Consider outdoor garden lighting for a real wow factor

When the day turns into night, are you still making effective use of your garden? Are you unable to enjoy your garden during the evening and admire its design and charm because it’s shrouded in darkness? Capitalising on your outdoor space, by use of outdoor lighting, can give it an around the clock, exciting, magical, striking, and beautifying look. When guiding clients on how to bring their gardens to life during the night-time, all year round, we ask them to considering the following points:

1. Location – Where is the lighting going to be positioned? The location can have different influences. For example, lighting placed on the wall, steps, ground and along paths will help you see in the dark and offer extra security whilst walking around in the garden or opening up patio or outbuilding doors. Uplighting or spotlights around trees, shrubs and plants can create a fabulous glow, silhouette or mood whilst simultaneously highlighting their shape, architecture, and grandeur.

2. Outdoor living room – Lights can be bought in varied finishes (such as stainless and galvanised steel, brass, chrome, and copper aluminium) and structures; such as up and down wall lights, hanging lanterns, festoon, string and cluster lights, party-lights, battery table lamps and candles. When placing lights around elements in your garden, like; seating areas, water features, firepits and jacuzzies, your garden will quickly resemble an exterior living room, appreciated in all seasons.

3. Solar LED lights – When the batteries are fully charged by direct sunlight and switched on, these are a fantastic, economical way to position, angle and light up your garden. No need for ground hard-wiring or having to employ the services of an electrician. Worrying about the impact on your electricity bills or wasting energy can also be avoided and there is an array of distinctive designs, and colours on the market.

Once powered up, when dusk sets in they come on and go off when the energy runs out. They can be placed along paths, above entertainment areas, hung along fencing panels, or wrapped around tree trunks and draped over plants, to give them a stunning and enchanting look.

4. Border lighting – Hard-wired border lighting by an electrician is an excellent option to bring permanent wonder to your space. When lighting is added to your borders, it will bring into sharpened focus the colours, shapes and sizes of your planting as well as bringing joy to the eyes. Other features, such as gravel, timber, stones, and bark will also get an enhanced and detailed look.

5. Swimming pools and hot tubs – If your garden design is able to incorporate a swimming pool or hot tub, you’ll want to have the option of using them during the night, as well as the day. Low, recessed spotlights, along the walkway will ensure safe entry and exit of your pool or tub. Pool, LED underwater lights, come in a wide range of shapes and colours and is another option.

Another easy-on-the-pocket idea is to place large lanterns with over-sized candles, real or LED, along the perimeter line of the pool area. The illumination and reflection of the light will bring a dazzling effect to your garden and the water will become a shimmering and sparkling delight in the dark.

If you would like find out more about how our garden lighting design can be incorporated as part of your landscaped garden, call 01277 410 691 or 07771 558375 to arrange a consultation today.