Garden lighting: ideas for the perfect lighting scheme

When planning your garden lighting, you need to consider the type of lighting you want to use and consider where each type will go. To make this decision easier, we have summarized the most common lighting options.

LED garden lighting: LED lights are a popular choice due to their energy efficiency and longevity. They come in a variety of designs, from recessed ground lights to bollard lights and LED globes. LED technology allows for powerful lighting with lower energy consumption, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious garden owners. If you're thinking about replacing halogen with LED, you’ll not only save energy, but also enjoy the benefits of modern lighting technology in your garden.

Solar lights: Solar lights are another environmentally friendly lighting option. They use the day’s sunlight to charge and illuminate their surroundings when the sun sets. These lights are perfect for remote garden areas where there is no power supply, and they come in a wide range of styles, from functional path lights to decorative solar lanterns.

Indirect lighting: Indirect lighting uses light sources that are not directly visible to create a subtle and pleasant atmosphere. This can be achieved by hiding lights under bushes, behind stones, or by using recessed ground lights that emit soft light upwards.

The colour temperature of light has a significant influence on the atmosphere in your garden. Warm white light creates an inviting and relaxing environment, ideal for cosy seating areas. Cool white light, on the other hand, provides clarity and is ideal for paths and functional areas.

The correct placement of garden lights is crucial for the overall experience and functionality of your garden:

Pathway lighting: Illuminating paths contributes significantly to safety. Recessed ground lights placed along the path provide clear guidance without causing glare. Consider bollard lights or low spike lights for gentle illumination.

Accentuating garden features: Highlight special garden areas using accent lighting. Spotlights can illuminate trees or artwork, making them eye-catchers at night. Water features or statues can be effectively highlighted with underwater lights or spotlights.

Lighting of seating areas: A combination of direct and indirect lighting is ideal for cosy seating areas. Pendant luminaires above tables combined with soft, indirect light reflected from walls or plants create an inviting atmosphere.

Sustainability is an important topic in modern garden design. LED lights are not only energy-efficient but also durable, making them an ideal choice for the environmentally conscious gardener. Solar lights harness the power of the sun and offer a cost-effective and ecological lighting solution.

By integrating your garden and patio lighting into your Smart Home system, you will benefit from convenience, flexibility, and security in your outdoor living room. With Gira solutions such as Gira One or the radio-based Gira KNX RF, you can adapt the lighting to your daily routine and set functions such as automatic switching or dimming of lights as required or control them via app and voice.

Going on holiday and want to keep unwanted guests away? Schedule exactly when your lights will automatically turn on and off. Smart lighting also provides the perfect lighting concept for special occasions – from a relaxed evening atmosphere to lively party lighting, everything is possible.

Garden lighting should not only be functional, but it should also create a certain atmosphere. Read on to find out which type of lighting creates which atmosphere:

Fairy lights set the mood: String lights are versatile – whether hung in trees, along fences or over seating areas. They create a warm, inviting ambience and are ideal for romantic evenings or social gatherings.

Underwater lighting for water features: Illuminate ponds or fountains with underwater lights for dramatic effects. This can have a magical and soothing effect, especially in the evening hours.

Colourful LEDs for dynamic effects: Use coloured LEDs to set accents or create dynamic light shows. With Smart Home systems, you can even adjust colours and intensity to suit your mood or the occasion.

Lighting as a form of art: Think of lighting as an element of landscaping. Experiment with different light sources to create artistic shadow plays or highlight garden paths.

Themed lighting concepts: Consider themed lighting for special occasions or seasons. From festive Christmas lighting to tropical summer nights – the possibilities are endless.

Natural integration: Integrate lighting elements naturally into your garden. Use lights that blend into the landscape or use natural materials to hide the lighting.
Tip: Install motion detectors in hard-to-see and dark areas to prevent tripping hazards and deter unwanted guests.