Outdoor Garden Lighting Ideas

Garden lighting schemes are usually designed with two purposes in mind. The first is to provide functional light that improves the safety and security of your garden area. The second purpose is purely for aesthetics, with the aim of creating a stylish and attractive outdoor environment.

When it comes to transforming your garden, garden lighting design can have a huge impact on even the smallest of gardens.

In this article, we look at different ways to light your outdoor space next year, and how garden lighting will transform your space.

How to choose the right position for your garden lighting

Garden lighting is a great way to improve safety and security, while providing an attractive decorative feature at the same time.

But to truly reap the benefits of your lighting scheme, you should pay careful consideration to the position of your lights.

Garden lights can be positioned in a number of different ways, including:

• Mounted on the wall
• Recessed into step, lawn or decking
• In borders, pathways, or around the edge of the garden
• In water features
• Alongside structures, such as pergolas
• Alongside trees and plants

Choosing garden lighting that will suit your space

When choosing your garden lighting, be sure to do your research beforehand to gain an understanding of which lighting solutions will work the best in your outdoor space. This will prevent any unnecessary mistakes in the long run.

To understand which type of garden lighting will work best for you, our team of experts have listed the best kind of lighting to suit the style and size of your garden.

Large gardens
Lighting large gardens presents an opportunity to highlight unique features, such as mature trees or tree canopy.

Emphasise developed trees by placing a spotlight at the bottom of the trunk. Use uplighting to light the shapes of the branches and canopy.

Areas to highlight: Trees, larger plants.
Lights to use: Spotlights, uplights.

Smaller gardens
When it comes to lighting a small garden, the aim is usually to make the space appear bigger than it really is, and will usually benefit from any type of lighting.

Avoid overpowering the space by using smaller lights, but still illuminate features such as planters, plants and walkways. Recessed lighting in decking or steps can also create a lovely, illuminating effect in a smaller garden.

Areas to highlight: Planters, walkways, steps, decking.
Lights to use: Recessed lights, uplights.

Cottage gardens
For older, more traditional gardens, it is common to take a more intimate, thoughtful approach to lighting. Think string lighting or lanterns that will create a gentle, charming atmosphere.

In cottage gardens, it’s also likely that you’ll find some stunning features or architectural sculptures that you can light up too.

Areas to highlight: Architectural features, sculptures, walkways.
Lights to use: Recessed lights, string lights.

Modern gardens
In contrast to a picturesque cottage garden, modern gardens tend to favour lighting that is a little more contemporary.

Consider using sleek track lighting and panel lights, to highlight clean, sharp lines and edge. If plants are close to the walls, also consider using well positioned uplights to create stunning silhouettes.

Areas to highlight: Planters, walkways, steps, decking.
Lights to use: Track lights, panel lights, uplights.

Garden lighting with ellumière
Looking to improve safety and security in your outdoor space? Have our tips sparked inspiration to transform your garden in 2024? Great! Now all that’s left to do is to find an effective garden lighting system to help your vision come to life.

ellumière is a simple 12v lighting solution designed especially for garden use, which comes with a 2-year warranty across the entire range of products. No electrician required; it's simple and easy to install yourself.

If you’re keen to learn more about ellumière, or you’d simply like some garden lighting advice, get in touch with our team of experts here at Birkdale. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.