Get Your Garden Ready for Summer with New Garden Lights

Good outdoor lighting can add a lot to your garden or outdoor space, both in terms of ambiance and functional illumination for critical areas. Here you'll find suggestions and ideas for designing your ideal outdoor lighting arrangement. The easiest way to begin is to take a night-time walk around your garden to get a better sense of where you want the lighting to be. Consider locations that you'll need to illuminate at night, such as a pathway and your front entrance, as well as areas you'll want to utilize in the evening, such as an eating area, and elements you'd like to draw attention to from inside the house. There are many different forms of outdoor lighting to consider when deciding which light to use in your outdoor lighting plan.

What lights to use: 

The lamppost will be the first form of light we'll look at. The lamppost is a standard outdoor light that can be utilized in various locations, including gardens. They're hung from the ground and stand tall like a lamppost, hence the name. These are ideal for illuminating taller plants and paths. The hanging lamp is another popular style of illumination in the garden. Hanging lights are typically suspended from trees or walls around the garden's perimeter. One of the most frequent lighting options used in gardens is fluorescent lights. These halogen reflector lamps are ideal for lighting your garden's different levels. LED lighting is also trendy. LED lights are significantly more efficient than most, lasting far longer and consuming far less energy. For those who prefer to save electricity, solar-powered lighting is popular. While solar-powered lights aren't always as bright as conventional lights, they get their power from the sun rather than using electricity from the grid. Garden lights can also include porch lights and spotlights. These are mainly utilized for security and are generally installed near your home's entrances. The look that these lights provide is a welcome addition.

Lighting a Small Garden

You don't want to destroy your garden by utilizing too many strong lights if it's minor. While a well-lit garden is desirable for ambiance and safety, there is such a thing as a too bright garden. To reach your little garden's various corners and levels, we propose utilizing a few medium-power fluorescent lights. In addition, multiple wall lamps and LED lights can be used to cover any remaining dark regions. Avoid using any lights that have a voltage higher than 12 volts. Anything more than this might easily overwhelm a tiny space.

Lighting a Patio

While lampposts are not the best option for lighting most garden walkways, they are ideal for illuminating a patio. A lamppost at each of the patio's four corners works perfectly. Most of the time, a deck will extend from one of your home's doorways or walls to the garden's central region. Lampposts should be placed on the sides closest to the park, and hanging or pendant lights should be used to light the section nearest to the house. You can also employ porch lights and spotlights when the aesthetic is right. If you want to make your patio stand out, place some small lamps or candles on the railing, if one exists. This can enhance the ambiance and possibly create a more relaxing or romantic atmosphere.

Lighting a Path

The importance of lighting your garden's walkways cannot be overstated. This is especially true if your garden contains a pond or other potentially dangerous areas for someone to go into at night. When it comes to illuminating a walkway, there are various outdoor lighting options. Lampposts can be helpful, but we don't recommend using them to decorate the entire path. It's generally enough to put one in each corner.

Smaller lights, such as LED or solar-powered lights, may be the best option for lighting the entire walkway. These lights usually are relatively short, but they are powerful enough to illuminate a pathway. Depending on the wattage of each light, you can set them up with a half or full meter between them. Before setting up the rest, we recommend testing one to determine how far the light reaches. Fluorescent lights can also be used to illuminate a walkway. These are usually hung from trees or strategically positioned posts to cover the entire path. Any light that can effectively light up the whole way while also preventing you from wandering off is an excellent light to use.

Lighting Security

Include security as a factor to consider when planning out your garden lights. Even at night, the garden is a beautiful spot to unwind. You must, however, be able to view in each direction that a trespasser could approach from. Porch lights and spotlights are the most delicate technique to ensure your own illumination security. You can use dimmers to change the brightness depending on whether you are inside or outside. When you're inside, these security lights should be bright enough that you can quickly detect someone who isn't supposed to be in your garden or surrounding your house. Another helpful security precaution is the use of motion sensor lights.

Make sure your lighting does not shine onto your neighbour’s property. Neighbourly manners is just as crucial as security! You now know how to light your garden effectively! As always, there are many ways to create aesthetically beautiful garden lighting, so feel free to experiment with your own designs. Try out our suggestions and see what you come up with! Essential considerations for outdoor lighting include:

Electrical supply

Make a strategy for your outdoor lighting scheme to know precisely what you want and where it will go. If you plan to do electrical work in the garden, you must either notify Building Control or have it installed by a Part P trained electrician. According to standards, cables placed underground must be covered in a buried warning tape, preferably with Steel Wired Armoured cable. Ensure that mains voltage outdoor lighting and electrics comply with building codes. A residual current device must be installed on all external cables, wires, sockets, appliances, and lights to prevent electricity from being switched off in the event of an emergency.

  Always seek professional advice for further information and guidance on installing outdoor lighting and electrics before beginning. Here at Stillorgan Gas, Plumbing & Electrical we would be happy to advise the best options to suit your garden.

Bulb type

In outdoor illumination, regular light bulbs can be utilized. Depending on your light fitting and requirements, choose between LED, halogen, and energy saving lighting, just like you would for inside lighting.

Motion sensor

Installing a motion sensor on important job lighting is beneficial, whether you're arriving home or assisting visitors in navigating the garden at night, or a deterrent for intruders. Motion sensors are inexpensive and straightforward to install and can be used with most outdoor lights, however it's advisable to double-check that the light and the motion detector you purchase are compatible.