Garden lighting has a number of functions. Firstly it increases the safety and security around your home allowing visitors to walk safely to your front door after dark and guiding you around your plot or up any steps at night. It also acts as a deterrent to unwanted visitors as burglars tend to avoid well lit properties where they can be observed. 

Secondly effective garden lighting can extend your living space outdoors after dark. Sitting on the patio as the sun goes down on a summer evening with a glass of wine in hand, what could be better? And, even if it is too cold to sit outside, you can still enjoy your illuminated garden from inside your home. Finally garden lighting can add a touch of drama to your night time garden, completely changing the atmosphere by the use of light and shadows to create magical 3D effects. 

The most effective garden lighting schemes combine all these aspects.

Here are OUR TOP TIPS for creating good garden lighting

• Don’t overdo it! You are not aiming for Blackpool illuminations or an airport runway. Plan your scheme carefully and don’t be tempted to use too many different lighting effects or styles.
• Very bright garden lighting can be garish and we would recommend keeping the more powerful floodlights and bulk head lighting for security and commercial applications.
• Identify the different areas of your garden and how you wish to use them. Properly done, garden lighting can transform your outdoor space creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• There are lots of ideas and inspiration around in our towns and cities. Look at the way in which buildings and other features are illuminated at night and take these ideas home with you.
• Backlighting can be most effective. When the back of your garden is lit, the best features of your garden will dominate the scene to create a 3D effect. Lighting trees and other features in the background, from behind, will create silhouettes in the foreground. Up lighting a hedge behind a tree or shrub will have the same effect.
• Lighting Trees.  Large trees are always great lit up. If you have a large tree in the middle of the lawn consider recessing up-lights or using spike lights in the ground beneath the tree, and then using 2 or 3 more lights in the tree itself to highlight the canopy and illuminate the branches and different  textures. Thread fairy lights through the branches of a tree to mimic stars.
• Seating and dining areas are best lit using down lights, as using bright up-lighting will dazzle and reduce the overall effect you want to achieve. Hang a series of outdoor pendant lights in nearby trees to create a contemporary look.
• Lighting lawns can be tricky and they are probably best left in darkness to provide depth and as a frame for other surrounding illuminated areas.
• Steps should always be illuminated to prevent accidents. This can be done by recessing spotlights into the walls by the steps or by using spike lights or solar lights in the ground beside the steps.
• Decking. Outdoor low energy LED spotlights set into decking areas are simple but effective. Some well-placed garden pots beside some of the spotlights can create some interesting light and shadow effects.
• Highlight a special feature or plant by training a spotlight onto it.
• Position lights to “up graze” the façade of your house or fix them high up and focus the beams of light down the wall.
• Lighting water features. Underwater lighting is most effective when the water is clear and the lights can be used to illuminate a fountain or other feature. Consider illuminating a feature or plant close to water to create a mirrored image on the surface of the water.
• Use strings of white or coloured lights in different shapes for a fun look for parties. These are relatively cheap to buy and can be moved around as you wish.
• Solar lighting. An alternative to using electricity. These are low in intensity and give off a soft glow. They are cheap to buy and safe. Stainless steel solar spike lights can be used to provide light by a path or around a terrace.
• Be aware of the effects of garden lighting on wildlife and the environment.  Many animals become disorientated by artificial lighting and you can lessen the impact by aiming lights carefully and turning them off when not in use. The use of hoods over lights to direct the light downwards will reduce light pollution.
• Use low energy and LED lights where possible.
• Consider having sensor powered lights that come on when anyone approaches. Using timers or remote controls will allow you to control your outside lighting.
• Use the best quality outdoor lighting that you can afford. It will offer you more options and last longer than some of the cheaper fittings. And remember you will need a registered electrician for all mains garden installations.
• Ask experts for advise if you have commercial lighting requirements, if your in a ‘Dark Sky’ area ‘national parks’ or have bats. Experts such as The Lighting Company will be able to offer advice via email.

See our top selling Outdoor Lighting ranges here: https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/outdoor-lights-c27#sort9

Visit our website for lots of outdoor lighting: www.lightingcompany.co.uk

Lighting for Hotels and the hospitality sectors.

Bedside lights for hotels.

Fixing lights to the wall is often better than using a free standing bedside table lamp. The key thing here is to leave space on the bedside cabinets, for the paraphernalia needed during the night. When you’re younger you may just have a mobile phone, I know many will think what else do you need! Let me explain what else may be required as you get older- a book maybe, well that will mean you'll need glasses no doubt. Oh a glass of water, pills and potions. From a hoteliers point of view mounting lights on the wall limits damage too, no risk of toppling over a lamp if it's secured to the wall.

Space is gained from on the bedside cabinets when lights are mounted on the bed head wall good leaving space for the guests use. The guest experience should be paramount. Often hotel bedroom bedside lights are dual switched, so you can have a soft ambient light for snuggling up, romance or watching TV. While a smaller moveable light can be used as a reading light. Often the smaller reading light is LED which is cool to the touch.

LED lighting not only saves money on the running costs but it avoids the risks of burning your hands on a hot bulb when you are feeling sleepy. 

Boutique hotels may prefer a clever twist and have hanging pendant lights, this is a visual treat but not as practical as bedside wall lights. When wall lights remain fixed, you are less likely to bash them, but pendants are a good alternative, if this option is used opt for metal or acrylic pendants.

Babies Room….Every parent wants the very best for their new baby. Their world should be filled with colourful fun things to stimulate them. A colourful light can act much as a mobile does by attracting and entertaining the child. The Lighting Company has a super range of children’s lights to choose from. Top tip – choose a light that looks toy like for the ceiling and make it part of the bedtime routine. Saying “nighty nighty to Mr. Light” can help the very young if they know that the light also goes to sleep. Many of the children’s lights to buy from The Lighting Company have names. ‘Ruby’ is a lovely little caterpillar light or how about ‘Drakey’ who is a fun loving little dragon. Some parents prefer to have a dim light so they can peep in and check on their baby during the night. Also some children want, or need, the security of a dim light. If this is the case fit a dimmer switch on the wall and dim the light down low when it’s time for sleep. Alternatively invest in a small dimly lit lamp. Please take great care that it isn’t positioned near the cot or bed as any trailing cables can be dangerous.The latest introduction to the range are this fabulous innovative kids lights. https://www.lightingcompany.co.uk/table-floor-lamps-c5/childrens-table-lamps-c52

Room to Grow…….You may prefer to have a lighting scheme that is suitable for both younger and older children. The basics of this type of lighting is getting a core scheme that is suitable for small children and will still appeal to the older child – we call it giving them ‘room to grow’. Lighting for a child’s room isn’t too difficult when you think about it. We all want a light that can be switched on as you walk into the room and this will generally be a centre light. We want a good reading light and some mood lighting for relaxing. The key is to opt for sensible ceiling lights which can either be fun coloured spotlights or a brightly coloured shade. Both of these types of light will be colourful enough for the young and can work well with the ‘Barbie’ bedding’ or the boutique hotel bedroom or alternatively ‘Bob the Builder’ or Body Builder! We recommend fun and functional but not too tied to an age group.

Team the ceiling light with a bedside wall light in a matching style ensuring that it is cool to the touch. If you can have a wall light that switches on and off from the fitting, it will give you the opportunity to reduce the light level if needed. It may also a good idea if this type of light can be mounted on the wall above a desk or table to be used as a study light when the child gets a little older.A fabulous range of exciting Funky Lights in bright vibrant colours aptly called Funk is an ideal choice. With the ‘Funk’ range you can mix and match have blue cable and zesty yellow shade if you like. Shades are available in Yellow, Blue, Red, Green, Purple, Turquoise, Gloss White, and even a clear. The Coloured Cord too has a huge choice of colours. Look for yourself so many Funky Lights at The Lighting Company. Any free standing table lamps should be out of reach of toddlers. Lighting a child room or play room consider how hot light bulbs can be, when ever possible choose lights that are cooler to the touch. Some of the coolest bulbs on the market are also the most energy saving too. LED bulbs and fluorescent are both energy saving and cooler to the touch. Most parents and Guardians with older children to care for will agree, kids just don’t think about switching lights off. Low energy could save you money as your child grows. Grandparents often wish to be involved too! At The Lighting Company we have noticed a growing trend for Nanny & Gramps buying babies first light. Why not, there really wasn’t this type of cute lighting when they had their babies.

Lighting Artwork.

Perfect Picture Lighting.

Although most people will have seen paintings lit in art galleries and stately homes, they never think of lighting their own pictures at home. There is little point in having a picture or painting that you cannot see and by adding suitable lighting will bring out the detail, colour and beauty of your artwork. The first consideration is to decide what pictures and where to position them. Choose pictures and art work that complement your room – vibrant coloured art work adds excitement whilst more neutral watercolours and paintings are more calming. One large painting can make a real statement but a group of pictures or collection of framed family photos is more homely.Consider the furniture and other objects in the room when deciding where to position your pictures as you will need to maintain a sense of balance

within the room. It helps if you can get someone to hold your pictures in several places so you can decide what looks best. Most people hang pictures too high– as a general rule aim for the centre/focus of the picture to be at eye level. Yes, I know this will vary depending on your height, but if you aim for about 60-65” from floor level this should be about right.

The next thing to consider is how much light (including natural daylight) you already have in the room. Artwork needs to be protected from light damage and by far the most damage comes from daylight, but you will also need to protect your artwork from damage that can be caused from artificial light. Try to position your picture out of direct sunlight and limit the amount of time you light it artificially Fluorescent bulbs have an excess of UV light which fades colour quicker so this type of picture lighting is probably best avoided if you have a valuable painting. Watercolours need a lower level of illumination whilst modern acrylic artwork will need lots of bright light. The light level can often be adjusted by changing the wattage of the bulbs used. If your picture or painting is behind glass you could be bothered by glare. Experiment a bit and try lighting from different angles to reduce the glare. If it is still a problem, you could consider replacing the glass with a non-reflective glass– check carefully before you do this though as it could make your picture look slightly fuzzy. When lighting pictures you should aim for an even spread of light across the whole surface. This can best be achieved by using a purpose made picture light positioned directly above your picture to offer illumination without obstruction. If you are fitting out a room for the first time or revamping and old room consider routing the electric cable through the wall as hanging wires and conduits are not too attractive. If you are unable to use a purpose made picture light then experiment with using other methods of lighting. You could consider an uplighter floor light that can be angled to direct the light onto your picture from below or alternatively use wall spotlighting or ceiling spotlighting where the individual spots can be adjusted to angle the light. Floor lamps and table lamps that have directional light are also useful.

Want to but picture lights? Visit The Lighting Company who have a great selection online.