How to use outdoor lighting more effectively

The exterior of your property provides a number of opportunities to use lighting, both to create ambiance and for practical reasons. Different lighting styles will work better on certain properties. The choice you make will depend on your requirements and the look you want to create.

Your garden can be used as an extension of your home and, in the warmer months, provides you with an additional room for entertaining. Therefore, it's important that you think as much about your exterior lights as you do those inside the property. The right lighting can help you make the most of your outdoor space.

There are a range of reasons why you'd want to use outdoor or architectural lighting, including:

1. As a security feature.

2. To provide easier access.

3. Create an atmosphere.

4. Highlight specific feature.

5. Make the garden useable in the evening.

Have a plan.

Before you start buying any lights, it's important that you plan exactly what you need. Consider how you're going to use the space and what your lighting requirements are. For example, are you going to be using the garden a lot for eating, do you want to light up a route to the doorway or do you want to highlight specific features?

You also need to consider the style you're looking for; whether that's traditional or contemporary. Once you've decided on these, you'll have a better idea of the type and quality of light fitting you're looking for. You also need to consider how the lights will be powered and where any electrical points are.

Ambient lighting.

The use of ambient lighting in a garden helps to create the atmosphere that you want. You could opt for a soft glow to produce a relaxing mood, perfect for dinner parties or evening drinks. Alternatively, you might use your garden for more practical reasons and want a brighter light. Some good options for ambient lighting are up-lighters fitted into the edge of your patio or decking.

These can include proximity sensors, so they're only activated when the area's being used, which saves you energy and prevents them being left on for long periods. If you need a more substantial light, then tall, freestanding models are a good option, as they will spread the light over a wider area.

Accent lighting.

You can also use lighting to highlight specific features within your garden, such as plants, water features, ornaments, doors or pathways. To be most effective, the light should be fitted close to the item and angled directly towards it. In order to achieve this, you could illuminate it from below using up-lighters, or fit a spotlight onto the wall close by. Another option is to use a spike light, which is good for low level items.

Lighting can put the finishing touches to your garden; just as it can any other room in your house. Whether you've got a modern home or a period property, there is low cost architectural lighting fitting suited to your house and your requirements.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Jennifer Doherty), Google (images).