One of the best tools you can use in your garden to accentuate its benefits and features is light. Don’t make your garden a no-go area when the sun goes down; install outdoor lighting and you can make great use of all that extra space all year round. But what are our top tips to consider before you invest in lighting?

Our Five Top Tips for Outdoor Lighting

1. First, a little planning goes a long way. If you’re not confident in doing this yourself, why not hire the services of an experienced lighting designer? It needn’t cost the earth, and having professional help could save you money in the longer term if you go it alone and make unfortunate mistakes!
2. Second, make safety a focus when you plan lighting. It’s a good idea to consider potential pitfalls such as small steps or raised borders, for instance. These are obstacles that could cause accidents if people are using your garden after hours. Incorporating them into your lighting design will prevent slips, trips and falls. Stairs and steps, for instance, can be enhanced and made into a feature with flexible LED strip lighting or under-tread lights.
3. Third, consider security. One of the valuable aspects of outdoor lighting, as well as opening your garden up to use after dark, is that it will increase the security of your property. It’s well known that lighting can deter opportunistic thefts and trespassers. So what type of lighting can help here? Motion sensors are great – added to some outdoor lights, they can activate those lights when someone enters your property. Just make sure these aren’t too close to bedrooms, though, if you have lots of wildlife in your garden which may be constantly triggering your outdoor lights! Other options include timers to switch lights on automatically on a schedule, which can give the impression that your house is occupied, even when it’s not. Nowadays, lighting can even be controlled remotely via SMART lighting products.
4. Fourthly, make use of lighting to highlight aspects of your garden that you’re particularly proud of. The principles of architectural lighting design can be used to accentuate a sculpture, water feature or an exotic plant or tree, for example. An experienced lighting designer can show you how to make the very most of the work and love you’ve put into your garden in this respect.
5. Fifthly, then, you have lighting that helps with outdoor living. In late spring, summer and early autumn, lighting can help you make the most of any good weather we get by lighting patio and other seating areas. Whether it’s large scale entertaining with parties or intimate get-togethers with close friends, the right lights can create a lovely ambience that will enhance any situation.

Energy Efficient Options for Your Garden Area

One aspect you may worry about, especially if you plan lavish outdoor lighting, is the hike in your energy bills. You needn’t worry unduly about this, though, if you take expert advice from a lighting designer. Modern outdoor lighting can be remarkably energy efficient. LED bulbs are significantly cheaper to run than their older counterparts, so forget the cost and beautify your garden with outdoor lighting today!