Garden LightsIt is really only during the summer months that you get to enjoy your garden to its full potential. As winter approaches and the evenings draw in, entertaining outdoors becomes unfeasible as does simply enjoying the view out over your garden. By adding a few well placed lights around your garden you will not just have the opportunity to enjoy your garden all year round (be it from the warmth of your home!) but also create a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of drama which was missing before.Illuminating the area outside your home isn’t quite as simple as it may seem which is why many people choose to hire garden lighting specialists. However by following a few simple principles, using certain techniques and planning carefully you can enhance both the beauty and security of your garden. Firstly you must consider how you use different areas of your outdoor space as those used for entertaining will need to be illuminated with different techniques to those in which the focus is on plants or trees. It is then necessary to note any features, architectural or otherwise that you would like to draw attention to, for instance an unusual shaped tree, a statue or an interesting feature of your home itself. Lighting frequently used pathways in your garden is essential (especially those with steps), as this will not only act to welcome people to your home but also enhance the safety of your walkways. Once you have noted the areas and features that you wish to illuminate it is necessary to consider the view from the inside of your home as it is pointless to light your garden in such a way that it is not possible to enjoy it from indoors. It is important to remember that with outdoor illumination less is always more. With this in mind you want to avoid over illuminating any one area of your garden as this will not only produce annoying glare but will also throw other areas of your garden into dark shadow which is not an attractive look and not good from a security view point. There are a variety of techniques which you can combine to create dramatic effects within your garden such as downlighting (good for emulating moonlight), silhouetting and shadowing. Having chosen the techniques you will use to highlight different aspects within your garden you must then consider the light source you will use to power these lights. It is possible to run garden lights from your mains supply; however this is an energy and economically inefficient way to illuminate your garden, especially as these lights may be on for long periods. Low voltage lighting is a good option as it is much more efficient, is flexible and so can be moved or altered as the landscape matures and a is generally a safer option. Low voltage lighting also tends to be fitted with smaller, more discrete fixtures which can easily be hidden in foliage making the overall finish smoother and more attractive. To power your garden lighting with low voltage you will need to install a transformer, however a qualified electrician can do this for you. Solar lighting is also an attractive option for garden lighting. Once you have installed the lighting within your garden it is advisable to adjust the direction and intensities of the lights until you are completely happy as this will maximise the enjoyment you will get in the future. It is however worth adjusting and maintaining your lighting once a year to ensure that it will continue to show your garden in its best light for years to come. |
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