Lighting Ideas For Your Garden

Garden lights help create a perfect mood for the outdoors. Adding lights to your garden doesn't have to be complicated. The addition of lights will mean you can spend more time enjoying your outdoor space when the sun goes down.

We've spent some time researching garden lighting options, so you can decide which ones are best for you and your garden.

Spending time in the garden over summer is how many of us like to relax outdoors. Be that at a weekend or after a long day at work, and you want to spend some time outdoors.

Should You Install Garden Lighting?

When you add lighting to your garden, anything that isn't plugged into an outdoor socket or at the end of an extension cable that runs inside should be installed by a professional.

Either adding an outdoor socket or more permanent lighting options should need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Electricity is not something you can see, hear or smell, so installing it requires specialist equipment to ensure it is installed correctly.

An electrician will also be able to sign off the installation for you as safe. See our post on installing Electrics at home for more on why it's best an electrician carries out this or any other electrical work in your home.

Types of Lights for a Garden

The types of lights and how they are installed in your garden is the fun part. Here are the main types of lights that you can add to your garden that help create the right feeling of a relaxed atmosphere. Having friends or family over for a BBQ is a more relaxed, enjoyable experience when you have relaxing lighting.

With most of your garden lighting, you're probably better off looking for something that has a warming glow. Warm lights will help create a more relaxing space. It's best to keep white lights to floodlights or where you need a stronger light. e.g. to see the main space in the garden or over a BBQ.

1. Garden Flood Light

Okay, adding a floodlight isn't the chilled vibes you're looking for, but you will be thankful you added one if you don't have one. A floodlight will light up your garden and help when it comes to home security.

Another benefit of a floodlight is that you will be able to see when you are in the garden and need the extra lighting to see what you are doing. Remember to turn your brighter lights off if you want a more relaxed atmosphere.

2. Decking Lights

If you have a wooden decking area, you might want to add lights to the edge of the steps or the edge of the decking area. This will help line the edges of the space so your guests are kept safer. These smaller lights will also add an element that creates a more relaxed feeling, as they are not as harsh as other lighting.

3. Solar Lights

Adding lights that are powered by solar is less reliable, as it will depend on the amount of daylight they have received during the day. But solar lighting doesn't require any additional work, and they can typically be moved about easy enough.

Solar lights are not just on a stake in the ground. There are also fairy lights that you can string around a tree, inside a parasol or along a fence panel.

4. Use Candles as Lights

Placing citronella candles around where you will be sitting will help keep the bugs away. The smell of these candles can bring back memories of sitting outside on a summer evening.

They also add a warm natural glow to your table, which is enjoyable when entertaining outside. Be careful if small or young children are visiting, as they could harm themselves on the flames.

5. Standing Lamp

This might seem like a strange idea, but bring a lamp from indoors to outdoors. There's no reason you can't do this on a dry evening, and it can help add light to the corner of a garden that needs it most.

You can use a lamp with an adjustable head to light the BBQ or outdoor bar area. This way, your guest can better see what they are doing.

6. Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are a great way to add a warm glow to any area of your garden. Small and flexible, they can be wrapped around a tree, along a fence panel or, as we mentioned above, the inside of a parasol.

You can get solar-powered fairy lights, but a more reliable option is to get some that plug into a USB port. A great idea for USB lights is to plug them into a rechargeable power pack. This means that you don't need to rely on there being enough sun to charge them up.

7. Path Lights

Built in lights around the edge of your path or patio area are a way you can light up the ground. This helps you and your guest to be able to see where they are walking. This type of lighting will be best installed by a professional, as it will normally be attached to the mains power.

8. Multi-Colour Lights

Lighting in a garden can all seem white or orange but be bold and add something a little different. We don't mean disco lights, but if you want to, then go ahead and add them disco lights.

Adding colourful lights or having a novelty element can be fun for your children or younger guests. Maybe you can decorate an area in your garden for your younger ones?

Not Just a Flood Light

Whichever lights you choose, have fun and remember to choose waterproof ones. Some lights you don't mind putting out each time you need them. Some lights are better suited to being out and ready for you to use without hours of setting up.

Mix the type of lights you have to create a welcoming environment for you and your guests. Think creatively over where to put your lights to create the overall feeling.

Think about the lighting that will help you during the autumn and winter. Add the lights now and you'll be able to enjoy a winter BBQ.

Where to Put Lights in a Garden

Here are ten ideas for putting your lights in your garden. These ideas all help create the perfect mood lighting in your garden:

• In or around trees
• Around shrubs and bushes
• Along a fence
• The eves of your house
• Around your garden shed
• In your decking
• The edge of a patio
• Lighting the path of a driveway
• Inside a parasol (battery operated are ideal)
• Around flower beds

Remember, if you need help installing an outside socket to power all your lights, you'll be best to contact a local electrician who will be able to advise you on how many sockets you need.