Why Pleated Outdoor Lanterns Are Replacing String Lights This Summer

Walk through any home design Instagram feed this May and you'll notice something: the string lights are gone. Or rather, they've been pushed off-center, joined by something new. The 2026 patio is full of sculptural lanterns, pleated, ribbed, scalloped, candle-lit and solar-powered, and they're doing the visual work that 25 globe bulbs used to do alone.

It's not that string lights are out. It's that they've been demoted to "background layer," and the lanterns are the new visual anchor. They sit on tables, hang from posts, line walkways, and (this is the part that surprised me) they actually photograph better than string lights, especially in the in-between blue hour when you're not quite ready for the harsh dark-sky look.

Here are the lantern styles taking over, and how to actually use them on your patio without it looking like you bought everything in one trip.

1. The Pleated Solar Lantern

Pleated metal or fabric lanterns are the look of the season. The pleating catches light differently from every angle, so even in daylight (when other lanterns just look like dead objects on a shelf) a pleated one still has visual texture.

The auto-on at dusk feature is what makes the solar versions actually worth it. You're not flicking a switch every night, the lantern just turns on when the light drops, runs for 8 hours, and recharges the next day. The hammered metal pleating throws shadow patterns on whatever surface it's sitting on, which adds a second layer of visual interest after dark.

2. The Ribbed Glass Lantern

Ribbed glass is the more traditional cousin of the pleated metal look. It's been around forever in candle holders and storm lanterns, but it's having a moment again because it pairs well with both modern and traditional patios.

The flickering Edison-style LED is the upgrade over plain solar. A static LED looks fake on a real lantern. The flicker mimics candle movement just enough to read as warm rather than mechanical. Pair with a metal frame so it reads vintage rather than modern, and you've got a piece that works on a stone patio, a wood deck, or a metal fire escape equally.

3. The Scalloped Metal Lantern

If pleated is the most popular shape, scalloped is the most versatile. The wavy edge softens the lantern's silhouette, which is why it works in every style from cottagecore to modern Mediterranean.

The dual function is what sells this one. It's a lantern, but it also handles mosquito duty, which means you have one fewer thing on your patio. The antique brass finish ages well outdoors, and the side door is a smart detail (you can swap candles without having to lift the whole lantern apart). At 12 inches tall, it sits well on either a side table or the ground next to a chair.

4. The Hanging Bistro Lantern

If you're hanging lanterns from a beam or pergola, the bistro-style hanging lantern is what you want. They're sized for chandelier-style placement, which means they read as architectural rather than decorative.

The 14-inch height is what makes this read as a real fixture rather than a tabletop knickknack hung up. Smaller hanging lanterns look apologetic, this one has presence. Hang it over a bistro table or a porch swing and it becomes the center of the seating area without you having to redo any of the rest of your lighting. The 10-hour runtime gets you through any reasonable evening.

5. The Tabletop Lantern

For dining or entertaining, you want a tabletop lantern small enough to not block sightlines but substantial enough to hold its own as a centerpiece. Around 8 to 10 inches tall is the sweet spot.

The frosted pleated glass diffuses light differently from clear glass. Clear glass is harsh, frosted reads soft. At 8 inches it sits low enough that you can see your dinner partner across the table, which sounds obvious but I can name three lanterns I've owned that I had to keep moving because they blocked the view.

6. The Candle Lantern

Real candles are the move if you want a light that flickers genuinely instead of mimicking it. A candle lantern doesn't run on solar, doesn't need batteries, and the soft real-flame glow is something LEDs still can't quite match.

The pleated glass with a real candle is the magic combo. Pleated catches and refracts the light, real candle flicker animates it, and you end up with a lantern that's actively interesting to look at. The dual citronella function means you're getting bug-repel benefits along with the ambiance. Refillable means you're not throwing away the whole lantern when the candle burns out.

7. The Rattan Solar Lantern

Rattan lanterns are the warm-textured cousin of the metal and glass styles. They photograph beautifully, they fit every coastal and boho aesthetic, and they cast the most beautiful pierced-light shadow patterns on whatever surface they sit near.

The pierced light pattern is the actual reason to buy a rattan lantern. After dark, the woven texture casts shadow patterns on your deck or patio table that look like the kind of effect you'd see at a curated outdoor restaurant. Indoor/outdoor rated means you can also bring it inside in the off-season, which makes the cost-per-use math work better than seasonal-only pieces.

Quick Tips for Mixing Lanterns

Vary heights. Three lanterns at the same height look like a row of soldiers. Mix one tall hanging, one medium tabletop, and one small candle.

Keep finishes within two families. All-brass and all-black both work. Brass and black mixed work if you stick to those two only. Adding a chrome or copper third disrupts the read.

Group in odd numbers. Two lanterns look like an accident, three or five looks intentional. This is the basic rule of decorative grouping and it applies to lanterns more than almost anything else.

Layer with string lights, don't replace. The new look isn't no string lights, it's quieter string lights with lanterns as the visual anchor. A single warm strand of fairy lights overhead plus a few sculptural lanterns is the 2026 formula.

The reason this trend has legs is that lanterns work in a way string lights can't. They're objects you can rearrange, they have presence in daylight, and they translate from patio to indoor when seasons change. Buy three to start (one tall, one medium, one tabletop) and you've covered the look.

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