A considered mix of ambient, task and accent lighting can help a backyard work after dark.
Outdoor living doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Cooler air and softer light can make an alfresco area especially appealing — but without a considered lighting plan, a deck, patio or garden can quickly become difficult to use.
A mix of ambient, task and accent lighting can make a backyard work hard after dark. Picture: Getty
Good outdoor lighting is not necessarily the brightest. It is placed where it earns its keep: along a path, over the dining table, beside the barbecue or around a favourite plant.
Done well, it helps people move safely, makes everyday tasks easier and gives the backyard a reason to linger in.
Here are some ways you can elevate your outdoor living area with the right lighting.
1. Start with how you use the space
Is the table used for dinner? Do people cross the lawn to get inside? Is there a barbecue, pool, path or set of steps that needs more visibility?
Low-level spike lights can be good options for paths. Picture: Beacon Lighting
Plan for safety, tasks and atmosphere: use low-level spike lights on paths, clearer light on steps and a brighter fitting near the barbecue.
Beacon Lighting’s Sunset Solar LED Spike Spot in Black is one option for planting or paths. Brilliant’s Beth LED Spotlight DIY Garden Light is a similar product, available at Bunnings.
2. Layer light instead of relying on one bright fitting
One overhead light can illuminate a table while leaving the garden edges dark, or create harsh shadows and an unpleasant atmosphere. A layered approach can address this issue.
This solar option from IKEA suits balconies, terraces or gardens. Picture: IKEA
For entertaining, warm-white festoon lights can create a visual canopy.
Festoon House’s Outdoor String Lights are one connectable option for longer runs. For a simpler, solar-powered glow, IKEA’s SOLARVET LED Lighting Chain with 24 Lights suits balconies, terraces and gardens.
Add focused light near a doorway or on steps, and follow product instructions.
3. Get the warmth and weather rating right
Warm-white light can feel softer than cool, blue-toned light in areas used for dinner and conversation. Keep lights in the same zone visually consistent.
Festoon lights can elevate entertaining areas. Picture: Beacon Lighting
Check the IP rating before buying. It indicates protection against dust and water, not brightness. IP44 fittings are commonly used in protected locations, while exposed areas may require a higher rating such as IP65. SAL’s Bondi Up & Down Wall Light is one IP65-rated example for an exposed entry or patio wall.
Coastal homes should look for coastal-rated fittings or corrosion-resistant materials.
Think about the conditions around each fitting.
A covered entertaining area might suit warm-white festoon lights such as these ones from Beacon Lighting, while a garden path exposed to rain needs a higher IP rating and a fitting designed for that position.
