Lighting your garden isn’t just about visibility. When done correctly it’s an art form that plays with shadow, perspective, texture, colour and structure. It also helps to make your garden an extension of your home, even during winter. Here are 5 techniques for lighting your garden that move beyond simple functionality in order to turn your garden into a work of art.
1. Subtlety
Subtle placement of lights throughout your garden is what creates beautiful ambient lighting, which is useful for highlighting key areas such as water features, archways, and special plants. A good way to begin your lighting design is to look at your garden during the daytime and observe where the natural shadows fall, then place your lights in a way that either emulates or illuminates. Avoid creating straight lines, lining garden paths or placing lights on their own. Instead wrap fairy lights around trees and tuck bollards into garden beds.
2. Silhouettes
Nature creates many beautiful and incredible shapes that may not be as noticeable during the day, but can be highlighted at night to pick out delicate features or create dramatic scenes. One way to do this is by placing lights down low to reflect upwards, adding depth and texture and playing with the perspective of the space. Spike lights placed at the foot of trees or amongst garden beds work well for this.
3. Shadows
Shadows add depth to your garden, which is especially useful in smaller spaces. By placing lights up high to shine through foliage, you create dappled shadows that look natural and interesting. Another way is cluster lighting, where you highlight a cluster of plants or trees instead of spotlighting just one, creating soft light with shadows behind. The pockets of light draw the eye, making the shadows seem deeper and darker than they would otherwise.
4. Spacing
Spacing is important when it comes to lighting. Too many lights make the area uncomfortably bright, whereas too few make it too dark. When placing lights, mixing and matching both the type and the placement is a great way to ensure an even spread. A mixture of bollards, spike, step, string, path and wall lights up high, down low and in between will make your lighting feel more natural and help in drawing the eye to the features you want showcased. By having a little of each, the lighting will be more effective and blend together to create a cohesive space.
5. Stamp
Using light as an art form means that it can be a feature of the garden itself, not just something used to show off the rest. Don’t be afraid to include your personality, adding fun and whimsical lights, brightly coloured lanterns or even coloured lights for a modern twist. Your garden is your space, and should reflect who you are most of all.
At Iconic Outdoors, we are garden specialists, and our extensive knowledge of landscaping design means that if you need help with your lighting this winter, then we’re the people to call. Contact us on 6360 1001 for a consultation on how to make your garden a work of art!
If you think it’s time to warm up your garden, contact us at Iconic Outdoors on (02) 6360 1001 to talk to our experts. We can help you design the perfect space to spend your winter!
Need some more inspiration?
Our tips & advice answer some frequently asked questions and we’re here to help you get started whenever you’re ready.