Do you want some night-time ambience, an illuminated entertaining area or a sense of security after dark? The right outdoor lighting will help you achieve this. Here are some handy hints to help you make the right decision about outdoor lighting.
First steps
To make the most of your outdoor lighting it’s a good idea to work with an expert to develop a lighting plan. A plan or sketch with measurements is required to get the ball rolling for a design. The consultation is very important to assess the needs and wants of the customer. Budget is a factor too and when the designer has some basic information the process can begin. Light it right
Once you have established your plan, it’s time to focus on the fun stuff – choosing your lights. Be they minimal, modern or traditional, the light fittings you choose will play a key role in developing the ambience of your outdoor area. You’ll need to think carefully about the level of illumination you want for the area; suffused light will look lovely along paths, but won’t do the trick if you need a strong light source above your front door.
Again, it’s important to talk to the experts. Using a showroom or a website lighting designers work with you to narrow down the product likes and dislikes. The goal is to arrive at a design that is functional, cost-effective and looks great.
There are eight main types of outdoor lighting, each designed to suit different needs and situations. Outdoor wall lighting comes in a wide range of styles – from up and down lights, which can help illuminate interesting architectural features, to cube lighting, which can create a subtle ambience in entrances or verandas. Tubular wall lighting is great for a sophisticated, soft radiance on walls outside the garage.
If you require lighting for an outdoor entertaining or garden area, bollards are a good option. These pole shaped lights come in a wide range of styles – from stylish cubic designs to traditional  ‘coach lantern’ lights – and will give your outdoor area a soft radiance. Some bollards are specifically designed for highlighting garden features; rocks, sculptures, low plants and garden edges will all benefit from some diffused illumination.