The purpose of outdoor lighting, just like indoor lighting, is to provide light (obviously) as well as safety and ambiance in a yard, driveway, garage, or other outdoor space.
This month, we take a close look at outdoor lighting solutions.
Driveway and walkway lighting
The goal here is to strike an even balance between aseptically pleasing lighting and useful lighting. Strategic lighting not only promotes safety for a visitor approaching your home, but it also creates a desirable kind of ambient.
Front door and porch lighting
Firstly, consider the style of your home, and ideally match your front door and porch lighting to that.
All sconces – like those mimicking oil lanterns – are great for older and traditional homes, while more modern homes and townhouses might go well with pendant lighting that has sleek, chic lines and comes in contemporary shades like copper, grey, and silver.
Wall-fixed porch lights are the perfect balance between looks and practicality.
Garage lighting
Before you choose your lighting, though, you’ll need to decipher the main purpose of your garage. These days, the garage is more than a place for your car. It’s also a workspace, a storage room, a workshop, or a gym, too.
Tube lighting is a great option for a space where natural lighting – usually due to a lack of windows – is limited. In the past, much of the tube lighting available was fluorescent lighting, but today’s diverse market means the more favourable LED lighting can also be used.
Pool lighting
Pool lighting nails the balance between mood and safety. In fact, the word lighting can actually be substituted with “illumination” when we talk about a swimming pool. The three most important considerations when illuminating your pool are:
Brightness (go for softer illumination rather than harsh, bright lights)
Colour (you can be quite creative here!)
Energy-efficiency (make the switch to LED)
The right pool lighting can instantly change the ambiance of your backyard when night falls, adding drama, excitement, and glamour.
Deck lighting
Festoon lights
Festoon lights are like giant fairy lights: they add a touch of cosiness, comfort, and delight, and create a distinctly festive ambiance. Festoon lights are popular for parties and weddings, too.
Bunker lights
Bunker lights are great for drawing focus to specific outdoor areas. They are versatile in that they can be attached to almost any flat surface, and can be wall or ceiling mounted.
Solar stick lights
Solar stick lights are perfect for illumining a garden path, and the best part about them is that they are wireless, relying solely on energy from the sun (and they look great, too!)
Step lights
Poor lighting on outdoor steps can prove to be a real hazard, especially for children. Step lights are practical yet subtle, and come in a variety of styles and colours.
Outdoor timers and sensors
We’ve come to rely on smart timers and sensors to provide us with the lighting we need, exactly when we need it. Instead of leaving an outdoor light on when we leave the house – during daylight hours – in anticipation for our arrival home late at night, a sensor provides light for only those few minutes when you’re arriving home.
Outdoor lighting tips
Choose solar where possible – it will provide you with tangible energy savings and a reduction in your power bill
Go low – low wattage is usually enough to provide warm, ambient, and helpful lighting
Consider how each outdoor space will be used – pathways are primarily for those visiting your home, while you’d ideally use decking quite regularly for meals and BBQs during the summer
Avoid harsh spotlights that could potentially cause glare – spotlights should be used to illuminate a solid space, like a wall or mural
Don’t forget about the view from the inside – there are two “layers” of outdoor lighting: the lighting used when you’re actually outside, as well as the lighting you’ll see when you’re inside, looking out
Outdoor lighting designs
Thinking about how your backyard could be improved with better and more efficient lighting solutions? Or are you in the middle of a new build, renovation, or landscaping mission? Central Electrical Group will work closely with your landscaper and gardener to create a cohesive lighting design that complements their garden plans.