Bright Ideas For Outdoor Lighting Designs

External lighting adds a completely new flavour to your garden or your home’s façade. Extending the daylight hours is only a small part of the idea when it comes to light fittings that will be based out of doors. Creating some areas where the light intensity is relatively high is a good idea for any spaces that you will be using during the evening. For instance, this might be under a pavillion or a porch, where you want to hold a cook out during the evening. In such places, it is a good idea to keep the level of light as uniform as possible so that no areas or perceived to be more dark than elsewhere.

Bollard lighting

There are external lighting products available specifically designed to create this level of illuminated uniformity. However, lower levels of light with less uniformity work in a more architectural sense in other external situations. Splashes and washes of light can create great theatrical flourishes. They can also be highly functional, assisting with way-finding and pointing out trip hazards. When it comes to designing your own external lighting, it is best to blend these different sort of effects.

Flaming Lanterns.

Bollard lighting
Bollard lighting

Flickering light always has an appeal that is hard to beat. Think of a romantic meal for two with a simple candle in the middle of the table. To create a soft, playful light effect go for some flame based lanterns that will offer a constantly changing and flickering light. Lanterns come in many shapes and sizes and can burn a wide variety of fuels. For a slow burning, soft effect, go for glazed lanterns which house candles. Even if the light levels are supported by some electrical fittings, the illumination will still flicker and bounce around in an attractive way.

Stringing Vintage Lights.

Bollard lighting

Lighting that is strung along from its wiring has a romantic feel that can evoke a pleasant evening spent in a Parisian café. If this look appeals to you then avoid bulbs that have a pure white or blueish color to them. Yellow and golden tones are better for externally hung vintage lights, especially if there is no cover or shade to the bulb. Cool blue will work in an ultra modern setting, but for that look opt for LED fittings. String your vintage lights out along the underneath of an awning or across a trellis. Ensure the product you choose is suitably rated to be used outside and that it can withstand poor weather conditions.

Planters.

Bollard lighting

Looking for something different when it comes to external lighting? How about planters that are themselves glowing lighting products? All sorts of external furniture can be fabricated to include an element or two of lighting, so think a little about using your external lighting in a novel way.

Wall Washing.

Bollard lighting
Bollard lighting

Creating a wall wash will really make your lighting design work in a way that is more integrated with the rest of the home’s architecture. Wall washes create a soft look, because the light hits your eye having been bounced off the wall. It can draw attention to details in the architecture and make a home seem inviting from the outside. To mark out a route for guests to take wall washes that splash onto the floor is a good idea.

Paving Lights.

Bollard lighting

Paving lights sit within a block paved patio of external floor to mark out obstacles and provide a level of light that is sufficient for you to find you way around. The beauty of these sorts of fittings is that they can be trodden on without being damaged or creating a trip hazard in their own right. Select ones with long lasting LEDs so that you don’t constantly have to replace them.

Bollard Lighting.

Bollard lighting

Bollards are not just for stopping vehicles going where they should not. If you have a an area that you want to mark out with lighting, but don’t want a street-like effect with lamp posts sticking up everywhere, a stylish illuminated bollard is the answer. This is a particularly neat solution if you have light pollution to a neighbor’s property to consider, since the reduced height of bollards allow for very little light spill.