Table of Contents
Garden lighting may seem fairly straightforward and easy to implement. The truth is that there are many outdoor lighting design and installation mistakes one can accidentally make if not prepared.
In this garden lighting design guide, we will explore some of the most common outdoor lighting mistakes amateur exterior designers make.
-
Not Understanding the Purpose of Your Garden Wall Lighting
Perhaps the biggest garden lighting design errors you can make come from not preparing for the design itself. Before you even begin to shop for your fixtures, it is important that you get familiar with the outdoor space itself.
Take a walk around the garden and consider the purpose of the outdoor space. What areas do you want to prioritise? Do you want to emphasise any accent pieces, or are you more concerned with lighting up seating and entertainment areas? It may even benefit you to make a little sketch of what you have in mind before beginning.
By having clear goals in mind, you’ll be able to shop for your light fixtures from a more informed standpoint.
-
Installing Too Few or Too Many Lights
Amateur lighting designers might think that more lights will always equal a better-lit outdoor space. The truth is, there is such a thing as too much light. One of the most crucial errors to avoid with garden wall lighting is over-lighting–or even under-lighting–the space.
Be sure to strike a balance between the two. One way to do this is to layer your lighting. Layering lighting consists of adding ambient, task and accent lighting instead of just relying on one type of light alone.
Ambient light in a garden can consist of many things, from flood lights to bright wall lights. Task lighting works well in patio areas or other entertainment or outdoor cooking areas. Use accent lights to moonlight trees, accentuate garden wall textures or to show off garden sculptures.
-
Failing to Consider Weather Conditions
Failing to consider something as crucial as the weather is one of the garden lighting design common pitfalls you may run into. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to not waterproof your lights.
Since your outdoor fixtures will be exposed to elements such as sun, wind and precipitation, it is critical your lights are up for the challenge. Choose IP rated lights that are IP65 or higher to ensure that they are weatherproof. This will prevent rust and corrosion, which can extend the life of your garden lights.
-
Overlooking Regular Maintenance of Garden Lights
In a similar vein, neglecting to care for your lights once they are installed can leave you with subpar results. Since lights are exposed to dirt and debris alongside weather, they tend to cake up after long periods without cleaning.
Occasionally step around the garden and look for any debris stuck on the fixture. If you see any, you can remove it with a gentle brush or a slightly dampened cloth. Avoid harsh cleaning solutions so as not to damage the fixture itself.
During these times, you can also look for any burned out bulbs, cracks in the fixtures or loose wiring. Remedying these issues right away will save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
-
Improper Placement of Garden Wall Lights
Wall light placement mistakes can cost you a lot in terms of aesthetics. Garden walls provide a great opportunity for you to add accent lighting to your outdoors. Choosing wall washer lights or wall grazing lights can turn the walls into a focal point in and of themselves.
Wall grazing lights show the texture of the wall, making good use of intentional shadow. Wall washers, on the other hand, cast a nice, indirect glow along the wall itself.
If you place wall grazers too far from the wall, they will not catch the texture and will not cast shadows. Furthermore, installing the wall grazers in awkward positions will have the illumination shining in imbalanced ways across the surface.
-
Ignoring Energy Efficiency in Outdoor Lighting
Your outdoor lights will be on constantly throughout the night. Because of this, it is wise to have energy efficient lighting. Using LED bulbs, you will consume far less power than you would with halogen or incandescent lights. Not only will this be easier on the environment, but it will also lower the cost of your energy bills.
Other benefits of LED lights, such as their versatility and their long lasting life, will help you make the most out of your outdoor lighting.
-
Neglecting Safety Precautions During Installation
One of the best pieces of garden lighting installation advice anyone can give you is to have a professional handle the installation for you. Working with wires and electricity can be dangerous if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.
By enlisting the help of a trained professional, you can avoid any dangerous accidents. You can also be sure that your lights are up to code, as they will have the knowledge you might not where that is concerned.
-
Not Testing Lighting Angles Before Final Installation
One of the best outdoor lighting design tips anyone can offer is that you test out your setup before you commit. After you have placed the lights where you want them to go, wire them up. Then, turn them on and make sure that the lights shine in the direction and the manner in which you want them to.
This way, you can correct any wall lighting design problems before they become a permanent part of your outdoor living space.
-
Neglecting Proper Controls
Once you have your lights installed, you’re going to need a way to control them. Many people tend to overlook this vital step, which can further complicate things down the line. It is a good idea to have your lights set on various controls, so you can be specific about which lights turn on when.
For many people, having lights on a timer is the way to go. This will automatically turn your lights on and off at set times of the day. Similarly, many people enjoy setting them on daylight sensors. With this, lights will turn on and off according to the presence or absence of the sun.
More popular still is the use of smart lighting. Smart lights will allow you to set the lights on a routine, but they will also allow you to control the lights remotely from an app. This is especially beneficial if you plan to be away from home and want to give the illusion of occupancy for security reasons.
-
Choosing the Wrong Colour Temperature
Colour temperature refers to the warmth or coolness of a given light. Both have their place in an outdoor lighting scheme. That said, it is important that you do not install both warm and cool lights together.
Warm lights are generally better for domestic settings since they tend to create an inviting atmosphere. They are gentle on the eyes while still being bright and clear enough to easily see by.
Cool lights, on the other hand, tend to be crisp and invigorating–not so ideal for nighttime usage. Some people do prefer to have them for security lighting, however.
Whichever you choose, choose one of them only. This will help you avoid abrasive clashing and visual fatigue.
Key Tips for Designing Effective Garden Wall Lighting
In order to design wall lighting you’ll be proud of, follow these tips below:
- SPACE THEM EVENLY. If you have more than one wall light, be sure you balance the spacing. You want to ensure they are symmetrical and evenly placed in order to avoid shadows or awkward aesthetics.
- RULE OF THREE. In design, repeating a given element three times is thought to promote balance and symmetry. At the very least, be sure you are installing your lights in odd numbers; five wall lights may look better on a larger wall, for example.
- LAYER WITH OTHER GARDEN LIGHTS. Be sure that your wall lights aren’t the only fixtures in your design scheme. Combine it with soffit lights, architectural lights, spotlights and floodlights to ensure a nice balance of light throughout.
Conclusion
Garden lighting can enhance your outdoor living space, as well as generally add to the overall aesthetics of your home. When planning your outdoor lighting scheme, keep this article close. The above tips will help you with these common lighting mistakes and ensure your lights look exactly as you imagine.
Garden Lighting Ideas
Modernise your outdoor living space with the LWA705 7 Watt Square Black Outdoor Wall Light. This wall light features a cube shaped opal acrylic diffuser boxed in by a cage of black aluminium. It houses a bulb that shines 700 lumens of 3000K warm white light in the immediate area. Thanks to its IP65 rating, it can resist the effects of weather exposure. This fixture measures 130 millimeters by 135 millimeters in size.
Add smooth, soft curves to your contemporary outdoor lighting scheme with the LWA386 12 Watt Round Black Outdoor LED Wall Light. This round wall light is black in colour and features a ring of light along the border. It generates an ultra bright 1200 lumens of 3000K warm white light through its opal acrylic diffuser that shines in a halo on the wall behind it. Thanks to its aluminium construction and its IP65 rating, it is safe for use outdoors. The fixture measures 150 millimeters in diameter.
Complete your garden lighting with the LWA383 Round 6 Watt Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light features a circular shape with a lip shade over the top half. 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light shines through the opal acrylic diffuser, softening it before it reflects onto the wall. It is fashioned out of high quality aluminium in your choice of either black or white finishes. This IP65 rated light measures 150 millimeters in diameter.
Bring mid-century modern charm to your home’s exterior with the LWA500 6 Watt LED Globe Design Outdoor Wall Light. This light features a rectangular wall plate that hosts the globe shaped acrylic diffuser toward the top. The plate comes in your choice of either black or white finishes. From within the globe, 500 lumens of 3000K warm white light shine beautifully. It measures 117 millimeters in diameter and fits well on any wall. This fixture is fashioned out of durable alumnium and has a waterproof IP65 rating.
