How The Right Garden Lighting Option Can Get The Most Out Of Your Garden

The typical home owner is generally house-proud, but that pride often extends to the back garden, into which they can put an equally large effort. Gardening is, after all, a favourite weekend occupation for many and the chance to fully enjoy their own handiwork is understandable. Traditionally, day time was the only time when one could, but the prevalence of garden lighting in the modern garden means it can now be enjoyed at any time.

Lighting for the garden goes far beyond a table lamp powered by an extension cord, with elaborately designed lanterns and lamp posts providing the same homely feel that lamps, complete with intricately made lamp shades, can provide inside the home. Even light bulbs can add to the effect, with coloured bulbs making the black foliage greener despite the lack of sunlight. Whatever effect the home owner desires is covered by the range of option that exists.

There are three principal types of lighting for the garden. The first is a category of its own comprising bollard, pedestal or lamp post lights. These are generally used either to illuminate a route or to illuminate items within the garden itself. The route is usually a driveway, where cars and even walkers can benefit from the series of lights lined up on the driveway verges, much in the same way as runway lights at airports ensure a plane knows where to land. For this, bollard lights are amongst the most effective, and while they are often more robust in their design they can also be rather stylish.

When it comes to being in the garden itself, miniature lamp posts and pedestals provide ample illumination. They are very similar in size and use, but the key difference between the two is in their designs. Generally, pedestals are made of stainless steel but can be available in a number of finishes, including wood, for a more natural effect. They are usually small, as small as just 50cms in height in fact. Lamp posts, however, are miniature versions of the old urban gas lights that are stereotypical of London and Paris of the turn of the 20th century. They are larger than pedestals, with heights reaching 150cms.

Hanging lanterns have a practical use, of course, but they are highly decorative and are preferred as central pieces rather than effective illuminations. For example, a home owner may opt to build a small patio area in their garden, complete with garden furniture on which they can soak up the summer sun. So as to avail of the facility at night, a lantern may be erected, allowing for sufficient light in that small area.

These hanging lanterns mimic the old rustic candle lanterns of a century or more ago, sporting a cast iron appearance with panels of glass around. However, some of the more elaborate versions come in stained glass.

Floodlights can illuminate large areas of a garden, or items within a garden. For example, one may erect sculptures or water features in the garden and use a small floodlight to highlight it. Coloured filters or bulbs can be used to enhance the lighting effect, with fluorescent bulbs as strong as 40w or 60w ensuring that not too much energy is consumed while the maximum light is cast. Other items may be a distinctive tree or even a detached building, like a garden room or orangery.

Of course, the specific light bulbs used in the particular garden lights can be vital in making the whole task of lighting the garden economically efficient, while the power source of the lights can also be a factor. It is not a good idea to use the normal incandescent bulbs, but fluorescent bulbs, halogen bulbs and led lights are all viable, cost effective options.

Meanwhile, solar power is a good method with which to power mobile garden lighting, as the use of batteries can be expensive. Mains power is costly, even if they are the most reliable and timers can be fitted to manage energy consumption efficiently.

While indoors the aesthetic impact of lamps or lights can be enhanced by lamp shades, the readymade options available for the garden mean that aesthetic tastes can also be satisfied there. The practical and aesthetic needs for any home owners are amply covered.

Kathryn Dawson writes articles about LiteCraft, a premier supplier of high quality lighting products which are available at amazing prices. They offer a fantastic assortment of products from light bulbs, table lamps and wall lights to lamp shades and ceiling fans. Whatever lighting you are looking for, Litecraft not only will have the ideal product, but at rates that are up to 75 percent lower than high street prices. If you’re looking for beautiful garden lighting, Litecraft is the place.