.