Classic lighting design is about identifying and blending four core lighting groups: ambient, accent, decorative and task lighting. And when it comes to the outdoor lighting very much the same principles to create successful interior lighting apply; but before we examine these further, there are a few key differences to take note of.
First there is a small matter of size. Interior spaces are constrained by walls and ceilings and are really rather diminutive compared to even a small garden. Outside there is no height restriction and at night especially there is no clear boundary either.
This presents a number of problems and benefits where garden lighting design is concerned. Indoors, much of the light gets reflected from the ceiling and walls which simply increases the level of ambient light in the room. Outdoors however, light simply vanishes into space which creates a strong contrast with nearby areas and causes them to appear even more dark.
This lack of reflected ambient light means that many common indoor lighting techniques won't work in the garden; but it also means that you can use this darkness to create interesting effects and in extreme cases design a night time garden that apparently bears no relationship to the daylight version by emphasising certain features and concealing others.
There is also the question of how you use your outdoor spaces. Traditionally, garden designers have espoused the concept of viewing the garden as simply another room (or suite of rooms) in your home, and this idea spills over into lighting.
You almost certainly employ different lighting arrangements for various rooms based on their intended use, so bedroom lighting would be quite distinct from kitchen lighting for example. So if you planned on using your deck as a place to entertain then it would be prudent to install lighting suitable for that purpose. Likewise, you would (presumably) use quite different lighting for a pathway or to illuminate say a water feature - different purpose.
Which brings us then to the four main lighting types and their application outdoors.
Whereas ambient light is used indoors as a foundation for the other lighting types, outside it is difficult to use it this way due to the lack of reflective surfaces and so ambient light tends to be deployed as a lighting form in its own right. Ambient light in a garden is often used simply to create a pleasant indistinct background glow and solar powered garden lights are ideal for this application.
Accent lighting on the other hand is all about highlighting key features and picking out detail and color. It is used to lead the eye around the garden and commonly relies on spot lights and these days LED lights.
Decorative lighting performs a similar function in that it is intended to look attractive and catch the eye, with the difference that the light fitting itself is the focal point. Once again LED garden lights are now used quite heavily for decorative effects.
Task lighting outdoors is obviously not so much about light suitable for reading and doing things as providing ample light for people to get about safely. This encompasses the ubiquitous LED deck lights, pathway lights and lighting around entertainment zones so folk can see what they're easting and drinking (roughly).
As with interior lighting design, the key to success with garden lighting is to blend all four types all lighting, preferably also with the option to switch task lighting on and off independently. If you rely solely on ambient light your garden will appear amorphous and slightly gloomy; conversely all accent lighting will make it look over dramatic and a bit harsh, and if only decorative lights are used the effect is likely be appear uncoordinated and somewhat chintzy.
The easiest way to guarantee a suitable blend of outdoor lighting types is to purchase assorted types of light fitting. For example a variety of spot lights with differing beam angles and intensities plus a range of lanterns and bollards. Add some coloured lights to the mix and be sure to install both low voltage mains as well as solar powered lights. These days the best examples of both in fact use LED lights and they work very well together.
First there is a small matter of size. Interior spaces are constrained by walls and ceilings and are really rather diminutive compared to even a small garden. Outside there is no height restriction and at night especially there is no clear boundary either.
This presents a number of problems and benefits where garden lighting design is concerned. Indoors, much of the light gets reflected from the ceiling and walls which simply increases the level of ambient light in the room. Outdoors however, light simply vanishes into space which creates a strong contrast with nearby areas and causes them to appear even more dark.
This lack of reflected ambient light means that many common indoor lighting techniques won't work in the garden; but it also means that you can use this darkness to create interesting effects and in extreme cases design a night time garden that apparently bears no relationship to the daylight version by emphasising certain features and concealing others.
There is also the question of how you use your outdoor spaces. Traditionally, garden designers have espoused the concept of viewing the garden as simply another room (or suite of rooms) in your home, and this idea spills over into lighting.
You almost certainly employ different lighting arrangements for various rooms based on their intended use, so bedroom lighting would be quite distinct from kitchen lighting for example. So if you planned on using your deck as a place to entertain then it would be prudent to install lighting suitable for that purpose. Likewise, you would (presumably) use quite different lighting for a pathway or to illuminate say a water feature - different purpose.
Which brings us then to the four main lighting types and their application outdoors.
Whereas ambient light is used indoors as a foundation for the other lighting types, outside it is difficult to use it this way due to the lack of reflective surfaces and so ambient light tends to be deployed as a lighting form in its own right. Ambient light in a garden is often used simply to create a pleasant indistinct background glow and solar powered garden lights are ideal for this application.
Accent lighting on the other hand is all about highlighting key features and picking out detail and color. It is used to lead the eye around the garden and commonly relies on spot lights and these days LED lights.
Decorative lighting performs a similar function in that it is intended to look attractive and catch the eye, with the difference that the light fitting itself is the focal point. Once again LED garden lights are now used quite heavily for decorative effects.
Task lighting outdoors is obviously not so much about light suitable for reading and doing things as providing ample light for people to get about safely. This encompasses the ubiquitous LED deck lights, pathway lights and lighting around entertainment zones so folk can see what they're easting and drinking (roughly).
As with interior lighting design, the key to success with garden lighting is to blend all four types all lighting, preferably also with the option to switch task lighting on and off independently. If you rely solely on ambient light your garden will appear amorphous and slightly gloomy; conversely all accent lighting will make it look over dramatic and a bit harsh, and if only decorative lights are used the effect is likely be appear uncoordinated and somewhat chintzy.
The easiest way to guarantee a suitable blend of outdoor lighting types is to purchase assorted types of light fitting. For example a variety of spot lights with differing beam angles and intensities plus a range of lanterns and bollards. Add some coloured lights to the mix and be sure to install both low voltage mains as well as solar powered lights. These days the best examples of both in fact use LED lights and they work very well together.
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If you found this article interesting you'll want to read more about garden lights in general and outdoor LED lights in particular.
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