Lighting—lighting the scene

A sound investment in the right lighting is essential if you want to maximise your garden's usage and design.

If you can’t properly access your outdoor room at night, you’re depriving yourself of many potential hours of peace, calm and enjoyment. Your entertainment area will extend its opening hours considerably with an inviting wash of light, and if you are lucky enough to have a pool or spa, an evening dip in glowing surrounds with a canopy of stars above is surely one of the great pleasures in life.

Of course there are compelling practical reasons, too. Lighting pathways, stairs and entrances is a must for safety and a sensor spotlight at the front will double as a deterrent for any unwelcome guests.

On a pure design level, lights create instant atmosphere, dictating the mood of the evening, whether it be warm and romantic or vibrant and invigorating. A well-positioned spot will draw the eye to an architectural plant and a graduated beam of gold will silhouette a handsome tree. Gazebos and pergolas turn into cosy outdoor havens with the addition of a few twinkling lanterns. And water features can look their very best with light gleaming on the water’s surface, picking up the texture and movement of its flow and highlighting little splashes.

The question you need to ask yourself is how much lighting does your outdoor space need, and what’s the most energy-efficient way of achieving this?

Some lighting options to consider are:

• Fixed lighting—including block or inset, eyelid, LED, solar, pole or bollard, recessed downlights, spike, spotlights, wall and water lights
• Decorative fixed lighting—including coloured, light boxes and light walls
• Non-fixed lighting—including lamps, lanterns and solar garden lights
• For more information and images see my book The Source Book Second Edition

My Patio by Jamie Durie range also includes a variety of solar and decorative lights and lanterns.