As we set off into Spring the gardens around us are just bursting with new life and its a real pleasure to look out the window. The trend of large expanses of glass around our homes allows us to connect with the outside world, but what happens when the sun sets and the garden disappears?
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Outdoor lighting provides the key to expanding your living and enjoying these spaces even after dark. Create a beautiful, natural piece of artwork that will allow you to entertain or relax in whilst also offering safety and security. It doesn't take much to enhance your garden, a mixture of low lighting and uplighting balanced out within the area provides a wonderful ambience that sets the mood.

​​Warm white, Cool white, Neutral white??   .......Are you confused?
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Way too often we see builders and clients choosing cool white in their houses because it is brighter. Yes, this is the case, but Cool white is like the sun, so when you see this cool light at night time your brain thinks it should be awake. This is why hospitals, schools and office buildings commonly use Cool white for their lighting but is this what you want at home?
We believe your home and garden should be a place to relax and unwind from the grind of daily life. Warm light from your LED's helps you to achieve this. As humans warm light is more natural as history shows us relying on wood fires and candles at night time. 

Looking for a modern, eco-friendly heating solution that will warm your home this winter? Look no further than our range of EcoSmart, Icon & Cocoon fire places suitable for indoors and outdoors fuelled by bioethanol fuel. NO flue, NO Chimney, NO electrician required

Bioethanol is like Methylated Spirits, it's a plant based renewable energy fuel created by the fermentation of plant by-products like sugar cane, potatoes, bananas and grain. It is classed as easily biodegradable and when it burns the residual emission is carbon dioxide and water steam which is absorbed by plants. 

Today, bioethanol has many uses including the transport industry and manufacturing, and in our fires it creates a beautiful clean dancing flame.

Stix - Effortlessly set up and easily repositioned, its bright flame will keep you captivated as well as comfortable for up to 8 hours. Sturdily constructed from stainless steel, Stix is set to be a head-turner on patios and pergolas around the world.
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Lighthouse - As the name conjures up, EcoSmart’s Lighthouse Series provides a clear and mesmerising light – perfect for illuminating outdoor areas and providing a stunning focal point for any alfresco location.

Aspect - A contemporary fireplace for apartments, houses, offices, bars and restaurants, the Aspect makes an urban design statement and lifts the ambience of any interior. Versatility is paramount, and as a portable, freestanding piece of furniture the Aspect is a popular and well-proven choice for any location.

Mix Fire Bowl - Blending the simplicity of an outdoor fire pit with classic contemporary luxury, EcoSmart Fires’ MIX Fire Bowls add instant life to any architectural environment.

When your looking for bang from your buck lighting is an easy way to transform any outdoor space into a point of interest. We've got a few insider tips that are sure to get you planning what you can do in your home, then its just a matter of letting us help you get the right lights for the job!

A large wall is a great blank canvas for using lighting. Have a bit of fun and add some artwork or low planting to add another dimension to the space.

Recommended LED Outdoor fitting: KEO inground uplight (pictured), NEMO inground uplight (large walls - wider spread). EcoSmart fire feature also available through us.
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Recommended LED Outdoor fitting: Onyx LED wall lights, Titus wall lights

Plants up lit at night look magical. The contrast of light and shadow through the foliage and trunks adds a sense of tranquility and depth into our gardens. By using our LED spiked garden lights you can easily position the fittings to get the light just right, and allow for flexibility as the plants grow.

Recommended LED Outdoor fitting: ​FIREFLY 3W Spike Spotlight (pictured), Lotus 5W spike light (captures wider, taller trees), Willow 11.5W spike light (great for large trees)

To get the best view of your garden at night from inside the home dim down your interior lights, it's hard to compete with the reflection from windows.

Recommended LED Outdoor fitting: Our Titanium 15W LED downlights dim beautifully with a range of dimmers on the market. Suitable for both indoors and outdoors check out our full range here.

Today I was inspired by a quote from Jamie Durie which said that you should create spaces in your garden that are like "people pockets", inviting spaces where people want to spend time. He suggests creating seating areas that encourage visitors to linger outdoors, hugged by plants. I love this idea, my dad is a very keen gardener and has a wonderful garden up in the Adelaide hills in which he has created this type of concept and it really does make you want to see what's going on and be outdoors.

Outdoor lighting is also about drawing people into the garden and making it a welcoming and inviting space in which you want to be a part of. Meandering paths lit by washes of light that guide you gently along offer tranquility and a sense of security. Up lit trees in a garden produce some of the most amazing focal points and add height which makes a space feel larger. Low washing step lights along retaining walls or walkways create a flow of energy and direction, all of which combined make up a wonderful and very liveable outdoor space for you to enjoy year round.

Palm Trees often make a natural focal point to any garden. Their height, textured trunks and wide leaves can be effectively up lit using our LED garden spikes or inground uplights to produce dramatic effects that draw your eye in their direction. We prefer to use our Lotus 5W LED spike light or the Willow 11.5W LED spike light, depending on the height and intensity required, positioned reasonably close to the tree trunk. The spike feature offers flexibility to reposition the light to get the perfect effect, whereas the inground lights offer greater security when used in public spaces. Nature has already created the beauty so we would always recommend using Warm White LED light to enhance plants, but if it's eye popping colour your after then we also have our RGB (colour changing) lights for all you crazy cats.

The Australian Gum with all its twisted and rugged beauty can often be incredibly gorgeous  when lit up. No two trees are the same, its like every Gum Tree has its own personality and when we light them with our spike lights they truely come to life. To get a good show from your Gum Tree we recommend using our Willow 11.5W LED spike lights, sometimes a few lights are needed to capture the size and angles of the tree. For the really big beauties of 20+ metres in height we have our Karri 20W Spotlight which is sure to make an impressive impact. If you feel more comfortable seeing these lights for yourself talk to us about arranging some samples.
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Architectural in design, these Dragon Trees create striking focal points in minimalistic styled gardens that just crave to be up lit. Just look at the lovely shadows that are produced when they are lit next to a wall, it all adds to the drama and texture in a well designed landscape. We recommend using our Lotus 5W LED spike light for instant impact.

Very popular in many gardens these days as a hedging plant, Pittosporums are great at allowing light to penetrate easily through the leaves to create a gentle wash over the majority of the plant. Our little Firefly 3W spike light is perfect for doing the job as they are discreet and very energy efficient, whilst still providing a powerful punch. Ideally when highlighting hedging types of plants its important to leave about 100-150mm gap between the edge of the plants and any paving to allow the light fitting room to spread its light. This space can be still filled in with ground covers to finish off the garden and help hide the light source.

The new Axis surface mounted down light has got us pretty excited here at LED Outdoor. Premium Lighting have brought out this modern, versatile LED spot that you just have to check out. 

Designed to revolve around any application, the Axis is more than just a surface-mounted luminaire. An innovative rotating lens head has been developed from the ground up to provide unparalleled flexibility. Great for mounting onto beams and high ceilings indoor or out (IP65). Axis is a perfect for residential and commercial applications as it is also available in a track mounted option. 

You can find more details here or give us a call to request a sample. 

One of the best ways to enjoy and make the most out of the Australian summer is to be outdoors enjoying great food, beautiful wines and having good conversation with family and friends. So how can you step up this years celebrations and make it that little more special, we've got some tips we thought we'd share with you....

​GOOD PLANNING
The more you plan and organise prior to the event the less stress you'll feel on the day. Get a list going of jobs that need to be done and prioritise them so you have some goals to achieve. If your garden hasn't seen any love for the past year it might be handy to hire a tradie/landscaper for the day or plan for a weekend busy bee with family or friends.

GO LOCAL
​We live in such a lucky and bountiful country that it makes sense to utilise our own home grown produce. We live in the Adelaide hills and we are spoilt for choice when it comes to good food and wine at our doorstep. The small businesses around you are passionate about what they do, just like us, so we love chatting and finding out what their recommendations are and generally work around that as a starting point. 

SET THE SCENE
Do something a little unexpected, grab a theme and create a bit of fun with it. Colourful umbrellas and tableware could be the start to an evening fiesta, complimented by Spanish music and jugs of Sangria, Salut! Or what about an American ranch style setting with bales of hay scattered around for casual seating and big candelabras. Its all about creating atmosphere and nothing sets off the mood like lighting. Up-lighting trees as well as moonlighting down from trees gives great dramatic appeal and really adds interest into an otherwise dark space. Placing lighting around pathways and washing over low planting gives softness and direction to a garden guiding guests around  with ease and without any glare. Why not add a bit of fun with decorative pieces like oversized light globes, colour changing lights and funky fire features. There is so much you can do with lighting, be creative and know that all this effort can be enjoyed all year round, it doesn't have to end when New Years comes around. The world is your oyster so get organising, talk to us about setting the right mood for your garden and live the good life your way! 

As Spring takes hold of us and nature awakens, its time start to thinking more about our gardens and reconnecting with the outside world. Have a look outside your window, what can you see? If its night time when your reading this then its probably pitch black, but imagine what magic you could create with a few selected features in your garden lit up at night…

Lighting plays a key role in extending the indoor-outdoor connection we crave from our homes . Designers and architects alike are creatively using the element of light to capture our imagination and open us up to a world of possibilities. 
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Check out some great ways using light to extend your home without renovating!

Is your dining room cluttered with mess? With a bit of lighting make your outdoor space the new place to eat. Uplighting onto plants gives a beautiful and inviting backdrop to any outdoor dining area.

So as you can see by drawing your eye into your garden you create a whole new space that can be enjoyed indoors or out. Don't let the dark of night close you into your home, expand your living by creatively adding in some light and you'll wonder why you hadn't done it earlier. 

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.

Article by Francesca Newby