If you are investing in having your garden landscaped it’s the perfect time to think about landscape lighting. As work to landscape requires a bit of mess it can be wise to lay some cable in trenches to get the wiring done before expensive hard landscaping is in place. If you can’t decide where to position lights this handy guide may offer some much-needed inspiration.
Ideas for lighting a landscaped garden.
Lighting brings safety to a garden or grounds but it also brings a great deal of visual appeal. And all year-round interest. Bare trees, seed heads and evergreens when lit bring that vitality and brightness that the long winter months don’t provide.
How much light do you need in a landscaped garden?
Less is more for private gardens to avoid your exteriors looking too much like a municipal building. Commercial buildings tend to have exterior light fixtures spaced very evenly and dare we say sometimes it’s a little too bright. Not a bad thing when you are trying to make guests feel safe in a car park but overkill for a private residence. Unless of course, you have a specific reason.
Talking of coastal areas there are specific lights suited to coastal locations. These are better able to withstand the corrosive effects of salt in the air and often more abrasive weather conditions.
Discover Coastal Lights
Think about any features you may have and light them softly. Wash light over the surface of textured walls, garden walls or the stone used in the house and perhaps wash light across the surface.
Large architectural plants, shrubs or specimen trees can be lit as a point of interest. Try to get some with light behind and some light in front to bring a composition together.
Light the front door.
Seating or dining areas outdoors should have the ability to have intimate lighting. Exterior lamps or pendant lights may be used to style much as you would an indoor space. Your outdoor room should have lots of low-glow lights to create that magical effect. Ambient mood lighting is best for relaxing.
Discover Front Door Lighting
Driveway and Path Lighting
If you have a larger home with land and a long drive it’s worth gatepost lighting. Large pillars look so grand and right with a feature light on top.
Pathways steps and terraced spaces should have some type of marker light as drops in levels whilst adding interest can also be a hazard if not lit well.
Lights that point downwards are best for wall ways to avoid glare. You ideally want to make the light soft pools and a welcome glow rather than dazzle passers-by.
Garden Lighting
Upwards lights should be used sparingly pointing into trees or as security lighting but keep in mind you don’t want to create a runway for plains you are simply aiming to bring low-level lighting specifically for your garden not shining into space. Upwards light causes light pollution and can confuse bats so downwards is normally best.
Spike lights or spotlights for outdoor use are great amongst plants.
Bollards are stylish and practical for car park areas’ and the old-fashioned lamp post commands attention at the end of pathways or a feature in a large open lawn.
Pathway lights can be surface mounted or countersunk into stone or brick walls.
Pond or Pool Lighting
Post lanterns are perfect for gate posts.
Lighting ponds and pools take care and consideration. Submerging lights should only be done if they are rated correctly for the depth of water you have as water pressure at greater depths is stronger than at lower depths.
It can be costly to light a garden after it’s all mature is often too great as you’ve spent years cultivating your plants and digging it up to lay cables is just too heartbreaking.
How to light your garden without digging it all up?
Once landscaped you don’t get another chance to lay cables. Or maybe you do!
Plug-and-play lighting solves lots of problems to retrofit lighting into your garden you’d need a socket or cable to a point and then other lights can be installed by plugging various lights into predetermined lengths of cables.
No electrical at all in the garden but want exterior lights? No problem!
Solar Lighting will be a blessing for you all you need to do is fix the light where you want it ensuring the solar panel is clear from the obstruction the sun will charge the light by day and shine in the evening all without paying for electricity.
