GARDEN LIGHTING IDEAS

hat a difference

Wa bit of light makes to a garden at night! A few sparkling fairy lights around the patio and a softly glowing lantern on the table will help you soak up the atmosphere on warm evenings.

You don’t need masses of The aim is to multicoloured bulbs dangling create a softly from every lit focal point branch. The aim is to create a softly where you’re lit focal point where you’re sitting or sitting or eating, eating, then a and then a few highlights on few highlights shrubs and trees, elsewhere stake lights placed through a border, or fairy lights dressing up a shrub or fence.

Solar-powered

If you don’t have a power point for mains electricity outdoors, battery or solar-powered lights can be used. They look pretty and are versatile as you’re not dependent on a cable to the mains power supply. However, they don’t throw much real light and only last as long as the battery or sunlight charge. However, they’re brilliant as fairy lights for covering fences, screens or shrubs with glowworm glamour, and some of the larger strings of lights with colourful ornamental shades make lovely swags around patios and pergolas. The panel on solar-powered lights should be in a bright position during the day, and not shaded by foliage.

Candles

Candles make an excellent focal point. Three to five grouped together on the table will throw a seductive glow bright enough

STYLE TIPS

l Create cosy entertaining areas in the garden – string up fairy or festoon lights back and forth across a pergola. Using stakes, create an illuminated perimeter around your seating area. l Alternatively, in a small space, secure several strings of lights from a central point on a wall then fan them out, securing them at different points along on a fence or wall opposite. l For a cascade of light, try hanging fairy light nets or curtains against a wall or fence. l Trail one or two sets of lights from the bottom of a tree and wrap them around individual branches, or use icicle-style lights to hang down from the branches, secured in place with cable ties. l Create a table centrepiece by using wire battery lights in a jar or vase. Cluster lights of various sizes together for added impact. l Group lanterns in corners, use them to light steps or dot them along a pathway or flower border. to eat by. Choose candles of varying height for a more interesting effect and a better spread of light. It’s best to give them a little protection, so consider placing tea lights in clean jam jars or invest in pretty lanterns for larger pillar candles. This way they’ll be less affected by draughts and are safer.

Assessing hazards

l When setting out mains-powered lighting think carefully about the run of the cable from plug to lights, and between lights. It shouldn’t cross paths creating a trip hazard, be left in a position where people can walk into it accidentally, or lie in wet areas (lift it off the ground). l In reliably dry weather, consider running an extension cable from a socket indoors out into the garden. Again, great care with position is vital, as is taking it back indoors at the end of the evening. l Don’t overload your system by powering huge numbers of lights through one socket via adaptors. If in doubt, count up the wattage of all the lights you’re planning to attach, and check it against the current rating of the extension lead. And remember to place a circuit breaker between plug and socket when using outdoor lights.

Mains-powered

If you have a mains power point accessible outdoors, the lighting can be left in place – just plug in and switch on. Good choices of mains-powered garden lighting include long strings or festoons of lights. Spotlights or uplighters will create fun shadows if positioned near trees or shrubs.

Fine dining

It’s important to have your lighting sorted for alfresco evening meals in summer. They may start in the daylight but the last thing you want to be doing after a meal is rummaging around trying to sort the lighting. So make sure everything is already in place for these occasions.

String up lengths of festoon lights over your outdoor dining space for a pretty display that will twinkle well into the evening. These lights from Lights4Fun can be connected together to make up to 150m of lighting, so you can make your whole garden glow at night. Warm white LED connectible festoon lights, Lights4Fun

Make use of existing features

By using what is readily at your disposal you can get an instant display. Trees are great places for fairy lights, and arbours will hold festoon lights nicely.

Easy uplighting

Lighting doesn’t have to be purely practical and the odd ornamental light here and there can elevate a garden. Create an atmosphere in your beds and containers with stake lights. When stuck into a planting scheme the uplighting effect gives off dramatic shadows. Solar varieties are a good choice as they can be moved around at will.