Planning outdoor lighting is essential. And not just because you want to sit comfortably on the terrace in the evening. Light conveys a feeling of security, emphasizes highlights and is functional. Last but not least, light also increases safety. By installing suitable lights, we can see the way to the front door, illuminate stairs and edges in the yard and thus avoid tripping hazards. Garden lighting also influences the mood outside and of course affects the appearance of the entire house. You can find out in detail in this article which aspects are particularly important when planning outdoor lighting.
Garden lighting must be weatherproof
Outdoor lighting must be weatherproof. This may seem obvious at first glance, but it is essential because security should be the priority. In contrast to other types of lamps, outdoor lights should be protected from the ingress of moisture, dust and dirt. Waterproof lights carry the markingIP44, IP54, IP65, IP67. The numbers indicate the protection class. The IP65 and IP67 lights, which can easily withstand wind and weather, are ideal for the garden area (spotlights on the ground). For wall lights on terraces, the protection class can also be IP44. IP54, on the other hand, stands for limited dust protection and splash protection.
In order to avoid short circuits or the like, the lights must also be installed properly. If you are unsure whether your knowledge is sufficient for installation, you should contact a professional.
12 volt or 230 volt garden lighting?
Outdoor lighting is offered in two versions with 12 volts or 230 volts. Low-voltage lighting based on 12 volts is sufficient to illuminate a garden tastefully. In contrast to 230-volt systems, low-voltage cables can be laid directly under the pavement or under a thin layer of earth. This saves a lot of excavation work! In addition, 12-volt lighting is absolutely safe and even harmless if damaged.
To install 12-volt garden lighting, we recommend the following:
- Choose your lighting.
- For the operation of 12V LED lamps is aTransformernecessary. You can simply add up the consumption of all lamps to find out which transformer you need. For example, if the power consumption is 45 watts, you need a 60 watt transformer. It is recommended to choose a transformer that is approximately 30 - 40 percent larger than the total power consumption of the connected lamps.
- Each lamp is then fitted with a screw connectionMain cable connected. Determine how many extension cables and cable distributors you need. Make sure that for a transformer with a low power, for example 60 W, the cables with the type designation SPT-1W are sufficient. With a power of 150 and 300W, cable types SPT-3 must be used.
- You can connect your 12 volt lighting with a cable connectorAdjust conveniently at any time.
The most sustainable and energy saving option
Halogen lamps are being used less and less and in a few years gardens will be illuminated exclusively by LEDs. The abbreviation LED stands for the term “light emitting diode”. The LED garden lights are significantly more efficient than conventional light sources and have low energy consumption. They also have an extremely long service life, 25,000 to over 100,000 lighting hours. LEDs also produce less heat than incandescent bulbs and do not attract insects as much.
Lumens instead of watts?
In the case of light bulbs, the wattage provided information about the brightness of the lamp. With LEDs, energy-saving lamps, etc., you can estimate how bright the lamp is based on the lumens. A 60 watt light bulb, for example, lights up with around 700 lumens. Of course, it is not possible to say in general terms what brightness is appropriate for outdoor lighting. To optimally illuminate the kitchen, bathroom and study, you should plan on around 280 lumens per square meter, for example. Depending on the size of the garden, several thousand lumens may be required.
Warm or cold light
Another important aspect to consider when choosing garden lighting is color temperature. While warm white light is chosen in living rooms, neutral white and daylight white light have proven to be effective outdoors. The color temperature is measured in Kelvin. The upper limit for warm white light is 3,300 Kelvin. Higher values come very close to daylight when the sky is bright. For example, the morning or evening sun has a temperature of 5,000 Kelvin. In this case, a color temperature between 4000 and 8000 Kelvin would be optimal for garden lighting.
Tipp:Please note, however, that it would be better if all lights had the same or at least a similar color temperature. This makes the overall impression much more harmonious. When purchasing the garden lights, simply look at the color temperature information on the LED packaging.
Solar garden lights
Solar garden lights have become increasingly popular in recent years because they do not require electricity to operate. During the day it transformsSolar cell solar energy into electrical powerand stores it in the rechargeable battery. When dusk begins, the lamp switches on automatically. LED bulbs are usually installed in today's modern solar lights. They require very little power (between 0.1 and max. 5 watts) and have an extremely long lifespan.
How long the solar light burns depends on the exhibition location and the incidence of sunlight. A position with would be idealdirect sunlight. If the lamp is in the shade, the battery cannot charge properly. The light source and the quality of the battery are also of essential importance.
Most solar lamps have oneLight durationof a maximum of 12 hours. Theoretically, some models can glow for up to 50 hours. The decisive factor here is the performance of the solar cell and the rechargeable battery.
The majority of today'sSolar cellsconsists of silicon dioxide, which is processed into monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous silicon. The differences lie in the respective efficiency.
The workmanship and quality of theBatteriesare constantly being developed further. Lithium-ion batteries are being used more and more frequently. They offer higher output power than cheaper models such as nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries. In cheaper models the batteries are permanently installed, in more expensive models replaceable batteries are used.
Those tooInstallation of solar lightsis very simple. There is no laying of electricity, no tangled cables and no preparatory work. And you can choose the location completely freely. However, solar-powered lamps cannot be used to illuminate larger areas because they have a relatively low luminosity. That's why they are particularly suitable as accent, path or marker lights. They also create wonderfully stylish lighting accents in flower pots. But if you want to completely illuminate your garden, you should choose powerful network lights.
Choice of lighting depending on purpose
To optimally illuminate your garden, you need to combine functional and decorative lights. Think carefully about which areas should be lit. Then you can decide which type of lamp would fit best there. In addition to your personal preferences, you also take into account other aspects that can influence the selection of lamps. For example, inconspicuous ground lights in the area of driveways and access roads can often be covered by snow and ice in winter. If you want to avoid this, 30 or 60 cm high bollard lights would be a better solution for you.
Depending on the application, a basic distinction is made between the following types of lighting:
Functional garden lighting: This type of landscape lighting serves a practical purpose and is used wherever functional light is required. Basic lighting enables light to be seen and represents a combination of direct and indirect lighting. Functional lighting focuses on safety and technology. Automatically switched light is very practical, safe and energy-saving. Lights with a motion detector are perfect for house entrances, driveways and sidewalks.
Orientation lighting:By creating light points and lines, orientation in the garden is improved. This includes sidewalk lighting so that everyone gets to their desired destination safely. Stairs, restricted areas, entrances and architectural lines are also marked with orientation lights.
Accent lighting:This lighting attracts attention and brings objects visually into the foreground. The directed light emphasizes structures and surfaces. Spotlights, recessed floor spotlights, uplight and downlight directional spotlights are usually used for this purpose.
Decorative lightingcreates a festive atmosphere and ensures coziness. To achieve beautiful lighting effects, you can use fairy lights and LED strips.
Architectural lighting:This lighting emphasizes architectural shapes such as house facades, columns, etc.
LED garden lights in numerous designs
The wide variety of outdoor lights makes it possible to find the perfect model depending on the intended purpose. But the selection is so large that you almost lose track. However, we have tried to summarize the most important types of outdoor lights.
DieBollard lightis an outdoor light in the shape of a small pillar. The light source is between half a meter and one and a half meters.Bollard lights ensure good orientationon sidewalks, in the driveway or around steps and stairs. So that the path can be clearly seen, the bollard light is rarely used alone, but is usually placed in a row with several. When installing, you should pay attention to the correct distance. In general, the lower the light point, the closer the bollard lights must be placed.
DiePedestal lightis lower than the bollard light, otherwise it has the same properties and serves the same purpose.
spotlighthave rotatable or swiveling lamp heads and enable the light to be individually aligned. This can be used to specifically showcase objects in the garden such as statues, figures, fountains, bushes or plants. They are also ideal for illuminating buildings, house facades and garden sheds.
Outdoor wall lightsare real all-rounders. They are usually mounted in or on the house wall. Recessed lights are often used as stair lighting and safely show residents and guests the way. Decorative exterior wall lights that cast their light up and down create great accents on house facades.
Underwater lightingsets the scene for your idyllic garden pond or swimming pool. The underwater spotlights are attached to the bottom of the pond or pool and illuminate the water from below. So you can enjoy the wonderful interplay of light and water.
They are particularly popular for contemporary gardensBall lights. They serve more of a decorative purpose and create exciting effects with light and shadow. It looks best when the spherical floor lamps are arranged in small groups. The light source is usually made of opaque acrylic glass or polyethylene, which is why these lights provide diffuse light.
For illuminating details in the garden from belowUplights, spotlights or floodlightsused. Upright floodlights under a tree, for example, emphasize the tree crown and trunk as a linear element. An elegant sculpture can also be staged in a stage-worthy manner using uplights.
LED stripsimpress with effective lighting accents, various mounting options, a long lighting duration and low power consumption. The LED strips are offered by the meter on rolls or as a variant with solid aluminum rails.
Recessed floor lightsare mostly used to mark paths but can also highlight wooden terraces particularly beautifully. The so-called floor spots can also be easily installed on steps. However, too strong light emerging directly upwards can cause glare.
With weatherproofFloor lamps for outsidetransform yoursTerrace into your cozy outdoor living room. Many renowned manufacturers such as Artemide, Foscarini and Luceplan also offer some of their most famous floor lamp models in an outdoor version. Just make sure you have the right IP protection class. Most outdoor floor lamps can be set up anywhere there is electricity and add a lot of atmosphere and coziness.
For covered areas in the garden such as a pergola, an outdoor kitchen or a pavilionCeiling lights and pendant lampsthe ideal solution. They look good above the dining table outside and create a homely atmosphere. For this area you can opt for bright warm white light (3000 Kelvin). Modern pendant lights also look very good in daylight.
Among the most importantDecision criteria for garden lightsThis includes: intended use, power supply, IP protection class, brightness and light color. The design should of course also fit the style of the house.
Garden lighting should best be included in the planning of upcoming construction work right from the start. First, create a sketch of your garden and think about what you want to illuminate and what purpose the lighting should serve. When it comes to garden lighting, there are hardly any limits to your imagination!
