Is Garden Lighting Overlooked?

9 years ago

So much thought is put into interior lighting but is the garden being neglected?

Although you'd be a mad man or woman to bask outside in the garden with the weather as it is, when it dies down and sunny spring arrives - will garden lighting play an important role in creating a nice ambience in the dead of night or aren't people that fussed about illuminating their yard?

Yes, I see Garden Lights As An Extension Of The Home - They Are Important

No, I'll Leave It To The Street Lights Outside.

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Andrew Wenham Garden Design

8 years ago

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Comments (24)

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Perfect Integration Ltd
9 years ago
I think it would matter on the state of one's garden...I wouldn't want lights to expose a wild mess! But if the garden were to be an extra feature then lights could of course be a nice way to add a welcoming atmosphere to the home, although you're right, I have not given it much thought in the past!
Tony McIntyre
9 years ago
I currently don't have lighting in my garden, but when I will when I am renovating!
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Not sure if you have now sorted out your garden lighting yet I've only just come across your question! But if you haven't yet then you could definitely do as you have suggested already and have some decking lighting, some examples of such you can find here as there are also many decking light kits to choose from. http://www.thebulbco.com/outdoor-led-lights/led-ground-lights/led-decking-lights For something different to think about for wall lighting, why not think about getting some in wall brick lights for something a little bit unusual perhaps http://www.thebulbco.com/outdoor-led-lights/led-ground-lights/outdoor-brick-lights Hope this helps a little but would be good to see some of your finished photos once you have them to hand to see what you decided on!
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you can buy bamboo that's pretty tall from garden centres...7ft at least. If you bought a couple you could put a spade through the root ball to double it. I've had self clumping bamboos for 17 years and they have never run off and spread..the diameter just gets larger so I don't plant too near to a fence (at least 1m away)
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That looks lovely and serene! Love the planting And the lawn looks so much healthier😀. Can I ask what type of paint you’ve used for the shed and fences? Would you recommend it? I’m after something for air dried pressure treated timber.
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Hi Chris, You've had a lot of good advice given to you already! Just a couple of considerations to bear in mind: You dont necessarily need to have a screen by the rear fence (as you are planning to have an outbuilding there, which will already be private and covered anyway). You can screen the areas that you want more privacy in (usually your seating areas) with screening around it. And in this case, screening can take many forms: a pergola with climbers on top, small trees or other plants such as bamboo. Bamboo is great as it gives you a lot of height without occupying a huge area. BUT THEY ARE INVASIVE! So make sure that you get a clumping variety (as was already said here) AND also make sure that you plant them with a suitable barrier at least 1m deep in the ground around their rhyzome system, as even the clumping ones, if planted on the ground without barriers can spread to your immediate neighbour (another alternative would be to plant them in big troughs and not on the ground). And yes, pleached trees do require a degree maintenance to keep their shape (as was already mentioned here). In London it is very probable that you are in heavy clay soil area. In this case, it is very important to be careful with planting trees very close to the house because their roots are more prone to cause subsidence than in other soils. If you need any further help, I offer a range of online garden design services from sketches and planting plans only to full on garden plans with 3D visuals. Please dont hesitate to have a look at my website to see my portfolio and get in touch. All the best, Deborah The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
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alant1000
9 years ago
I've got some in the decking
PRO
Direct Trade Supplies
Original Author
9 years ago
Perfect Integration - Yes, you are right.. you wouldn't want the light to highlight the gardens mess. Then again, if the garden is that messy lights could aid you as you manoeuvre around.

Tony - Good thinking. It has the potential to be a great focal point and a real asset to late night drinks/dinners outside. Direct Trade Supplies have a vast collection of outdoor lighting so if you ever needed help selecting some new garden lights, just get in touch.

Alant1000 - Deck lighting is really good for subtlety, discreet but very effective. They can make the rain actually look quite nice as it bounces on the wet decking. A photo would be great if you have one?
PRO
Distinct landscapes
8 years ago
Garden lighting is essential if you want to spend any evening or nights entertaining.
PRO
Marionville Masonry
8 years ago
garden lighting is good
PRO
SM Electrical Supplies LTD (SM Lighting)
8 years ago
Garden lighting is very important and overlooked
PRO
Andrew Wenham Garden Design
8 years ago
I use lighting in all my gardens, its the fourth dimension!
PRO
Hepburn Designs
8 years ago
Garden lighting is so important!! I think it is just as important for winter as summer as it is dark when we get home in the winter. Having your garden lit extends the views from you home and eliminates that wall of black glass. I always discuss garden lighting with clients especially when they are extending or opening up the back of their homes with large windows/doors. The garden can be enjoyed from the comfort of the heat of the house as well as outdoors on those rare summer nights when we can sit out there!!
PRO
Kinniburgh Pools Ltd
8 years ago
Why not enjoy the outside as much as the inside, another dimension and area to enjoy 24 hours a day.
PRO
Aspire2 Garden Design
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Garden lighting is essential if you want to enjoy your garden after dusk and can highlight focal points to be viewed when you are inside your home.
PRO
Saracen Interiors
8 years ago
important to bring your garden to life
PRO
Wiltshire Garden & Interior Design
8 years ago
Garden lighting is critical not only is it practical but also extends enjoyment of your garden into the evening
PRO
Bohemian Chandeliers
8 years ago
I believe Garden lighting is as important as any other lighting inside the house.
PRO
Manoj Malde Garden Design
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Garden lighting is definitely important but is often overlooked or done really badly. People use lights inside the house to create ambience so lighting should be used for similar reasons in a garden. If well designed, garden lighting can bring a garden to life at night.
ghesp
8 years ago
We have a single flood light in the garden and it's terrible.
Fortunately I had the foresight to ask our electricians to wire in a switch for outside lighting when doing our kitchen.

When we do the garden either with year or early next year, I'll be using uplights against the brickwork of the house, and then in the flower beds around the garden.

Id like to have bamboo around the edge of the garden with lights in it
PRO
Manoj Malde Garden Design
8 years ago
@ghesp if you are thinking about planting bamboo I would advise to use some kind of a root barrier as bamboo can get invasive. Also it would be good idea to choose a clumping variety of bamboo like the black cane bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra). I tend to strip the lower leaves off so that it shows off the black canes and if you are thinking about putting lighting amongst the bamboo it would create some lovely shadows at night.
ghesp
8 years ago
Thanks, that's exactly what I'll be doing! I wasn't aware of the root barrier though, anything you suggest?
PRO
Manoj Malde Garden Design
8 years ago
You are most welcome. If you go to amazon and type root barrier you will see them there. A good garden nursery should also have these.
PRO
Double D Landscapes
8 years ago
You can get great garden lighting.
PRO
AG Interiors
8 years ago
Garden lighting is crucial - it can make your garden look quite magical at night if done properly ......
PRO
Pagazzi Lighting
7 years ago
A great lighting design always includes outdoor spaces! LED lighting strips are an amazing, cost-effective way to add a contemporary finish to your garden.
PRO
GreenlinesDesign Ltd
7 years ago
Lighting creates year long interest into your garden and is not just practical but enhancing and enlarging the views from your indoors during the dark winter months.

Is Garden Lighting Overlooked?

Andrew Wenham Garden Design

Comments (24)

Perfect Integration Ltd

Tony McIntyre

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Is Garden Lighting Overlooked?

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