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4 POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN LIGHTING YOUR OUTDOOR AREA 1. LAYER YOUR LIGHTING As with inside the home, you want to make sure your outdoor lighting is layered and includes the three main types of lighting: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting will provide a general level of illumination so that you can see where you are going. This can be hanging lights, wall lights and post lights. Task lighting will illuminate specific areas of your outdoor space where activities take place. This can be in the form of security floodlights or lighting around the braai area or pool. Accent lighting will highlight certain features in your garden, making them a focal point. Examples include string lights on the patio or spotlights angled at the base of a beautiful tree or architectural feature.
want to get the most bang for your buck, you need to select fixtures that will stand the test of time. Look for robust designs that can handle all types of weather and seasons. Fixtures made from materials like die-cast aluminium and shock-proof resin won’t easily corrode or show signs of wear and tear over the years. 3. USE ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPTIONS If lighting the exterior of your home feels like an added expense you can’t afford, consider energy-efficient options. They’re worth the initial investment to ensure you don’t rack up a high electricity bill every month, especially if you would like your outside lights to burn
2. THINK LONG TERM Durability is possibly the most important thing to look for when buying outdoor fixtures. Lighting is an investment and if you really
throughout the night. Solar power is your best bet, followed by LED. Solar lighting uses energy from the sun to power up. An added benefit of solar lighting is that load shedding won’t affect how or when you can illuminate your garden at night. LED lights use considerably less electricity than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and, with a longer lifespan, they don’t require replacing that often. Motion sensor lights in certain areas are a great option too. They’ll only switch on when movement is detected and, depending on your requirements, this may be all you need, especially when it comes to floodlights. 4. TAKE A LOOK FROM INSIDE Always consider how your outdoor lighting looks from inside your home. Too many lights or lights that are far too bright will cause unwanted glare. This is not pleasant for you when gazing out your windows in the evening and it certainly won’t
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be pleasant for your neighbours either, so keep them in mind too when positioning your fixtures. Carefully considered garden lighting can make the interior of your home feel bigger because it creates a room-expanding view. A water fountain or treasured flower garden bathed in a gentle wash of light is lovely to look at from inside, as is a beautifully lit patio or pool area. www.radiant.co.za
