Pre-Summer Backyard Blitz: Week 5 – Update Your Outdoor Lighting
Extend your time outside this summer with a 12-point plan to create plenty of atmospheric illumination
You don’t want the summertime fun to end when the sun goes down, so it’s important to check that your exterior lighting is in good working order before the season begins. Whether you’re enjoying a barbecue, having a swim, relaxing in the cool evening air or letting the kids run around outside, a few quick fixes now will mean that you’ll get maximum enjoyment from your outdoor areas morning, noon and night throughout the summer months.
2. Gauge the brightness
The biggest mistake with outdoor lighting is having it too bright. You need just enough illumination to see faces clearly and to be able to comfortably eat. Lighting that’s too bright can be blinding, creates deep shadows and makes everyone looked washed out. The best option is to have a variety of lights, making them a little brighter at steps, doorways and along paths. Sitting and socialising areas should feature soft lighting to make the atmosphere warm and inviting.
The biggest mistake with outdoor lighting is having it too bright. You need just enough illumination to see faces clearly and to be able to comfortably eat. Lighting that’s too bright can be blinding, creates deep shadows and makes everyone looked washed out. The best option is to have a variety of lights, making them a little brighter at steps, doorways and along paths. Sitting and socialising areas should feature soft lighting to make the atmosphere warm and inviting.
3. Light the front door
One area where it’s important to have relatively bright lighting is at the front door. You need to be able to see any steps, mats or pets and be able to easily place your door key in the lock. Mount the light above head height to minimise glare and illuminate the surrounding area.
10 outdoor lighting options
One area where it’s important to have relatively bright lighting is at the front door. You need to be able to see any steps, mats or pets and be able to easily place your door key in the lock. Mount the light above head height to minimise glare and illuminate the surrounding area.
10 outdoor lighting options
4. Illuminate paths and steps
It’s a simple safety consideration to have paths and steps well lit. This doesn’t mean they have to look like an aircraft landing strip, but they should be brighter than their surrounds. If you use lighting in the garden, then ensure the pathways and steps are slightly brighter than the rest of the space.
It’s a simple safety consideration to have paths and steps well lit. This doesn’t mean they have to look like an aircraft landing strip, but they should be brighter than their surrounds. If you use lighting in the garden, then ensure the pathways and steps are slightly brighter than the rest of the space.
5. Create focal points
Consider adding lighting at a few focal points in the garden to create a dramatic effect. This is a great way to light dark corners or make a feature of an impressive tree. Garden sculptures and water features also look fantastic with focal-point lighting.
Consider adding lighting at a few focal points in the garden to create a dramatic effect. This is a great way to light dark corners or make a feature of an impressive tree. Garden sculptures and water features also look fantastic with focal-point lighting.
6. Add wall lights
The addition of wall lighting can make a feature of an overlooked length of wall space. Wall lights range from super-contemporary minimalist boxes to antique pieces that look like they’ve come straight out of the 19th Century. Well-positioned wall lighting can also create a lot of ambient light, and is a great addition near dining areas. If you live near the coast, it’s advisable to use wall lights of marine-grade stainless steel to avoid salt damage.
More outdoor lighting ideas
The addition of wall lighting can make a feature of an overlooked length of wall space. Wall lights range from super-contemporary minimalist boxes to antique pieces that look like they’ve come straight out of the 19th Century. Well-positioned wall lighting can also create a lot of ambient light, and is a great addition near dining areas. If you live near the coast, it’s advisable to use wall lights of marine-grade stainless steel to avoid salt damage.
More outdoor lighting ideas
7. Hang pendant lights
A high ceiling with downlights can make a dining area feel a little like a film set. A low pendant light will give enough illumination for everyone to see their meal, but still keep the area intimate and cosy.
A high ceiling with downlights can make a dining area feel a little like a film set. A low pendant light will give enough illumination for everyone to see their meal, but still keep the area intimate and cosy.
8. Install solar lights
If you want to add illumination to your garden but not go to the trouble of bringing in an electrician, solar is the way to go. There’s a huge range of styles on the market and current technology has made them more efficient than ever. Just place them where you need light at night and these little workhorses will soak up power all day. As soon as the sun sets, they can be set to turn on and add a beautiful warm ambience to your garden. Best of all, they’re free to run!
If you want to add illumination to your garden but not go to the trouble of bringing in an electrician, solar is the way to go. There’s a huge range of styles on the market and current technology has made them more efficient than ever. Just place them where you need light at night and these little workhorses will soak up power all day. As soon as the sun sets, they can be set to turn on and add a beautiful warm ambience to your garden. Best of all, they’re free to run!
9. Position freestanding lights
A recent innovation is the use of freestanding exterior lights. Previously confined to the interior of the house, these stylish pieces look fantastic near pools, around dining areas or next to the outdoor lounge. They also give you the option of adding illumination exactly where you want it.
A recent innovation is the use of freestanding exterior lights. Previously confined to the interior of the house, these stylish pieces look fantastic near pools, around dining areas or next to the outdoor lounge. They also give you the option of adding illumination exactly where you want it.
10. String up fairy lights
Turn your garden into a magical grove with the addition of fairy lights. They’re cheap to buy, easy to attach and your kids will love them. There are a million ways to use them, such as along fences, attached to tree branches, wrapped around rafters or hung over dining areas. Fairy lights are available as battery powered, solar powered or as a plug-in version run through a transformer.
Easy lighting fixes for outdoors
Turn your garden into a magical grove with the addition of fairy lights. They’re cheap to buy, easy to attach and your kids will love them. There are a million ways to use them, such as along fences, attached to tree branches, wrapped around rafters or hung over dining areas. Fairy lights are available as battery powered, solar powered or as a plug-in version run through a transformer.
Easy lighting fixes for outdoors
11. Create magic with lamps and lanterns
If you want to do away with flames and smelly lanterns, there are now a range of battery-powered rechargeable lights that come in a variety of styles, including lanterns, candles and hanging lights. They’re great for providing an extra bit of illumination around the dining table, or simply for making the garden area look fantastic.
If you want to do away with flames and smelly lanterns, there are now a range of battery-powered rechargeable lights that come in a variety of styles, including lanterns, candles and hanging lights. They’re great for providing an extra bit of illumination around the dining table, or simply for making the garden area look fantastic.
12. Add drama with pool lights
Traditionally pool lights were always white or blue, to give the water an aqua glow. These days all the colours of the rainbow are available, so your pool could look like a lake of lava or a glittering green emerald. There’s even lighting available that let’s you choose the colour yourself, or even slowly cycle through the spectrum. New LED lights are extremely hardy and very long lasting – perfect for use in the pool.
TELL US
What are your top tips for lighting your garden and outdoor areas for summer? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Week 1 – The Big Clean-Up
Week 2 – Outdoor Furniture Update
Week 3 – Preparing the Pool
Week 4 – Keeping Your Garden Green
Traditionally pool lights were always white or blue, to give the water an aqua glow. These days all the colours of the rainbow are available, so your pool could look like a lake of lava or a glittering green emerald. There’s even lighting available that let’s you choose the colour yourself, or even slowly cycle through the spectrum. New LED lights are extremely hardy and very long lasting – perfect for use in the pool.
TELL US
What are your top tips for lighting your garden and outdoor areas for summer? Let us know in the Comments.
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Week 1 – The Big Clean-Up
Week 2 – Outdoor Furniture Update
Week 3 – Preparing the Pool
Week 4 – Keeping Your Garden Green
The majority of outdoor lighting that’s either 12 or 24 volts is powered by a transformer. The wiring can be positioned underground or run along poles, walls and fences. The big advantage of this system is that it’s completely safe if a wire is accidentally cut. Take the time to check that all the exterior lights are working. If you hit a dud, remember it may not be the bulb; the wire leading to the light may have been severed and will need replacing.