| Used correctly, outdoor lighting can transform your | | | | paths to lend perspective. |
| garden into a magical landscape for night time | | | | Remember to light the garden for safety as well as |
| entertaining. | | | | atmosphere and focus a little bit of light on hazards |
| Drama, excitement and intrigue aren't just essential | | | | such as steps or overhanging branches before inviting |
| elements for a thrilling novel or drama, they should also | | | | friends and family to enjoy your illuminated creation. |
| characterise your garden at night. | | | | Lighting can be beautiful, but be aware of light pollution, |
| If it's a dark, dull space, it's high time you transformed it | | | | making sure that none of your outdoor lights shine |
| with outdoor lighting so that it becomes not only an | | | | directly into someone else's home or garden or are left |
| outdoor 'room' for alfresco entertaining but also when | | | | burning when there's no-one at home to appreciate |
| you want it to be a stunning, magical landscape at | | | | them. |
| nightfall. | | | | You can now get patio lighting, heating, and weather |
| Lighting gives a different dimension to a garden and | | | | protection all in one with a made-to-measure awning. |
| turns it into a fabulous evening spectacle. It alters the | | | | Patio awning incorporates remote control operated |
| perspective and shape of the space, and make the | | | | infra red heating as well as integral lights and could be |
| most ordinary corner or feature look mysterious, | | | | any easy way to transform a patio into the perfect |
| interesting or dramatic. The principles are similar with | | | | spot for alfresco dining, without being a major design |
| the method of lighting a garden to lighting a theatre | | | | undertaking. |
| stage set. | | | | Lighting Tricks |
| It should feature a light which is soft and easy on the | | | | Create magic by lighting trees from below with |
| eye for key areas - the patio or outdoor dining area - | | | | uplighters to enhance their outline or set downlights in |
| with other lights focusing on focal points in the distance | | | | the branches above so they shine down to create a |
| for added visual drama. | | | | moonlight effect. |
| For many people, their garden is more often seen at | | | | Use low voltage lights which have a soft golden glow |
| night not only because of our ever-increasing working | | | | to create atmosphere around dining areas. |
| hours but also because of our long, dark winter. That | | | | Wash walls with a soft light to accentuate texture and |
| makes it essential to use lighting so that the garden | | | | mark out boundaries. Pillar lights are particularly suitable |
| 'works' all year round and is useable at any time. | | | | for this. |
| Another benefit is that, lit properly, a garden can look | | | | Use underwater lighting for artificial pools but light |
| beautiful, whatever the season. | | | | natural ponds from the side to create reflection. |
| In winter, lights can highlight foliage and different | | | | Using coloured fibreoptics, LED and neon lights to |
| textures while in the summer the emphasis can on | | | | create a party atmosphere is emerging as a top trend |
| shrubs or a spectacular flower bed. Less is more | | | | this year. |
| when it comes to lighting. You don't want the area to | | | | Try gas torches for drama, and spike spots to highlight |
| look like a stadium, and you should particularly avoid | | | | grasses and architectural leafy plants. |
| too many lights on the patio, otherwise the effect will | | | | For finishing touches use tea lights in coloured glass |
| be glaring and uncomfortable. Consider instead a few | | | | holders, tall candles in storm lanterns, hanging lanterns |
| downlighters focusing on the eating area, and then add | | | | or fairy lights. |
| atmosphere with hurricane lamps and tea lights | | | | Let there be light in your garden! |
| arranged attractively on talbes, along walls or down | | | | |