Want to know more about exterior lighting?
See the definitive guide here: Definitive Guide to Outdoor Lighting.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both Traditional Garden Lights and Modern Outdoor Lights have a great number of functions. Firstly it increases the safety and security around your home. This allows visitors to walk safely to your front door after dark, guiding them around your plot or up any steps at night.
Outside Lights also act as a deterrent to unwanted visitors, such as burglarsas they avoid well lit properties where they can be observed. Secondly effective garden lighting can extend your living space outdoors after dark. Sitting on the patio, as the sun goes down on a summer evening with a glass of wine in hand, what could be better? And, even if it is too cold to sit outside, you can still enjoy your illuminated garden from inside your home.
Finally garden lights can add a touch of drama to your night time garden, completely changing the atmosphere by the use of light and shadows to create magical 3D effects. The most effective garden lighting schemes combine all these aspects.
OUR TOP TIPS for creating a beautiful garden lighting design
- Don’t overdo it! You are not aiming for Blackpool illuminations or an airport runway. Avoid the temptation to use too many various lighting effects or styles and carefully plan your design.
- Very bright garden lighting can be garish, so we would recommend keeping the more powerful floodlights and bulk head lighting for security and commercial applications.
- Identify the different areas of your garden and how you wish to use them. Properly done, garden lighting can transform your outdoor space creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- There are lots of ideas and inspiration around in our towns and cities. Take note of how structures and other elements are lit up at night, and use these concepts in your own environment.
- Backlighting can be most effective, LED Garden Lights help to reduce glare and assist in showcasing the nicest elements of your garden will take centre stage when the back of it is lit. This will give the scene a 3D aspect. Lighting trees and other features in the background, from behind, will create silhouettes in the foreground. Up lighting a hedge behind a tree or shrub will have the same effect.
- Lighting Trees. Large trees always look great lit up. If you have a large tree in the middle of the lawn, consider recessing up-lights or using spike lights in the ground beneath the tree, and then using 2 or 3 more lights in the tree itself to highlight the canopy and illuminate the branches and different textures. Thread fairy lights through the branches of a tree to mimic stars.
- Exterior Downlights work best for lighting seating and dining areas because harsh uplighting, will glare and lessen the overall effect you want to create. Hang a series of outdoor pendant lights in nearby trees to create a contemporary look.
- It can be challenging to light lawns, so it’s generally best to leave them in the dark to give the surrounding illuminated areas depth and serve as a frame.
- To avoid accidents, steps should always be lit with Pathway Lights. This can be accomplished by installing solar lights next to the steps, or by recessing spotlights into the walls by the stairs.
- Outdoor LED spotlights set into decking areas are simple but effective. Some well-placed garden pots beside some of the spotlights can create some interesting light and shadow effects.
- Highlight a special feature or plant by training a spotlight onto it, but make sure that the light used is IP44 Rated.
- Utilise Exterior Wall Washers on the façade of your house or fix them high up and focus the beams of light down the wall.
- Lighting water features.When the water is clear, underwater lighting is most effective, and the lights can be utilised to illuminate a fountain or other feature. Consider illuminating a feature or plant close to water to create a mirrored image on the surface of the water.
- Use strings of white or coloured lights in different shapes for a fun look for parties. These may be moved about as you choose and are reasonably inexpensive to purchase.
- Solar lighting. An alternative to using electricity. These are low in intensity and give off a soft glow. They are cheap to buy and safe. Solar wall lights made of stainless steel can be used to illuminate a door, or you can even use portable lanterns, which will add a air of regency to the area.
- Be aware of the effects of garden lighting on wildlife and the environment. Many animals become disorientated by artificial lighting and you can lessen the impact by aiming lights carefully and turning them off when not in use. The use of hoods over lights to direct the light downwards will reduce light pollution.
- Use low energy and Outdoor LED lights where possible, this will make your exterior lighting energy-efficient.
- Think about installing sensor-activated lights that turn on when someone approaches. Using timers or remote controls will allow you to control your outside lighting.
- Use the best quality outdoor lighting that you can afford, this will offer you more options and last longer than some of the cheaper fittings. And remember you will need a registered electrician for all mains garden installations.
- Ask experts for advise if you have exterior lighting requirements, if your in a ‘Dark Sky’ area ‘national parks’ or have bats. Experts such as The Lighting Company will be able to offer advice via email.