Outdoor solar powered lantern
An eco-friendly lighting solution for gardens and patios, this lantern automatically illuminates outdoor areas without wiring.
Home & Comfort
Decorative lanterns
8 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Decorative lanterns suit the person who likes to set a mood: the friend who hosts on the patio, the relative who fusses over a mantel, the neighbour who lights the front steps every December. The ones that get used match a real spot, like a porch railing, a dining table or a bookshelf corner, and fit how that person likes to light things. Some want a candle lantern for real flame or a warm flameless glow. Others want a solar lantern that switches itself on at dusk with no fuss. Before you choose, picture where it will sit and whether it lives indoors, outdoors or moves between the two.
Kind 1 of 8
Solar lanterns that light up at dusk
A solar lantern charges in daylight and turns on by itself in the evening, so there are no cords or batteries to swap. It suits gardeners, cottage owners and anyone with a deck, balcony or front path. Check how much direct sun the spot gets, because shaded corners and short Canadian winter days mean dimmer, shorter glow. Look for a panel that can be replaced or angled, a sealed housing that handles rain and snow, and a warm light colour rather than a harsh blue-white.
Kind 2 of 8
Candle lanterns for real or flameless glow
A candle lantern holds a pillar, a tea light or a battery candle behind glass, and it is the most versatile style for mantels, tables and entryways. It suits people who already buy candles or like a cozy evening routine. Decide between real flame and flameless first: a flameless LED candle with a timer is easy for busy households, while a classic metal hurricane style shows off a real pillar. Check the candle size it fits, how the door opens and whether the glass is easy to clean.
Classic metal hurricane lantern
This timeless piece adds a warm, inviting glow to any indoor or outdoor setting, perfect for those who appreciate traditional decor.
Flameless LED candle lantern
Offering the ambiance of candlelight without the open flame, this safe and convenient lantern is ideal for homes with pets or children.
Kind 3 of 8
Moroccan lanterns with patterned light
Moroccan-style lanterns use pierced or filigree metal, often with coloured glass, to throw patterned shadows across walls and ceilings. They suit someone with a bohemian, global or eclectic look at home, or anyone who loves a dramatic effect in a dim room. Check whether it is meant to hang or sit, since many come with a chain or top ring. Look at the finish in natural light if you can, as brass, copper and black tones read very differently once lit.
Moroccan-inspired filigree lantern
Transport any room with the exotic charm of this intricately designed lantern, casting beautiful patterns of light and shadow.
Kind 4 of 8
Outdoor lanterns for porches and patios
Outdoor decorative lanterns are built to sit on steps, flank a door or anchor a patio corner. A large floor-standing lantern makes a strong seasonal statement, especially with greenery or lights tucked around it. This kind suits homeowners who decorate the front entry for the holidays and keep it up through winter. Check the material, since powder-coated metal and weather-resistant wood hold up better than thin painted finishes. Make sure it has enough weight or a wide base to stay put in wind.
Large floor standing lantern
Make a grand statement with this impressive lantern, designed to anchor a space and provide substantial ambient lighting.
Kind 5 of 8
Rustic lanterns for farmhouse and cabin style
Rustic lanterns pair weathered wood, galvanized metal or rope handles with plain glass panels. They suit people with a farmhouse, cottage or cabin look, and they work year-round, not just at Christmas. A wood and glass style looks good with a candle inside or filled with pine cones, fairy lights or seasonal stems. Check that the wood is sealed if it will sit near a door or on a covered porch, and that the glass panels are secure rather than loose in the frame.
Rustic wood and glass lantern
Perfect for farmhouse or cabin-style aesthetics, this lantern adds a cozy, natural element to any indoor or covered outdoor space.
Kind 6 of 8
Large solar lanterns for bigger spaces
Large solar outdoor lanterns combine the size of a floor lantern with the ease of solar charging. They suit people who want the front steps or a garden bed lit without running an extension cord. The bigger the lantern, the more a small panel has to work, so check that the panel size fits the body and that it can sit in open sun. Also look at the base weight and whether the light stays on for a useful stretch on short winter evenings.
Kind 7 of 8
Tabletop lanterns for small spots
Tabletop lanterns are small enough for a dining table, side table, desk or windowsill. They make an easy gift for apartment dwellers, students, or anyone whose shelves are already full, because they tuck into small spaces. A small accent lantern can be grouped in twos or threes for a centrepiece. Check the height against where it will go, whether it takes a tea light or a small battery candle, and whether the handle or top finish matches the person's other decor.
Small tabletop accent lantern
A charming and versatile piece, this compact lantern adds a subtle touch of warmth and style to any small surface.
Kind 8 of 8
Indoor lanterns as everyday decor
Indoor decorative lanterns are more about shape and style than light output. A modern geometric wire lantern, for example, looks good even unlit, on a bookshelf, a console or beside a plant. This kind suits people with a clean, contemporary style who want something that stays out past the holidays. Check the finish, since matte black, brass and white all set a different tone. Also check whether the open frame suits a candle, fairy lights or just a decorative filler.
Modern geometric wire lantern
An eye-catching accent for contemporary spaces, this lantern brings a touch of minimalist elegance and unique visual interest.
How to choose decorative lanterns as a gift
- Picture the exact spot it will go, whether porch, mantel or table, and choose the size and style to fit that space.
- Match the finish to the home: black metal for modern rooms, weathered wood for farmhouse style, brass for warm traditional decor.
- For outdoor use, choose sealed or powder-coated materials and a sturdy base that can handle snow, rain and wind.
- Think about the light source: real candles, flameless battery candles, fairy lights or solar, based on how much fuss the person likes.
- A lantern that looks good unlit gets used all year, not just for a few weeks in December.
Usually safe to skip
- Oversized floor lanterns for someone in a small apartment usually end up in a closet because there is simply nowhere to put them.
- Heavily themed holiday lanterns with printed Santas or slogans tend to get packed away after one season instead of staying out.
- Solar lanterns for someone with a north-facing balcony or a shaded yard often disappoint because they never charge well enough to glow.
Questions people ask about decorative lanterns
- Do solar lanterns work in a Canadian winter?
- They work, but with less glow. Short days, low sun and snow on the panel all cut charging time. Place the lantern where it gets open southern sun, brush snow off the panel, and expect shorter evenings of light than in summer.
- Can a candle lantern hold a flameless candle instead?
- Yes. Most candle lanterns fit a battery candle of the same size as a pillar or tea light. Measure the inside height and base width, and consider a flameless candle with a timer so it switches on each evening by itself.
- What can go inside a lantern besides a candle?
- Fairy lights, pine cones, evergreen sprigs, ornaments, dried flowers or a small plant all work well. Filling a lantern this way lets it stay out as decor all year and change with the seasons.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All decorative lanterns picks
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