Atmosphere and function
Good outdoor lighting does more than simply provide light. It makes paths and entrances more visible, increases safety around your home and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. By combining different types of outdoor lamps, you can create a balanced lighting scheme where functional and ambient lighting work well together.
Where do you find what?
Festoons are ideal for creating atmosphere above a patio, veranda or canopy. Wall lights create a welcoming entrance and add style to your façade. Floor lamps light paths, driveways and borders. Solar lighting needs no cabling, so you can place it wherever you like. String lights add subtle ambient light along a pergola or fence. Table lamps provide rechargeable ambient light for your garden table. Garden spotlights and spotlights can highlight a tree, façade or border. Pendant lights work well under a canopy or veranda. Decorative lamps run on solar power or batteries. Ceiling lights sit neatly against the ceiling of your canopy.
Pay attention to the protection rating
Outdoors, you have to deal with rain, moisture and splashing water. Always check the stated protection rating (IP rating) and make sure it is suitable for where you want to place the lamp. A lamp under a canopy has different requirements from one mounted on an exposed façade or placed out in the open garden. A lamp intended for indoor use should not be used outdoors, even temporarily under a shelter.
Wired or solar?
Solar lighting is the simplest option: there is no cabling, and the built-in light sensor switches the lamp on automatically when it gets dark. If you want more brightness or reliable lighting throughout the year, choose mains-powered lighting instead. Always use an underground power cable for cables that are laid in the ground, and make sure there is a safe connection point such as an outdoor socket. For fixed electrical connections, call in a professional.
Automatic on and off
Outdoor lighting that you have to switch on manually every evening is becoming less common. With a dusk sensor, your lighting switches on automatically as soon as it gets dark and adjusts to the changing seasons. A motion sensor switches the light on when someone approaches, which is particularly handy at the front door. Many of our outdoor lights already have a built-in sensor.
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