Garden lighting lets you use your outdoor space after dark. It can make a path easier to follow, give you enough light to eat outside and draw attention to a tree or planting you enjoy. Start by thinking about what you do in each part of the garden, rather than choosing fittings first.
Light the places you use
If you spend summer evenings on the patio, place lights where you need them most. A light near the table should let you see your food and the people sitting with you without shining into anyone’s eyes. Softer lighting around a seating area may be enough if you mainly use it to relax and talk.
Think about the route back to the house too. You may know every step and uneven paving slab, but guests will find them harder to see in the dark. Walk through the garden at night to identify the spots that need light.
Pick out your favourite features
You do not need to illuminate the whole garden. A light aimed at a tree can show the shape of its trunk and branches. A carefully positioned spotlight can draw attention to a planted border or the texture of a wall.
Try lighting a few features and leaving space between them. This gives each one room to stand out. Check the view from your seating area and from inside the house, and make sure the lights do not shine into a neighbour’s windows.
A pond needs particular thought. Light its edge so people can see where the ground ends, especially if guests may walk nearby. If you want lights in or close to the water, ask an electrician to recommend fittings suited to that position.
Make paths and steps clear
Paths, steps and changes in level need enough light for people to move around safely. A small light directed across a step can make its edge easier to see. Low level lights can mark a path without flooding the surrounding garden.
The direction of the light matters. A bright fitting facing someone as they walk can make the route harder to see. Aim lights towards the ground and check how they look from both ends of the path.
Choose how the lights will work
You might want the path lights on throughout the evening while switching off the lights around the table later. Separate controls make that possible.
Timers can turn lights on and off at set times. A motion sensor may suit a side gate or entrance that you use briefly. Your electrician can explain which controls will work with your chosen fittings and existing electrical supply.
Plan the installation
Outdoor lights, cables and connections are exposed to rain and changing temperatures. Their position affects which equipment is suitable and how cables should be routed and protected. A qualified electrician can assess the garden, install the lights and test the completed work.
If you are having your garden landscaped, plan the lighting before paving is laid or borders are planted. Bring it Ohm Electrical Solutions can work with your landscaper to agree fitting positions and cable routes while the garden makeover is underway.
Plan Your Garden Lighting
If you would like help planning or installing garden lighting, contact Bring it Ohm Electrical Solutions to discuss your space.