Use lighting to set the mood in your garden
The summer months are a great time to enjoy your garden but how best to take advantage of the warm evenings. Leila Jones provides some thoughts on how to light your garden.
Use Lighting to Set the Mood in Your Garden
When the night rolls in and you want to carry on enjoying using your garden then the choice of lighting in your garden is important. You can use lights to set the mood, and there are so many different options available. You can place candles on your table, string fairy lights around the trees, use spike lights to illuminate a pathway and use strip lights to highlight the stairs to your deck. Here are some of the most unique ways to use lighting in your garden:
Hang Lanterns
Whether you prefer metal or paper, hanging lanterns is the perfect way to create an atmosphere in the garden. Although the origins of lanterns began in the Victorian age as a way of lighting the streets, they are now a staple of modern garden lighting. You will be able to find lanterns in every colour, shape and size. If you have lots of greenery in your garden, a brightly coloured lantern adds a fun element.
Wrap String Lights
String lights are very affordable and have a fairytale effect on your garden. The advantage of them is that they can be wrapped almost anywhere – around trees, around pergolas, along the roof or around plant pots. If you want to create an inviting atmosphere in your garden, opt for warm tone string lights. They will create a warm glow that will encourage you to enjoy relaxing in your garden well into the night.
Place a Pendant
If you have an outdoor dining area, take inspiration from the indoors and use a pendant light to illuminate the space. Pendant lights are perfect as a statement piece, and they come in many different styles, so you’re sure to find one that is right for your garden. If you have lots of grey and neutral tones in your garden, look for an industrial-type fixture. If your garden is more contemporary, copper or stainless steel fixtures will be ideal.
Tree Lights
In the winter, or even for a special party, lights in your trees create a magical atmosphere. To achieve this whimsical look, you just have to wrap LED bulbs around the branches. Once again, opting for a warmer tone will make the lights look more inviting. The advantage of using LED bulbs is that they have a longer lifespan, so you won’t have to constantly detangle the lights in order to replace the bulbs. They are also much more cost-effective to run, avoiding a dent in your electricity bill.
Uplights
To give your garden a touch of the wow factor, use uplights to draw attention to shrubbery and architectural features. You can use them to enhance walls, and the effect will make your garden seem much bigger. You often see this style of lighting at hotels, where they want to highlight the swimming pool at night. Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have a swimming pool, but we can still recreate the stunning look!
Driveway Lights
It’s really important to illuminate your driveway at night for safety reasons, but driveway lighting doesn’t have to be unappealing. You can use stake lights along your driveway to guide visitors to your door, or place recessed lights into the ground for a neater look.
About the author
Leila Jones is from St.Helens, a small town in the UK. She is passionate about blogging, interiors and fashion, and loves to spend evenings chilling in the garden.
Posted in: Guest
Metal sculpture in brass, mounted on an 1800s French Coin
The list you made is just perfect for a project that I’ll be doing. Creative lighting for a backyard gazebo. Any tips for building a gazebo?
Hi Nadya, I’ve not made one but given the latest weather, I’d recommend ensuring it’s nice and strong. Include cross members in the design to stop it twisting and have solid foundations.
Thanks for putting up this list together! I agree, what better way to set the mood of your garden at night but to hang and install lights. I specially love decorating my outdoor space with lights at summer time, this article sure comes in handy.
I want to decorate the space around my garden and I need some ideas! I didn’t know you could add a bright lantern to give your green garden a fun vibe. That’s something I would love and could show off to our family friends when they come over, so I’ll look for fun hanging lanterns that fit my backyard and budget, thanks to this post!
I liked that you mentioned adding lanterns in your garden will help you to create a smooth atmosphere. My husband and I are thinking about remodeling our garden, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about the benefits of adding lanterns in our garden to create the best atmosphere.