10 Gorgeous Gazebo Ceiling Lighting Ideas That Won't Burn Your Budget

Spend your summer evenings in an enchanting backyard paradise with gazebo lighting that's sure to dazzle. With everything under the sun — and moon — just a click away, it may be difficult to choose the look that's just right for you. As you browse for your perfect lights, you are likely to find a variety of features such as multi-colored, solar, dimmable, LED or incandescent bulbs, battery-powered, remote-controlled, and sometimes motion-activated. If budget is your biggest concern, solar and LED are great choices for efficiency. 

Whether your gazebo or pergola is permanent or a pop-up, these lighting ideas can be modified to fit any size, shape, or special circumstance. Depending on your gazebo's physical structure, you can choose whether to drape, swag, suspend, intertwine, or clip your lights up. You may decide on a combination of different lighting styles and techniques for multiple, layered effects, but keep in mind that your choices may be limited by what type of power sources you have available in your gazebo. You'll also want to be sure to choose outdoor-rated items that can withstand the elements. Each type of lighting can be found in just about any price range, so we've narrowed down some of the most captivating looks available at budget-friendly prices.

Cafe lights come in dozens of different looks and sizes to match your style aesthetic. These ready-to-use strands can take the appearance of simple clear orbs or any number of variations on that theme. One of the more popular looks today is Edison bulbs, with their uniquely twisted filaments, offering a vintage look. This contemporary take on an old design comes in shatter-resistant plastic with LED filaments that look old-timey, but can withstand the outdoor elements. If you don't feel comfortable with power tools, try this drill-free trick for hanging outdoor string lights. 

Net lights are the ultimate in backyard enchantment. There's no better way to pack so many lights into such a small area, offering a lot of visual impact in a small package. Net lights can be clipped to the ceiling of your gazebo or pergola to give off a beautiful starry sky effect. Net lights come in various sizes and often include handy features like a dimmer, a timer, and a remote control. Color temperatures can vary quite a bit so be sure to get the enchanting glow you're looking for. 

When it comes to simple elegance or casual spontaneity, pendant lights are a perfect choice. They come in countless styles to meet your decor needs. You can purchase as few or as many as you need based on your gazebo size, shape, and structure. Whether you like the natural look of a rattan or something much more formal and stylized, pendant lights are easy to suspend from the rafters or interior structure of your gazebo. Some pendant lights will require hard-wiring and others are corded, so be sure to choose the style that's right for your needs.

The holidays aren't the only time for festive merrymaking. Show your spirit all year round with strands of corded lights. They come in just about every color, as well as the "icicle" variety that adds visual interest. Holiday string lights are often available as solid lights or those that twinkle, along with a wide variety of fun shapes. If you don't already have some on hand, they can be purchased year round at most hardware stores or online retailers. Just make sure you select lights rated for outdoor use.

For a pop of glitz and glamor and a stunning focal point, outdoor chandeliers are an ideal choice. When shopping, be sure to choose carefully between traditional, permanent outdoor lighting and a lighter weight option if you're using a small or pop-up-style gazebo. Many porch-style chandeliers may work for large permanent gazebos that are hard-wired into your home electricity, but a solar-powered chandelier might be the best option so you don't have to deal with extension cords or electricians. You can even turn a few simple Dollar Tree items into a stunning outdoor chandelier.

For a fun twist on a timeless classic, this clever DIY repurposes old Mason jars for a rustic look. You can fashion several jars into a chandelier or suspend each jar and bulb (or lighting source of your choice) individually. This affords many creative possibilities in deciding what shape of jar to use and what type of illumination you choose to put inside it. Examples include small battery-powered candles or a crumpled string of fairy lights. This is a clever way to upcycle old jars while creating a brand new light source.

Achieve two goals at once with a lighted ceiling fan. Not only can you cool down on hot summer nights, but you'll also have a functional light source all in one.  This waterproof and dimmable model at Amazon has a higher price tag than some of our other lighting options, but may be just the combination of features you're looking for including 3 fan speeds, a variety of color temperatures, and easy installation. If you select a different lighted ceiling fan, be sure to choose a size, weight, and power source that will work for your setup.

Nothing says backyard party quite like paper lanterns. In multitudes of colors, shapes, and print themes for any occasion, paper lanterns are a charming way to bring light and festivity to your gazebo. Be aware when purchasing that some paper lanterns come with light sources included and others are merely decorative shades meant to be used with your own lights. Outdoor rated paper lanterns are often made with bamboo frames and are actually covered in fabric to withstand the weather. These lanterns can be hung individually or grouped in clusters for a bolder statement.

Starburst spheres are sometimes called fireworks lights because they resemble pyrotechnics – particularly the multi-colored ones. These mesmerizing orbs are extremely lightweight and easy to mount. These lights are often available individually for under $15 at many retailers or sold in multi-packs. Starburst spheres are battery powered with a remote control that toggles through several light modes for different effects. These bright displays are fully waterproof and can stay outside all year. Because the LED bulbs are at the end of a flexible copper wire, you can bend them into any shape you desire besides the standard sphere. 

Lightweight, weatherproof, bendable, connectable, and sold in a variety of colors, rope lights are the workhorse of outdoor lighting. Standard lengths can vary from 6 feet up to 150 feet and can be connected in series to get any length you need. Conveniently, these practically indestructible tubes plug into any standard outlet and are often operated by a simple remote control. Rope lights also come in versions with color-changing modes, strobe patterns, dimming features, and some even sync to music. You'll have the coolest party on the block!