You can choose the wattage and the beam angle with the halogen bulb, and they are very small. With some new reflectors you can now have a small light that gives more light than the tungsten kinds, and uses half the energy. This is why halogen lights are so common in our gardens.

Next up we have the hanging garden lights, which as the name suggests can be hung on beams, branches, pergolas, posts or a gazebo . Almost all hanging lights are 12v, and you can experiment with different wattages for light intensity. Usually a 20w bulb is enough to light up a table from above, and if you place the hanging light higher then you may need a 30w bulb. You will also find different reflectors to create wider beams, or decorative filters that can send the light out in all directions. Choose the light unit carefully if you hang them in trees or on hanging tracks, the features may hide some of the light.

LED garden lights are used to create a very focused beam of light that is small, and because of this they are most used in decking areas to mark the decking outline. The small beam will not spread the light and intrude onto the decking. They have a very long life and low energy consumption, so they are ideal for switching on for hours at a time ,day after day. They only come in primary colors and white, and the blue works well near water features, whilst the white is used for decking or patios. This is only a guideline, and it is up to you what you choose.

Linear garden lighting is mainly used to create an outline of a feature such as a tree or rock formation. The light is housed in a string configuration, much like a strip. This is mostly used at parties or at christmas time for decoration. A good use is to fix them all around a rockery to highlight the edges, or to attach them to a fence and run them around the top. The bulb life is generally quite low, so they are not for long term use unless you upgrade to some xenon lamps which will last for years but are far more expensive. You could also use them for garden path lighting, and place them along the ground on the edge of the path and make a nice strip of light.

Low voltage garden lights have been around for years and are a necessity today. The benefits are plain to see because they are safer. The mains electric is reduced by a transformer to either 12 or 24v, which is safe and will not be fatal. Because the voltage is low you can have flexible cables running through the garden so you can move things around. The higher power cables that run mains electricity are usually fixed as these are more dangerous.

Low energy lights stem from the popular halogen lamps which are still used widely today. They are twice as efficient as normal lamps. To save energy always go for the 12v designs, these do a good job of highlighting any plants and flowers with a nice focused beam. For bigger saving go for LED lights which have a lamp life of over 50000 hours and can also run on a 12v supply.

Recessed lights are used on flat surfaces where you don’t want an upright light that you can trip over. Patios, decking and pathways are the choice for these lights. They also help with mowing the lawn as they will not get in the way. Typically they produce a fixed beam that can light a certain area or feature, but there are adjustable one’s which can throw light onto a wall or tree nearby. The only downsides are that they are more difficult to install, and they can create a lot of heat, so if you have them sunken in the floor be careful not to stand on them with bare feet, or your pet’s feet.

Step lighting is used to light steps and they serve a more practical use. This is for safety first as you need to be able to see each step along the way. They can be recessed into the actual step, or they can be by the side of the steps. Most of them have a shield or canopy to stop the light source from shining directly upwards. The reason is so that people using the steps are not blinded by the direct light. This is much safer and can prevent accidents.

There are a few other kinds of lights such as spreadlights and under water lights which i have covered in previous posts. Remember, there is a great choice of products around and they all serve their own little functions. If you are not sure then ask someone, either at the garden center or online and they should be able to tell you what to go for. Experiment as much as you want until you find the perfect set up for your garden.

However, there is nothing better than viewing these products in the flesh, so a trip to garden center should also be on your list of things to do. There is no delivery charge here so bear that in mind. An online light may be cheaper at first, but when you add the shipping charge it may work out more expensive. You also have to wait for delivery from online shopping.

Spot lighting is one of the most common types used in gardens all round the world. They are quick to set up and you can adjust them very easily to change angle. Some of the latest kinds can change the intensity of the light, which you can use to reflect you mood if you like! Others rotate at differing speeds, and can do the work of many lights on their own. Colored bulbs are popular for changing the mood of the garden, which is good for the changing seasons. In summer you can bathe the garden in purples and blues to shine on the blooming flowers, and in autumn you can change this to more neutral colors.

Wrought iron light housings work well if you have other items of iron, such as railings. The light bulb is contained within a very stylish little house or lantern, and some even have leaded windows that have patterns on them, which will reflect across the lawn or plants and create shapes and shadows. The wrought iron will also weather very nicely, and they are very durable, and should last for many years without hardly any attention.

So back to the different kinds of light you may come across. Bollard lights are mostly used to light driveways and paths. They come in different heights, ranging from very small to over two feet high. The shape is like a small post, and that is what they are. The most common housing units come in aluminium, brass, copper, stainless steel, bronze and hardwood. Dimmer switches can be used to create a soft glow along the path that is inviting and brings calmness. This can work wonders to change your mood as you get home after a stressful day at work. In general, the light in contained in the stick, as opposed to being on top of the stick.

Colored lighting can be used to transform any garden in an instant. Usually the light casing as a colored filter that it used to create the effect. Most spotlights work in this manner, and you can change the filter color for a different color if needed. The typical colors used are red, yellow, green, purple, blue and white. There are other more elaborate colors such as moonlight which produces a cooling effect just like the moonlight. This is achieved by increasing the temperature of the bulb, and is mostly used with halogen lights. Honeycomb filters will spread the light over a wider range, and also split the beam into many unique patterns.

Downlights and wall spotlights are used to point light in one direction. The downlight needs to placed up high and pointed downwards. Popular places are on walls, beams and on posts. The spot lights can be adjusted at different angles to point at a patio or a certain feature you want illuminated. Downlights can also be placed in tree branches and have a hook that fits over the branches. If you use these then be careful not too put them in too deep or the branches and leaves may stop the light shining through. Adding frosted filters can help spread the beam all over the branches and gives an extra sparkle.

Floodlights are generally used for security and just lighting up an area. They are usually on a sensor that comes on when you trigger it. You can also just have it connected to the wall socket and switch it on when you are about to go outside. Fitting a timer is also a useful idea for security when your not home and may deter any unwanted people because they are highly visible in your garden. The lamps are very powerful and do use a lot of electricity. Halogen is the most popular kind of bulb for these outdoor lights. The beam is not very focused, and will spread out all over the place, which is the intended result.

Ok this post has gone on quite a bit, and there are many other lights to get through so i think i will make another post and continue this on the next post.

A good example is using one feature to bring out another. Using a spot light pointing upwards can highlight a row of flowers or plants, whilst also lighting a tree behind. You can position the lights at many angles to achieve this result, and it is best done during the day first as you can clearly see the important parts of your garden.

Adding outdoor lighting along paths and walkways can help to extenuate the edges of the path, but also illuminate any flowers that are planted next to them. Some plants do not like constant light at night, so be sure to check you don’t unknowingly damage any plants. If this is the case then point the light in another direction away from the leaves. Getting it just right can add some stylish garden decor to your back yard.

Placing lights next to water is also a great way to make them come to life. If you have a garden pond you can buy underwater lights that will shine from below and cast a faint aura on the rst of the garden. Moving water such a small waterfall or water running through a rock arrangement can be utilized to your advantage. Aiming the beam at thw water will create reflections that can light up the things nearby. Investing in color lighting can make the water appear in any color you can think of, and the changing color lights are an even better option. This will cascade the colors all around the garden and it is great to just sit down and watch the show.

Putting lighting inbetween rocks and stones will make it look like they are part of the scenery, and there are hundreds of mock rock lights that contain the fixtures inside to conceal them. Some solar lights have this designing, and they are a very simple solution for lighting rockery. They also look natural during the day which is an added bonus.

Decking lighting can help to complete the look, and create an almost fairytale ambience. Lights can be placed on the decking posts and rails for maximum exposure at an elevated position. For a very classical look you can build them into the wood of the decking, and this helps to protect them as well. The look is very unique and seemless, and is a favourite with many homeowners. The light can bring out the quality and shape of the wood, as well as different textures. They take a little more owrk to fit tem and install but the finished result is one of te best around, and will really set your garden apart from the rest.

You can hang lights from branches in trees, or on top of posts and fences. Thee are a popular place for parties, to add a bit more sparkle. Using a bit of natural height can help to expose more of your garden, and it also helps with security. This way you can bring the illusion of extra height by aiming the beam at other branches. To add some more depth you can arrange the garden lights all around the extremes of the yard. This will show the full size, which may not be visible in the dark.

Be careful not to create too much glare when placing outdoor lights, think carefully what you are going to expose. You may have a dirty old shed somewhere in the corner which you don’t want to epxose at night, so think about the beam direction and where it is going to. If you have some lights at the bottom of the yard them make sure they are not pointing directly back at the patio or decking where you are going to be spending most of your time. This will create an unwanted glare in your eyes, which will stop you from being able to see the rest of the garden in comfort.

Think about sunken lights not pointing directy upwards. This is hard to do, but try to put them at the edges so the beam is not going to be in your eyes. This can happen with decking or patio lights which are centrally placed. It can be very off putting with a light shining in your eyes all the time.

The only way to get the right placement is to experiment. You may not like what you have done the first time round, which is almost always the case. The good thing is that most garden lights are very easy to move about and install, they are lightweight and very durable, so puting them in all kins of unique places is not generally a problem. The only time you may struggle is if you have fitted the power cables to decking or wood. This is usual to hide these cables during the day, and to avoid tripping over them. In this case it is better to leave the final installation until after you have seen them in action at night. When your happy, then this is the time for the complete install.

As for the decking, well you can have recessed lights that fit into the decking and shine through. This gives a very professional look and is very popular. Alternatively you can buy standard deck lights that sit at various positions on the decking, such as at the corners or elevated a little bit to fit on the rails if you have them. Post lights can be fitted on top of the decking posts, which also helps to light the edges of the feature for added safety.

Garden lighting design has come a long way and the choice is unlimited as to what you can do. Being creative puts your own personality on your garden, and there are many styles to help you achieve this. There are focal designs that can sit in the center of the decking and spread the light outwards to all the corners, or there are spot lights can you can change the position of to create shadows and unexpected features.

If you choose the sunken or recesssed lights then it is wise to ut them around the edges of the decking. It can be a problem if the light is shining straight at you from below, so most people use them at the sides and edges. Depending on the color of the wood in your decking, you can but a light to match this. These can simply be placed on the top of the post, and they look like they were built just for this. They blend in well with most designs. Decorative materials such as copper and brass go well with wood, so this could be an option as well.

Installation is pretty straightforward as the video shows, but if you don’t want to use a power supply then there are solar deck lights that will do just as well, and will save you money. They are also kinder to the environment which is a big plus point these days. Timer switches can be used to save electric as well, and you can choose when they come on and go off. If your decking is slightly raised then you can fit the lights below for easier installation and have them pointing upwards through any gaps in the base. This also helps to hide any wires you may have.

The garden lighting fixtures you choose should complement the garden features, and using different shaped lights can help with this. Post lights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from flat toppped to pointed, and you can choose a different style to match the design of your decking arrangement, be it in wood or other materials. Because wood is easy to work with, you can buy custom made designs that will house the lights. Specialist craftsman are the best people to see about this, and it can add real character to your garden, with truly unique designs. Match them with other garden ornaments and stone features and you will have a memorable place to be at night.

First of all you need to decide what kind of lights you are going to install. The most popular are the solar lights because they are low maintenance and are very simple to install, you just place them in the ground. LED garden lighting is a bit more expensive and you will need either some low voltage cables or a DC power supply, transformer or a remote junction box which can feed multiple lights. All these different installation methods do the same job, which is to supply the power for the lights. If you shop online then the store will be able to tell you which method is best for your requirements. You need to get this right if you want the lights to work and be safe to use.

LED garden lighting can be very effective because they can change color if you want this, or even be installed under water. If you have a garden pond then this is a great way to bring it to life at night time, the color radiates through the water and cascades over the garden for a very original look. The LED lights are often low voltage, and are more energy efficient than the halogen designs, so you could save on electricity by using them.

You can buy lights that are built into fake rocks or stones, that blend in seamlessly with the other garden features, such as your rockery. You can point them at your plants or trees to highlight them in the dark and show their best features. Because you can move them around you can change things up from week to week to give different perspectives on your garden.

There are many other kinds of decorative lights such as lanterns and bar lamps that you can use in combination and spread them all around the garden. The bar lamps look good along the driveway or the path. Not only do they look good they also serve the purpose of helping you find your way in the dark so you don’t trip up or fall. It can be a very nice feeling if you are driving up to your house and can see these lights illuminating your driveway, it gives a nice homely feel to your house.

Rotating lights can also add some extra decoration, and these are becoming more common. You can set them up to point all over the garden and adjust the speed at which they turn. Try to make them go very slowly as you don’t want a disco effect! They can be a good way of serving the purpose of a few lights, so you can save money in the process.

Spot lights are another option, and you will find numerous styles and designs to choose from. Brass is very popular and these spots can be set in between rocks or gravel and pointed at plants and flowers. You can change the angles and the the power, so you can control the intensity if needed. This is a good way to soften the light, which in turn reflects differently on the garden.

Other materials can be found including aluminium, copper, pvc and plastic fixtures. Remember that these are going to get weathered all year round so you certainly want them to last. Cheap garden lights may look the part, but you will most likely find that after a few months they are looking worn, and may not function correctly. You are better off buying quality products, because you generally get what you pay for. The casing on some of the cheaper designs is suspect, and rain can get into the housing and cause havoc with the electrics. This can also be very dangerous, especially if you have kids around the garden.

Exterior garden lighting is big business these days. Millions of people have them and want to enhance their gardens with them. If used properly they are a wonderful addition that gives so much pleasure and satisfaction all year round. The flowers and plants can come to life in an instant, and this is what makes them so popular.

There are four kinds of outside garden lighting on the market at present, which are solar, electric, gas, and non powered which includes candle lights. All have their own functions and practical benefits. Solar lights are probably the most popular because they are easy to maintain and there is no trouble in setting them up, it is just a case of placing them in position throughout your garden. They work off the power of the sun, and will come to life when the sun goes down and it starts getting dark. Eventually the stored energy will run out and the light will begin to get dimmer until it goes out completely. Solar lights will last a good few hours under their stored power, and different colors can add some really effective results and increase the ambience of your garden.

Electric lights are obviously powered by electricity and these are a more permanent set up. Most driveway lighting is electric as you need the light to guide you when it gets dark and not suddenly go out. Other uses can be motion sensor lights that come on when you trigger them by walking underneath. These lights serve a purpose throughout the year and are much more robust and reliable than the others. Electric lights can also be used to illuminate pathways and important parts of the garden.

The downside of electric lighting is that you will need cables to extend out to the light. With some clever positioning you can hide these cables under rocks and shrubs or other plants in your garden. A good solution is to get these on timers. so they come on at a set time. which you can adjust as the year goes on and the sun goes down earlier. With the cables you need to watch out when you are mowing the lawn or cutting anything, you don’t want to accidently cut through a power cable and electrocute yourself!

Gas lights are great for temporary solutions and are most used for garden parties or if you occasionally sit outside. Most of these lights involve filling up the cannister with gas and away you go. Because the fuel will run out they are not designed for permanent or frequent use, unless you enjoy filling them up all the time! Always be careful when you are lighting them with a naked flame, and be cautious where you place them. The flame can easily set fire to anything close, and in a garden there are many things that are flammable. Keep the light upright and make sure it is secure on a stable platform. Don’t rest it against something that might move or cause the light to topple over.

The final kinds of outdoor garden lighting are the non powered types such as candles and lanterns. These are very similar to the gas lights in that they are usually used infrequently for parties and when friends and guests come to visit. The same safety precautions should be followed because you will have a naked flame. Be very vigilant if it is windy because the flame can go out more easily, and also the lantern can be blown over. A good tip is to buy a support pole that the lantern can hook onto, this will make it far more secure. Try to avoid placing them in a tree, or a on a branch, this is asking for trouble.

Using any of these kinds of lights will ensure you have a very nice effect. They all have their strengths and weaknessses, but in the end they all perform the same fucnction. Outdoor garden lights are simple and effective, and if you use them the right way you can get many hours of happiness for little money.