Lighting Ideas for Gardens

If the garden is to become an important part of the home and used in the same way as other rooms, it is necessary to provide outside lighting so that the space can be used in the evenings, especially when the weather is warm in the summer. Outdoor lighting is also important from a safety point of view so that people can see where they are going in the dark; it should also help deter intruders.

There are many types of lighting, including blanket cover from a lamp high up on the house. This will provide general illumination and act as security lighting as well. By contrast, a series of lamps set along a path or drive will light that area but the rest of the garden will be dark. Alternatively, different features can be spotlit: trees, ponds or statues can all be lit in isolation to give the garden interest and form at night. Highlighting features in this way creates a dramatic backdrop that is not only seen from the garden itself but also from within the house through key windows. These lights are generally installed low down so that they shine up at the chosen feature. Water can be lit from below the surface as well as from above; illuminated fountains and waterfalls make exciting and spectacular night-time features.

Treat outside lighting as you would lights inside and avoid overall coverage, restricting it to particular areas. Allow for different circuits so, for example, you can have a private meal on a terrace with soft lighting, without the surrounding area being lit up around you. Smaller, softer lights, such as fairy lights, are no more difficult to install than other lights, and candles and torches can be very effective.

There is a large selection of external light fittings on sale that will supply just the right amount of light in the right place, and many of these are unobtrusive during daylight hours, especially if they are hidden in the vegetation. All light fittings must be specially designed for outdoor use; never try to adapt lamps originally intended for use indoors.

While the gardener should be encouraged to choose the location of lights and to work out the general design of the scheme, if there is any doubt at all as to his or her ability to carry out the actual wiring then it should be passed over to a professional, as electricity is particularly dangerous in the damp environment of the garden. Any mains feeds should be of armoured cable and this must be buried at a minimum depth of 2ft (60cm) below the ground.