Outdoor lighting has so many benefits, making your gardens and outdoor spaces safer, more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you want to highlight garden features or boost security around the home, landscaping lighting installation and design are crucial. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on nailing your next outdoor lighting project.
Invest time in planning
To ensure your outdoor lighting meets your needs, planning is absolutely vital. The first step is to identify the areas you want to illuminate most. This might be stairs, pathways, landscaping features or outdoor entertaining areas. Typically, every light should have a purpose and you won’t be using just one type of light. Some spaces require brighter lights, such as security lighting. You may want to create a sense of ambience in another area in which case you may choose a dimmer light with a more warmer colour.
Carefully plan the placement and direction of all your lights, as this makes the installation process so much easier. Also, planning ensures you don’t over or under-light certain areas. If you’re not certain where to start, consult a Brisbane electrician for outdoor light installation.
Outdoor lighting for safety
Outdoor lighting isn’t just about making your home more beautiful. There are serious safety and security benefits to quality outdoor lights. For security, position motion-sensor lights near all of the home’s entry points. As an extra tip, invest in security lights with modern motion-detection features, as these ensure lights won’t constantly go on throughout the night if there are animals in the area.
For safety, consider the spaces that could be dangerous to walk around in at night. This could be steps, driveways, pathways or even low-hanging branches. Careful consideration regarding light placement can prevent accidents around the home.
Choose appropriate outdoor light fixtures
It might seem like an obvious tip, but you need to choose the right types of IP-rated lights and fixtures for their intended use. IP stands for ‘ingress protection’, and basically refers to the light’s ability to keep dust, contaminants and water out. At a minimum, you should choose IP64 or above, as this offers protection against rain and dust. There are higher levels for lights that may be subject to high water pressure or submersion (such as pool lighting). Your electrician can provide further advice on the lights and fixtures that can stand up to the weather.
Hiding the light source
When highlighting outdoor spaces, it’s good practice to hide the light source as best as possible. Concealing the light source helps to avoid glare and creates a softer, warmer glow. For example, if you’re highlighting landscaping features, use uplighting, where lights are placed at ground level and project the light up towards the feature. Downlights can be effective for illuminating entertaining areas or pathways without exposing bulky light fittings. Overall, this improves the ambience and is more aesthetically pleasing.
Sensors and smart lighting systems
Most modern outdoor lighting systems are available with motion sensors at the very least, especially those used for security. But you can also install smart lighting systems that give you more control. For example, some smart systems allow you to create light scenes for different scenarios. This might mean only certain lights turn on to create more ambience, or if you’re having an outdoor party, something brighter might be suitable. Also, smart systems are great for security as you can turn lights on and off remotely, giving the appearance that someone is home even if you’re away.
Ensure you meet light pollution standards
When designing and installing outdoor lights it’s important to understand Australian Standard 4282 –Control of the Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting. It’s basically a regulation to control the amount of light pollution, both for the benefit of your neighbours and local wildlife. Your licensed electrician should understand this regulation and ensure your outdoor lighting design doesn’t negatively affect surrounding properties or animals.
Test lighting and adjust accordingly
Once your lights are installed, make sure you check them thoroughly, preferably in nighttime conditions. This allows you to see whether they perform their desired function by assessing the light levels, direction and general illumination of an area. If the lights aren’t bright enough, are too bright, or you discover dark areas, you can adjust the setup to suit your needs.
Use only licensed electricians
Finally, if you’re doing any electrical work at home, including landscaping lighting installation, you must use licensed and qualified electricians. Not only is this required by law in Australia, but it also ensures the highest quality and safest outdoor lighting installation for your home.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, landscaping lighting installation can deliver major benefits, creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. Follow these tips and enhance your outdoor areas and create an inviting space for both daytime and nighttime hours.
