The secret to creating a festive party atmosphere in an instant: mood lighting. When it comes to evening get-togethers, candles and decorative party lights are often the discerning factors for turning an ordinary setting into an extraordinary one. During the summer, you can’t ask for a much better party atmosphere than a lush backyard all lit up with twinkle lights and lanterns.

Speaking of party lanterns, there are some fabulous designs available this season that will look great at your next soirée both before and after the sun goes down. Case in point: the ultra-modern Pressick Lanterns from Pottery Barn (pictured above, right), which feature vibrant colors and a sleek, tapered form. Pressick Lanterns are available in 2 sizes and can be used as tabletop décor or as a hanging party decoration ($24-$34 each).

Pottery Barn's colorful, oversize Napa Lanterns (pictured above, left) are another great option for brightening up the party and come in vibrant shades of aqua, green, and orange ($39 each).

For a more elegant party look, try an all-white color palette and choose white lights and lanterns with a chic, romantic feel. These pretty, Moorish-inspired Ibiza Lanterns (pictured above, right) from Wrapables would look amazing as the table centerpiece for an outdoor dinner party, and Perforated Lanterns from west elm are perfect for brightening up food and drink tables or hanging from a backyard trellis. (Ibiza Lanterns: $13.95-$21.95; Perforated Lanterns: $39-$59)

Add a glow of sophistication to outdoor tables with hurricanes and tall candle votive holders. Scot Bratford’s contemporary Tall CAKE Candle Votives feature a colorful ceramic base for tea lights and a tall frosted glass top that will help breezes at bay ($27/set of 2 at Design Public).

Battery-operated lighting is a great option for worry-free outdoor lighting. Luna Bazaar has inexpensive, LED Lit paper lanterns available in tons of colors, and Splash Lights from cb2 are perfect for floating in the pool or in party centerpieces. These nifty little lights feature dome-encased, battery-operated LED lights that will keep on shining despite any splashes the evening may bring, so you can keep the glow going all night long ($9.95/set of 2)!