Garden Lighting That Will Transform Your Space

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Garden lighting can completely change the appearance of your home’s exterior for the better. Alongside improving its looks from the street, it can also make it more inviting and attractive. Read on to learn how to improve your garden with outdoor lights with our garden lighting guide.

Why Spend Time And Money Lighting Your Garden?

Exterior lighting can work magic on your outdoor space. Below are a few reasons why it’s worth it to invest in your outside lights:

BRIGHTEN UP THE AREA – The most apparent benefit of outdoor garden lights is the fact that they illuminate the area. A well-lit outdoor space makes it more practical for use at night, so the party doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. You can choose dimmer lights for the purpose of relaxation or brighter ones to increase visibility. The choice is yours.

CREATE A FOCAL POINT – If there is an area of the garden or landscaping you are the proudest of, outdoor lanterns and lights do a good job of highlighting them. You can use outdoor lights to draw attention to the best areas of your space to create a focal points.

DETER INTRUDERS – A well-lit outdoor space will make it harder for intruders to want to break into your place. Without shadows for them to creep around in, they are less likely to approach your property.

ENHANCE AESTHETICS – With so many different types of modern garden lighting available, you can use the various fixtures to create a gorgeous outdoor living space. This can be both for entertaining and just for enjoying a quiet night outdoors on your own.

How Outdoor Lighting Improves the Security of Your Home

One of the advantages of LED garden lighting is the security it can provide. This is a key reason for homeowners to choose to incorporate garden lighting. Bright lights positioned around the property leave fewer to no shadows for intruders to creep around in.

Beyond that, would-be burglars are less likely to feel confident approaching your house if they have to move through bright lights to do it. Furthermore, having plenty of illumination outside can also make the images on your security cameras clearer and easier to see.

How To Enhance Your Gardens Features with Lighting

Garden wall lights, bollard lights, spike lights and patio lighting can all work hand in hand to create a gorgeous outdoor space. Below are some garden lighting tips for setting up this space to get started:

PLANNING STAGE – Begin by determining the layout of the garden and its various features. This will allow you to determine the main points that you want to illuminate so that you can work around them.

CHOOSE THE LIGHTING TECHNIQUE – Most people prefer to layer the lighting in outdoor spaces. That means including ambient lighting for an overall glow, task lighting for performing activities and accent lighting for setting a mood outdoors.

PICK THE RIGHT FIXTURES – Each of the many different types of light has its place in your garden. This includes:

LED garden spotlights for illuminating sculptures, trees or architecture
Path lights such as ground lights for illuminating pathways
Downlights and uplights for making a space moodier and more dramatic
Bollard lights to define an area or zone it off
Decking lights to enhance the visibility and appearance of a deck

PLAN THE PLACEMENT – After determining the fixtures, you can start planning where you intend to install the lights. You should position them so that the light is evenly distributed while also ensuring safety and security. You may also want to add accent lighting here and there to create a moody atmosphere.

INSTALL THE LIGHTS – Though it is recommended that you hire a qualified electrician, you can get the job done for yourself by preparing the power sources and wiring. Then, properly install them, followed by double-checking the weatherproofing.

GARDEN LIGHTING MAINTENANCE – Keep an eye on the garden lighting as time passes. Make sure there is no dust or debris collecting on the lights and clean them if need be. Replace any bulbs or fixture components as needed to ensure the lights are always functioning at their best.

How To Illuminate Your Porch Area with Modern Outdoor Lighting

There are several ways to make your porch a more inviting area while giving guests a great first impression.

OUTDOOR WALL LIGHTS – Outdoor wall lights are a popular addition to porches, mostly due to their versatility. You can place a wall sconce on either side of the door to create a sense of balance and symmetry. Here, it’s a good idea to choose warm, cozy lights and opt for fixtures that work well with the architectural style of your home.

PENDANT LIGHTS – When you hang a larger pendant light over your porch, it can create a focal point in an instant. You can opt for a modern pendant or outdoor lanterns if you’d prefer to have a more traditional, rustic approach. Consider putting the light on a dimmer switch, so you can control the brightness as the night wears on.

BOLLARD OR SPIKE LIGHTS – By incorporating ground lights along the path leading up to the porch, you can create a better sense of security while adding another layer of lighting to the area.

STEP LIGHTS – Low level lighting on the staircases can have a similar effect as ground lights on the path.

UPLIGHTING – Illuminate columns or other architectural features by placing uplights along the walls near them.

Ideas for How To Illuminate Your Patio Area

Below are a few tips for incorporating outdoor lights into your patio space:

ADD WHIMSY WITH STRING LIGHTS – String lights, or fairy lights, above the patio can provide warm ambient lighting while also enhancing the personality of the space.

ZONE YOUR PATIO – With light fixtures, you can create a sense of depth and define the various zones in the space. This includes zoning out the seating area as well as any barbecue spaces and other defined areas on a patio.

LIGHT THE PERIMETER – Using outdoor wall lights on a patio connected to your home, you can shine ambient lighting all around the patio and deck with ease.

USE PENDANT LIGHTS – Pendant lights hanging overhead can create a focal point and use up all of that vertical space. These are especially popular over outdoor dining areas.

LAYER YOUR LIGHTING – Like in any other area, it is important that you have ambient, task and accent lighting on your patio. This will provide you with a well-lit and balanced patio.

INCORPORATE DOWNLIGHTS FOR SMALL PATIOS – You can provide ample illumination without taking up a lot of space when you choose wall downlighters. They will shine down the wall and provide indirect lighting for a smaller patio.

How To Use Wall Lights in a Garden

Here, you’ll find some guidance on incorporating wall lights into your garden.

HAVE A STRONG FOUNDATION – Using wall lights, you can create an overall glow of ambient lighting for the rest of the task or accent lighting to complement.

BRING IN SOME ATMOSPHERE – Accent lights can create a moody feel that makes for a more relaxing and atmospheric outdoor space.

LIGHT UP THE LANDSCAPE – With wall lights in the garden, especially downlighters, you can highlight various elements of the garden that you want to show off.

CREATE FUNCTIONAL SPACES – Wall lights near the grill or dining area will make it easier to see when performing various activities.

Is Solar Garden Lighting Worth It?

Solar garden lighting has many benefits, making it a quality investment for many homeowners.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY – Since solar lights do not need electricity to run, they will not contribute to your carbon footprint. This also means less spent on your energy bills as opposed to standard lights.

EASY INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE – Without the need to connect lights to a power source, they can be installed in minutes or even seconds. They are also known to need limited maintenance, so you can spend less time and money on that aspect.

VERSATILITY – Without the tether of wires and power sources, you can install solar lighting virtually anywhere. This can make it easier to illuminate otherwise out-of-the-way areas.

SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE – Since they use no electricity, there is no risk of accidental electrocution during installation or maintenance. Furthermore, they oftentimes have light sensors, so they’ll turn on and off at the appropriate times all on their own.

Keep in mind that solar lights often are not as bright as other types of standard lighting. This is especially true in areas with limited direct sunlight. Also consider that solar lights charge in the sun, so if you live somewhere that is rainy and cloudy more often than not, you may not get the best performance out of them.

Why Are LED’S The Best Option For Garden Lighting?

When it comes to outdoor LED spotlights, ground lights, wall lights and any other type of illumination, LED lights are the preferred choice. A few reasons for this includes:

ENERGY EFFICIENCY – LED lights use considerably less energy to create electricity. This is good, both for lessening your impact on the environment while also lowering costs on your energy bill.

ECO-FRIENDLY – Since LED lights don’t use as much energy, they are easier on the environment, as mentioned. They also have no toxic elements in them like some traditional lights do, like mercury.

VERSATILITY – LED lights come in a variety of colour temperatures and brightness levels. This will allow you total control over the appearance of your outdoor space in terms of illumination.

COST-SAVINGS – As mentioned, LED lights can lower the cost of your energy bill. You can also save money by not having to constantly replace them, due to their long lasting life.

LONG LIFESPAN – Whereas traditional halogen bulbs tend to only last 1,000 hours on average, you can expect a minimum of 20,000 hours from an LED light bulb.

Garden Lighting Ideas

LWA706 12 Watt Square Black Outdoor Wall Light

Perfect for placement on the either side of entryways, the LWA706 12 Watt Square Black Outdoor Wall Light is a stylish but subtle addition to your outdoor lighting design. This fixture features a cube shape with an opal acrylic diffuser behind a cage style body. It is crafted out of premium aluminium that has been finished in a sleek black. This fixture outputs 1200 lumens of 3000k warm white light, making it a nice choice for security lighting. An IP65 rating protects it from the elements.

LWA210 6 Watt LED Black Outdoor Wall Light

Ideal for smaller patios and seating areas, the LWA210 6 Watt LED Black Outdoor Wall Light is a compact and stylish choice for your home. This light has a cylindrical base with a black finish and a cylindrical opal acrylic diffuser through which the 430 lumens of 3000k warm white light shine. It measures 320 millimeters high by 74 millimeters wide and affixes to any wall. Thanks to its IP65 rating, it is well protected against the elements.

LWA453 10 Watt Up and Down Outdoor LED Wall Light

Modernize your outdoor space with the LWA453 10 Watt Up and Down Outdoor LED Wall Light. The light features a contemporary shape and comes in neutral hues of either black or white. It outputs a total of 860 lumens of 3000k warm white light that shines down on the wall beneath it for an artistic effect. The light is fashioned out of durable aluminium and has an IP65 rating, so you can have peace of mind regarding its durability.

LWA383 Round 6 Watt Outdoor LED Wall Light

Enjoy a softer, more traditional appearance with the LWA383 Round 6 Watt Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light features a circular shape with a circular opal acrylic diffuser on the front. It outputs 600 lumens of 3000k warm white light, making it ideal for patio seating areas or porches. It is crafted to last out of premium aluminium in your choice of black or white and has a protective IP65 rating. The fixture measures 150 millimeters in diameter.

LFL061 6 Watt 600mm Tall Black Spotlight LED Bollard Light

Illuminate paths and walkways with the LFL061 6 Watt 600mm Tall Black Spotlight LED Bollard Light. This bollard light features a tall post measuring 600 millimeters in height with a directional head positioned at the top. This head can tilt, so you can control the direction of the 500 lumens of 3000k warm white light. It is designed to withstand the elements thanks to its black aluminium body and IP65 rating.

LFL016 1 Watt LED 1000mm Tall Black Garden Spike Light

Highlight pathways, zone out areas of the garden and more with the LFL016 1 Watt LED 1000mm Tall Black Garden Spike Light. The spike light offers a subtle glow with 170 lumens of 3000k warm white light that shines through the opal acrylic shade. It comes in a neutral black hue that allows it to fit into the design of any garden. With its IP65 rating and its durable aluminium build, this light can withstand the effects of the weather. It measures a total height of 1000 millimeters.

LDC469 3 Watt Mini Recessed LED Soffit Downlight

Light up your porch, patio and soffits with the LDC469 3 Watt Mini Recessed LED Soffit Downlight. This recessed light features a circular plate that comes in your choice of black or grey to fit into any aesthetic. It shines 120 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 30-degree beam angle to give you ample lighting. With its IP65 rating, you can be sure it won’t be damaged by the elements outdoors. It has an overall diameter of 50 millimeters.

ODL047A 1 Watt Square Brass Finish LED Ground or Decking Light

Light up decks and pathways alike with the ODL047A 1 Watt Square Brass Finish LED Ground or Decking Light. This light is small and easy to install anywhere you want low level lighting. The product outputs 70 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 30-degree beam angle, so it is perfect for installation in groups. The fixture is finished in polished brass, which is resilient to the weather outdoors and is further protected with its IP 67 rating.