Outdoor Fix-Ups: Improving Outdoor Lighting
Here are some easy ways to introduce effective and evocative lighting in the backyard, without hiring an electrician
Great lighting will help you enjoy your outdoor areas all year long, however, it’s important not to have the light so bright that it washes people out and hurts the eyes. An ideal amount of illumination allows people to see each other, eat a meal and find their way around the area safely while still creating an intimate mood. While task lighting is essential, it’s the more whimsical additions that make outdoor areas come alive.
Fairy lights
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Hammer, nails, a screwdriver and screws
HOW TO: Fairy lights can make even the most barren courtyard look like a wonderland. Cheap to buy and easy to attach, these lights look good everywhere. String them up in trees, wrap them around bannisters, stretch them overhead – the options are endless. The small lights are attached to sturdy flexible wire that’s made to be positioned in any way that takes your fancy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with coloured lights to create different moods.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Hammer, nails, a screwdriver and screws
HOW TO: Fairy lights can make even the most barren courtyard look like a wonderland. Cheap to buy and easy to attach, these lights look good everywhere. String them up in trees, wrap them around bannisters, stretch them overhead – the options are endless. The small lights are attached to sturdy flexible wire that’s made to be positioned in any way that takes your fancy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with coloured lights to create different moods.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes
Lanterns
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: String to attach the lanterns
HOW TO: Multi-coloured lanterns add interest and aesthetic charm while gently illuminating a space at night. The lanterns can be fitted over the light globes on a string of lights, or hung individually with solar-powered globes. The solar battery absorbs sunlight all day and the light automatically switches on at night, transforming your outdoor zone into a thing of beauty.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes each
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: String to attach the lanterns
HOW TO: Multi-coloured lanterns add interest and aesthetic charm while gently illuminating a space at night. The lanterns can be fitted over the light globes on a string of lights, or hung individually with solar-powered globes. The solar battery absorbs sunlight all day and the light automatically switches on at night, transforming your outdoor zone into a thing of beauty.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes each
Pool
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Coloured LED lights
HOW TO: Pool lighting adds an evocative glow to the garden when the sun goes down. While traditional blue light always looks great, a new range of LED globes now offers all the colours of the rainbow. Your pool can be as red as lava, as green as a pond or as purple as a weird dream. Another great option is a unit that lets you choose different colours or cycles through them.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes to fit
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Coloured LED lights
HOW TO: Pool lighting adds an evocative glow to the garden when the sun goes down. While traditional blue light always looks great, a new range of LED globes now offers all the colours of the rainbow. Your pool can be as red as lava, as green as a pond or as purple as a weird dream. Another great option is a unit that lets you choose different colours or cycles through them.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes to fit
Ground lights
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A good eye
HOW TO: The natural instinct is to add lighting overhead, but well-placed ground lights can look fantastic and be very effective. When night comes, these three white globes will illuminate the edge of the pool while looking ethereal reflected in the water’s surface. These types of ground lights can be battery operated and are often rechargeable.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 seconds each to place
More outdoor lighting options
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A good eye
HOW TO: The natural instinct is to add lighting overhead, but well-placed ground lights can look fantastic and be very effective. When night comes, these three white globes will illuminate the edge of the pool while looking ethereal reflected in the water’s surface. These types of ground lights can be battery operated and are often rechargeable.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 seconds each to place
More outdoor lighting options
DIY lighting
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electrician
HOW TO: For real impact, think outside the box when it coms to outdoor lighting. These bottle shades coupled with filament light globes work a treat. Even though the globes look ‘old school’, they’re actually LED lights. While it’s possible to create such a look yourself, a certain amount of skill is required and so this one is probably better left to a professional.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes on the phone
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electrician
HOW TO: For real impact, think outside the box when it coms to outdoor lighting. These bottle shades coupled with filament light globes work a treat. Even though the globes look ‘old school’, they’re actually LED lights. While it’s possible to create such a look yourself, a certain amount of skill is required and so this one is probably better left to a professional.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes on the phone
Hidden tea-light candles
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Paper bags and battery-powered LED candle lights
HOW TO: This simple and effective lighting option is an easy way to mark out paths when guests are visiting. Originally, the look was obtained by placing tea-light candles in paper bags. However, if you’re not fond of conflagrations, a better option is to use the small battery-powered alternatives. These flickering, LED lights come in packs of 12 and are very inexpensive. The effect, however, is brilliant.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 seconds each
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Paper bags and battery-powered LED candle lights
HOW TO: This simple and effective lighting option is an easy way to mark out paths when guests are visiting. Originally, the look was obtained by placing tea-light candles in paper bags. However, if you’re not fond of conflagrations, a better option is to use the small battery-powered alternatives. These flickering, LED lights come in packs of 12 and are very inexpensive. The effect, however, is brilliant.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 seconds each
Chandelier
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Screw hooks, equal lengths of chain and a stepladder
HOW TO: Nothing turns a barbecue area into a fabulous entertaining space faster than a chandelier. This fun, funky option will have all your guests talking. It’s up to you how extravagant the chandelier should be, but most can be attached to a ceiling or post with three screw hooks and a length of chain. Just remember, this is definitely more razzle-dazzle than an effective lighting option, so you may need additional illumination.
AVERAGE TIME: 20 minutes
Lighting ideas to enhance your outside space
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Screw hooks, equal lengths of chain and a stepladder
HOW TO: Nothing turns a barbecue area into a fabulous entertaining space faster than a chandelier. This fun, funky option will have all your guests talking. It’s up to you how extravagant the chandelier should be, but most can be attached to a ceiling or post with three screw hooks and a length of chain. Just remember, this is definitely more razzle-dazzle than an effective lighting option, so you may need additional illumination.
AVERAGE TIME: 20 minutes
Lighting ideas to enhance your outside space
Pendants
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Pendant lights
HOW TO: Pendant lights are available in all manner of colours and sizes, and can become a subtle focal point of any area. Most people tend to utilise matching shapes hung at the same height, but here conformity is thrown out the window. A simple electrical cord and light globe has never looked so good. Be careful when positioning pendant lights – they should be high enough for people to pass underneath or placed over a table so they won’t be in the way. And make sure to use lights that are suitable for outdoor use.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes each
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Pendant lights
HOW TO: Pendant lights are available in all manner of colours and sizes, and can become a subtle focal point of any area. Most people tend to utilise matching shapes hung at the same height, but here conformity is thrown out the window. A simple electrical cord and light globe has never looked so good. Be careful when positioning pendant lights – they should be high enough for people to pass underneath or placed over a table so they won’t be in the way. And make sure to use lights that are suitable for outdoor use.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes each
Ordinary globes
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Screw hooks and a step ladder
HOW TO: Most strings of lights use small LED globes these days. However, a string of lights fitted with ordinary sized light globes not only looks terrific, but also provides plenty of light. A retro feel can also be achieved by fitting different coloured light globes. This style of set-up provides diffuse, even light that’s perfect for outdoor events.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes
TELL US
Do you have decorative lights in your garden? Upload a photo of them in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of outdoor lighting products
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Screw hooks and a step ladder
HOW TO: Most strings of lights use small LED globes these days. However, a string of lights fitted with ordinary sized light globes not only looks terrific, but also provides plenty of light. A retro feel can also be achieved by fitting different coloured light globes. This style of set-up provides diffuse, even light that’s perfect for outdoor events.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes
TELL US
Do you have decorative lights in your garden? Upload a photo of them in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of outdoor lighting products
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Appropriate hooks, a screwdriver, glue, a hammer and a stepladder
HOW TO: String lights are easy to attach and look fantastic when positioned overhead, and they can easily be stretched between two hooks screwed into either side of a sitting area. Most work off a 12-volt transformer so they are safe to use around children. Simply attach two hooks – either by screwing, glueing or nailing – and stretch the string lights between them. The power cord can be hidden by running it down a pole or along the edge of a wall.
AVERAGE TIME: 30 minutes
Reasons to use outdoor lighting