|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Light Up Your Garden And Brighten Your Life
Extending Your Living Space
The garden is fast being considered to be an extension to your living space and homeowners are putting as much effort into creating a harmonious environment outside as they are inside. A beautiful garden is also considered to be one of the biggest selling features of a home and can certainly help to add value and appeal.
As the short days of winter recede, many of us will be starting to think about our gardens and dreaming up projects and schemes that we plan to undertake when the days become longer and the weather warmer. For many traditionalists this will mean planting borders, manicuring the lawn and cultivating a myriad of blooms that will add colour and life to their gardens throughout the summer, whilst others will view their garden purely as an area in which to relax.
Garden centres are already stocked with outdoor furniture, ubiquitous decking and the eclectic range of artefacts that are designed to help you enjoy your garden to the full. However, garden lighting is one of the most effective ways that you can improve the look and functionality of your outdoor living space and increases the time that you can appreciate this natural extension to your home. Garden lighting has moved beyond the occasional wall lantern or halogen floodlight illuminating the patio or garden path, blending functionality with creativity. Strategic outdoor lighting enables you to enjoy aspects of your garden at all times of the day or evening, all year 'round, whether for entertainment purposes or your own pleasure.
The garden at night should be considered to be a blank canvas on which one's own creation can evolve. Properly placed lighting can create the most wonderful ambience by silhouetting trees, highlighting favourite shrubs, accenting flowerbeds or reflecting the diamond like sparkle of droplets cascading from a water feature.
The Key to Successful Creative Lighting
The key to successful lighting is to focus in on specific architectural features:
- Uplight pergolas, archways or façades for a dramatic effect
- "Wash" sides of buildings with a subtle light
- Focus a gentle light across fences and walls
- Highlight water features with submersible lights
- Silhouette trees by placing lights below and behind them.
Bring your garden alive after dark by illuminating it with a range of carefully chosen coloured lights:
- Add warmth with tones of yellow or red
- Add a green light beneath foliage to make leaves appear greener
- Create a fresher, Nordic atmosphere with white or blue light. This is particularly effective if you have a lot of pine trees.
Subtlety is the key, since a blend of too many colours can give a gaudy appearance, unless of course you have a penchant for theme park styles.
Functional Lighting
If you are seeking more functional lighting, then low voltage fittings are the best option. Uplighters fitted into decking or patios can add that subtle but necessary source of light when the sun goes down, whether you are entertaining or just relaxing. But there are always more creative possibilities. Recessed lighting can be built into steps and fixed seating or under handrails. Each source of light becomes a feature in itself and creates the individuality and atmosphere that reflects your own needs and personality.
If you are an active barbecuer and you need more direct light, then spotlights that are discretely located but focused on your cooking area are ideal. If safety and security are your concern then there is a wide range of functional but aesthetic lighting available to illuminate steps, paths and driveways and help to prevent accidents after dark. Motion detectors that activate lighting when someone passes by have proved to be a boon for added security and safety. Another way of improving security is to have certain strategically placed lighting linked to photo electric cells that automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
Lighting Tips
When creating a lighting scheme for your garden you should adopt the less is more approach. The objective must always be to see the landscape and not the lights, with the right balance between aesthetic and functional lighting.
It is important always to use lights that have the correct IP rating and are therefore suitable for outdoor lighting. Although the installation of these types of light is not difficult, it is recommended that you employ a qualified electrician for their installation.
There is a wide range of products on the market from which to choose, but the most cost-effective solution is to buy the best quality you can. By choosing quality products and having them professionally fitted you'll have something that will not only last for years, but also maintains its good looks.
Don't forget that you are starting with a blank canvas. Like art, there are a few basic rules that you should follow, but in the end beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Be creative. Make your garden an extension to your home. A 'room' under the stars!
www.thelightcompanydirect.co.uk
About The Author
Carolyn and Laurence James own The Light Company Direct Ltd, an independent, family run business, based in the heart of the Cotswolds. The company offers a superb range of distinctive and stylish lighting for homes and commercial establishments via mail order and the Internet. Carolyn and Laurence have selected lighting that represents the very best in design and craftsmanship. They have developed close links with key manufacturers throughout Europe and are able to offer customers many designs that are rarely seen in the UK.
carolyn@thelightcompanydirect.co.uk
Mirror, MI - Jan 4, 2009
Michael Saint, a certified master gardener and owner of Good Earth landscape Institute, will show you how to turn a neglected entrance, courtyard or side ...
San Francisco Chronicle, USA - 15 hours ago
Aerin Moore discusses "How to Create a Beautiful Garden: Landscaping Techniques." 1 pm Tues. Public Safety Bldg., Alex Clark Room, 880 Tennent Ave., Pinole. ...
Contra Costa Times, CA - Jan 6, 2009
That could have happened here, but thanks to a gardening angel, it didn't. Mitchell wrote to Kevin Davis of CLS Landscape Management Inc. in Chino and told ...
Peninsula Gateway, WA - 5 hours ago
30 for a seminar at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show (www.otshows.com/THS), “Edible landscaping with veggies and herbs.†In garden design, I see more yards ...
San Jose Mercury News, USA - Jan 3, 2009
Everything from design, home improvement, décor, home entertainment, landscaping, gardening, and much, much more will be on display at this event. ...
Seeds: Budding gardeners can take home a seedling Sacramento Bee
all 2 news articles
Blanco County News, USA - 11 hours ago
Some of the volunteer projects have included: the support of the Bindseil Park, landscaping at Gem of the Hills, speaker at the Lavender festival with ...
TCPalm, FL - 9 hours ago
"Florida Native Landscaping": University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; 2199 S. Rock Road, Fort Pierce; 4-7 pm, ...
Examiner.com - 13 hours ago
Daugherty designed many garden and landscapes around the city of Atlanta. The exhibition runs through March 28 th . For full information check: ...
Reno Gazette Journal, NV - 16 hours ago
It's cold out there, so I have gathered up my past issues of some gardening books, and some of my older landscape books, and a sketch book. ...
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Bureau, CA - Jan 6, 2009
Cash-strapped homeowners facing foreclosure don't spend money on gardening materials. The abrupt halt to building and development leaves landscape ...
Gardening--Fun and Frugal!
Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb gardener or just like to have a pretty yard, these frugal tips may help you save a... Read More
Fall Pond Cleaning
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months can be very stressful on your fish. However, if the pond is really dirty and full of... Read More
Backyard Landscaping
When most people think of landscaping, they think of a beautifully decorated front yard. But what about the back? There are many reasons why you should consider... Read More
Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling
Worms are not only the gardener's best friend, they are also the recycler's new found best friend as well. Nature's little waste disposal experts have found a... Read More
Iris Flowers Remind Me Of Mom!
Iris flowers always bring memories of mom to mind. Let me share with you three reasons why... Iris flowers are naturally beautiful Iris flowers posses the ability... Read More
Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors
A patio can be just like another room in your house. Effective patio design can mean that your increase the floor... Read More
Wind Chimes Soothe The Soul
They can be pretty to look at and soothing to hear, but did you know that that wind chimes also have healing effects? Just listening to the... Read More
How To Check If Cut Flowers Are Fresh
Fresh flowers should feel crisp or firm. Before you buy, run your hand under the flower heads from stem to petal tip. Proceed gently under the petals... Read More
Balcony, Patio, and Courtyard Gardening
People choose balcony, patio, and courtyard gardening for many different reasons. Some are moving from a large house to smaller accommodation, some don't want the hassle of... Read More
Selling Your House? Mow Your Lawn!
A property that has a well manicured lawn has one of the best chances at showing pride in ownership than any other outdoor technique.For one thing, there... Read More
Bare Root Roses, What To Look For When Buying
The first thing to look for is the plant's grade. Nearly all bare root roses sold today are grown in the field and are approximetly two years... Read More
Earthworm Friends in the Garden
Earthworms are a gardener's best friend.Research has shown that earthworm excrement, also called castings or vermicompost, improves the aeration, porosity, structure, drainage, and moisture-holding capacity of soil.Many... Read More
Suet Facts and Tips
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a hobby for you whether you actively encourage visits from birds or not. One way to attract birds... Read More
Ship Ahoy! The Nautical Touch in Your Outdoor Living Space
Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a shore bird? Whether you're land-locked or seaside, you can create a nautical look in your outdoor living... Read More
A Look at Fall Flower Bulbs
Most people would think of fall as a season when trees are changing colors and dying. For many, the autumn leaves are our last dance with color... Read More
Escape to Sunny Mexico - at Home!
Can't get away for a southern vacation this year? Don't despair -- plan a sunny Mexican style refresher for your patio décor and enjoy the festive atmosphere... Read More
Introduction to Botany
Botanists are individuals who conduct extensive study on plant biology - from the simple to the most complex plant organisms; studying all aspect of an individual plant... Read More
Cozy Nooks: Creating a Secret Outdoor Place
Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the secret is a nook in your outdoor space, all the better. A nook is defined as a... Read More
Teak Furniture - How to Care for it Properly
Many finer homes and businesses feature beautiful indoor and outdoor furniture made from teak. Although the obvious reason is the beauty that comes from teak, there are... Read More
Tractors and Their History
I recently bought a small tractor for my garden, which prompted me to right this article.The tractor was a John Deere, GT235. John Deere tractors are quite... Read More
Cultivating Plants In Your Garden...What To Watch Out For
There are so many plants available for you to choose from that it's hard to know where to start. Are you looking for house plants, tropical plants... Read More
Spice up Your Garden with Rare Flowering Bulbs
Any experienced gardener knows the secret to a beautiful garden is in the bulbs. Flowering bulbs are usually quite hardy and undemanding and can provide the most... Read More
A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One
When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me more inviting and warm than furnishing that space with natural products such as wood. Often, though, there... Read More
Teak Outdoor Furniture - Where Function Meets Beauty
The wonderful thing about choosing teak outdoor furniture is that you have such diversity. From chairs to benches to tables and more, teak is the perfect wood... Read More
Make The Most From Your Vegetable Garden
All your hard work has paid off, and now you are presented with a dilemma, too many vegetables! After sharing your wealth with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors... Read More
Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden
Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild flower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's... Read More
Vegetable Garden Layout
The size of your yard will determine your final vegetable garden layout. What can be fun is the planning of the garden and the decisions surrounding the... Read More
Orange Perennials For Your Garden
Perennials are wonderful because, they bloom year after year. Sometimes, I forget that I even have them planted and then they spring up to my surprise and... Read More
The Garden As Healer
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for a garden and has always meant the same thing in every culture. It is representative of 'paradise... Read More
5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Cant Live Without
Gardening is fun and rewarding and may be considered a hobby, talent or both and sometimes it's just luck. Gardening is not as easy as it looks... Read More
Vegetable Growing for Beginners
If you have never grown vegetables before the first thing that you need to decide is where to plant them in your garden. Most vegetables need 6-8... Read More
Roses and Juniper Rock Gardens
Wide circle driveways don't happen much anymore, but when they do, what do you do with them? Clear out the grass, mound up some soil, and park... Read More
Organic Roses in the Flower Garden
Many people believe growing their flowers and vegetables organically is healthier for them and their environment. It is natural that you may wish to grow your roses... Read More
Flower Meanings & History of Flowers
The charming and delicate beauty of flowers has fascinated people of all nations and backgrounds for centuries. Flowers have been bred and cultivated for their decorative beauty... Read More
Mustard: The Greatest Among The Herbs
Mustard plants have been used for thousands of years for their pungent flavour in condiments, spicy greens for side dishes and salads, and in traditional folk medicine... Read More
How to Choose Between Goldfish and KOI
Many people have asked us over the years "Should I add goldfish or KOI (or both) to my pond? The answer is "it depends."Goldfish are better suited... Read More
Best Perennial Plants for Summer Color
Summer is here and it's time to plant and enjoy the beautiful flowers that blossom during the heat of the season. A perennial plant is one that... Read More
How to Rid that Lawn of Thatch!
You know that brown patchy debris in a lawn that accumulates on top of the soil but below the grass line? That's thatch.Thatch consist of grass clippings,... Read More
The Zoo-Doo Man - Or How to Make the Best Compost in the World!
Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant crop for you without any great effort on your part? We were once told "By the sweat... Read More
Spurce Up Your Garden With Decorative Birdhouses
Decorative Birdhouses are active garden ornamentation --the presence and movement of birds creates a fluid focal point for your garden. As such, placement is critical for you... Read More
Plan Before Buying Rose Bushes
So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your yard or on your patio, porch or balcony. Now all you have to do is go out... Read More
Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye
To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled canvas in the corner of the garage, or maybe that shiny blue plastic sheet in the hardware... Read More
Wooden Greenhouses
An important addition to any British back garden, the greenhouse is firmly established in the British way of life. It's probably the inclement weather that drives the... Read More
Teak Umbrella : Add the Final Touch to Your Patio
Okay, so you have agonized for weeks and finally went out and purchased that gorgeous teak patio table that you have had your eye on for quite... Read More
10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting
Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have some good advice and tips to start with...1. Check with your local gardening center or florist for... Read More
Choosing the Right Roses for your Garden
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you can grow in your garden. With such a selection to choose from, it can be extremely difficult... Read More
Themes of Shade
A Shade Garden can be created in any of several different types of shade. It can be in the mottled shade that comes from a broad leaf... Read More
The Tools of Rose Gardening
Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you have the right tools. Before heading out to your rose garden, make sure you arm yourself with... Read More
Patio Design ? Expanding Your Home Outdoors
A patio can be just like another room in your house. Effective patio design can mean that your increase the floor... Read More
Using Push Reel Mowers
If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if you haven't used one since "back in the day", there are a few points you should be... Read More
Caring For Tropical And Exotic Flowers
Tropical flowers make an exciting change from the more traditional floral gifts such as roses and gerberas, assuming that they're available in your area. Their stark and... Read More
Teak Patio Furniture Is The Perfect Choice For Your Terrace
You have spent hours of time and quite a lot of money on getting your back yard just right. The trees are lush and green, the flowers... Read More