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LED Outdoor
The garden at night is a world away from its prosaic daytime self, a place of mystery and excitement, of intrigue and entertainment. At least, it is if it’s done right. Garden lights should tantalise rather than dazzle – too much light and the atmosphere is lost, too little and, well, anything you put down gets lost. Creating the look you’re after is simply of matter of planning, and of putting the right light in the right place. Whether you fancy a glittering scatter of lights or mysterious glowing pools of light, there’s a lighting solution out there for you. 1. Uplights for trees Accentuate trees and define the shape of your garden by placing uplights at the base of the trunk, or in adjacent garden furniture. WHEN TO USE: This look works in most gardens, and across most styles. A single, large spotlit tree in a dark sprawling garden will have great visual impact, while a spotlight row might be used to emphasise the ordered geometry of a modern courtyard.
WHAT TO CONSIDER: As with any lighting or electrical work, safety considerations should be addressed up front. Choose lights that have been specifically designed to be placed in the ground, and have cables and connectors laid by a professional. If you’re concerned about possible damage due to falling branches, consider consulting an arborist. GET THE LOOK: Plant trees and place lights at the front and back of the garden to create a sense of depth. Uplights along the side wall add depth to the perspective as well as create a safe passage from the gate to the house.
5. Spotlights Everything positively gleams in the well-placed lighting of this sleek, modern garden. WHEN TO USE: Spotlights are a great way to highlight architectural features and landscaping, as well as garden planting. But spotlights really come into their own in possible danger areas, such as poolside or around a split-level patio or deck. Beyond their visual impact, a couple of well-placed spotlights can be a good security measure. WHAT TO CONSIDER: Once you’ve decided what you want to spotlight, and have taken the usual safety questions into account, it’s worth considering whether the situation calls for complementary lighting. When you’re throwing a lot of light in one spot, the areas around it can seem darker. One way to combat the effect is to install little downlights in the corners of the space. GET THE LOOK: Long rectangular gardens can be livened up with the clever use of planting and lighting. Break up a long stretch by spotlighting trees, or architectural features at regular intervals. Turn the spot on mature trees at the end of the garden to add a sense of perspective to the scene. 6. Coloured lights The interplay of light and colour against a dark background lends a sense of drama and possibility. WHEN TO USE: If you’ve got a flair for the dramatic, and want your garden to reflect that, then coloured lights are right up your alley. Forget about those strings of multi-coloured light globes that shouted ‘student party’ in the 1980s; today’s coloured lights are a whole new ball game. WHAT TO CONSIDER: Once you’ve taken all of the normal practicalities into account, the first thing to ask yourself is whether you want to use colour as a permanent feature, or as a flexible add-on to use when you’re entertaining or celebrating. If you’re looking to create a permanent feature, it’s worth considering whether it will have an impact on neighbours and taking that into account when deciding on the scale of any installation. GET THE LOOK: Coloured light is a fabulous way to add a modern twist to an established courtyard. Choose a colour that reflects another element, such as the paint on the surrounding walls. Strong accents of bright colour, whether plants or lighting, look modern placed against a dark palette, like the stone and pebbles used here.
8. Backlighting Light can be as much about shade, about the shadow it throws in relief, as it is about the illumination it throws. WHEN TO USE: Backlighting is a powerful visual tool in a garden or courtyard based on sculptural shapes and architectural lines rather than softer planting. Backlighting is all about shape and works most effectively in a contemporary-style garden designed along clean lines. WHAT TO CONSIDER: As it’s use is generally confined to courtyards and other walled areas, backlighting doesn’t usually throw up many practical obstacles. It does, however, tend to throw any faults or disrepair in the area into sharp focus, so it’s worth considering whether the relevant walls and pavers need a little attention before they’re shoved into the spotlight. GET THE LOOK: An astute use of backlighting emphasises the sculptural quality of the scene. Choose sharp, dramatic plants and oversized planters with clean lines for best effect. Choose the background wall with care for best effect. Stone, reclaimed brick and well-maintained rendered walls all work well as a backdrop – the light will bring out texture and pattern as well as colour.
GET THE LOOK: A statement light can have a big impact, acting as a feature in its own right as well as throwing reflected light onto surrounding plants. Think big when choosing a feature light for a contemporary garden – oversized globes add real impact. In a traditional setting, an iron lamppost makes a pretty feature. Standing lamps and bollard lights are also a great choice when you need to bring light to a long, dark stretch as well as add a pretty feature. Article by Francesca Newby
11/1/2018 11:45:31 am
Wow! this looks amazing. Love your blog. Thanks for this one. 22/11/2021 09:06:58 pm
Thank you sharing useful information for us. i always read your blog. Comments are closed.
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