BY JACK TOLLEY-SMYTH, LIGHTING EXPERT AT HOME AND GARDEN LIGHTING BRAND 4LITE
LIGHTING
HOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT GARDEN LIGHTING SCHEME
BY JACK TOLLEY-SMYTH, LIGHTING EXPERT AT HOME AND GARDEN LIGHTING BRAND 4LITE
Exterior lighting used to be purely practical, a floodlight for security or perhaps a modest porch light. Today, modern homes demand a far more thoughtful approach.
Homeowners increasingly want outdoor lighting that combines practicality with atmosphere. And for a very good reason.
While illumination is usually the primary purpose of exterior lighting, it is closely followed by its ability to transform outdoor spaces with stunning aesthetics which extend evening living, create an inviting atmosphere and enhance a home’ s kerb appeal.
The most common mistake with outdoor lighting is failing to plan ahead, treating it as an‘ add-on’ rather than recognising its potential. When integrated into the design from day one, a well-executed scheme can deliver exceptional results and elevate the entire project.
The best approach is to plan out a layered lighting scheme that combines various light sources, allowing them to work together or independently, offering complete flexibility to tailor the space for different purposes.
A layered lighting scheme generally incorporates three elements: ambient lighting, task lighting and accent( or decorative) lighting. In a garden setting, safety lighting should also be considered.
Ambient lighting forms the base layer, gently illuminating key areas including patios, driveways and pathways. The key is striking a balance: providing enough brightness to navigate safely without becoming overbearing.
This layer can feature wall lights, path lights and overhead festoon lighting. You can also use uplighters positioned to project light onto garden boundaries, such as walls, fences, trees or mature hedges. This helps eliminate dark spots and harsh shadows while opening up the space visually and making the garden feel significantly larger.
The second layer is task lighting, which provides practical illumination where needed after dark, adapting to how and when the garden is used. Common zones include outdoor kitchens and bars, barbecue areas, alfresco dining spaces, bin stores and reading nooks. Directional wallmounted lights are ideal for task lighting, as are spotlights and LED strip lights.
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