When the days start getting shorter and the dark rolls in things can seem quite dull. Our once sun-filled gardens were full of life, and as winter approaches things can become bare, cold and naked. Our outdoor spaces often get rendered useless, and become abandoned until the clocks return back to summer times. Our gardens don’t have to be barren plains for months on end, and things don’t have to seem dreary.
Lighting up your outdoor space is a great way to bring life back to your garden, and despite the cold, you may end up wanting to spend some more time out there! We’ve compiled all the best outdoor lighting tips to help you brighten up your home exterior in the darker months, giving you that cosy winter feels to beat the January blues.
A job like this isn’t a simple DIY task and will most likely require a specialist due to wiring and installation. However, finding a reputable electrician is as simple as a quick google search! Make sure your electrician has an array of positive reviews and can come with the relevant paperwork. If you can get a recommendation from a reliable friend or family member – even better!
Brighten Up Your Front Door
Nothing says ‘welcome’ on a dark, cold night quite like an illuminated front door. Adding some modern outdoor lights to your front porch can be the perfect way to give your property that warm, homely feel – unless you don’t want visitors that is!
Adding a warm-toned modern-style bulb to the ceiling part of the porch can really help to illuminate your home, without going overboard. Don’t have a porch? Try installing two outdoor light fittings on the walls on either side of your door. Symmetry really helps to pull the look of a home together. Porch lights can even be installed as smart lights features, which can be controlled by an app on your phone, or your home Amazon Echo. Just a quick chat with Alexa and your porch light can be switched on or off, or dimmed for ambience.
Cosy Up Round a Fire Pit
Looking for something a little more intimate for those long, cold nights? A garden fire pit is a great addition to any home, allowing for homeowners to utilise their outdoor space during the coldest of evenings. Cosy up with your partner, spend time with family, or hang out with friends all through the winter – hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows in hand.
A fire pit can be a stunning focal point to any garden area, creating that little touch of winter magic. If you’re looking at installing a fire pit on your property, ensure you research the correct usage and dangers to avoid any injury. Keep fire pit structures at a safe distance from any flammable materials, surfaces and greenery. Install a fire pit as far away from your home and neighbouring homes as possible, and always ensure that the fire is completely extinguished and cool before leaving it unattended.
Hang Up Some Strings
String lighting is an easy and effective way of adding a touch of warmth and magic to any space, without the hassle of re-wiring and installation. You can string lighting almost anywhere imaginable, as long as there is an outlet close by. You can also invest in solar string lighting, which requires the daylight to become fully charged.
Try attaching string lighting to a pergola or canopy, around a feature archway, or to a garden trellis to add that magical touch to your outdoor space. Add plenty of comfy furniture, cushions and blankets for the perfect chill-out space for those long winter nights.
When the leaves have fallen and your garden is feeling especially bare, try adding string lights around the trunk and branches of a couple of trees. This can really change the feel of a space, bringing it back to life again.
Install Patio Lighting
Patio or deck lighting will most likely require a professional, but if it gives usage back to your garden through the winter months, it’s totally worth the investment. Use patio lighting to brighten your usual seating area during dark evenings, allowing you to enjoy time outside and in nature without having to dig the torch from the man drawer.
If your patio or decking extends into your garden as a pathway, use lighting to create visibility down the pathway. Giving you the means to take a stroll around your outdoor space and enjoy the crisp evening air.
Hang Up Some Lanterns
Lanterns make a stunning and magical garden feature, and they come in a range of materials, sizes, colours and aesthetics. Shop your local homeware or garden store for some stylish pieces to add depth to your home exterior.
Traditionally lit lanterns will give off a cosy, flickering glow, and solar-powered lanterns give you ease and piece of mind. Lanterns can be hung from trees and pergolas, or positioned in areas of your patio to add flare.
Integrate Lighting Into Your Furniture
Add that little something extra to your current garden furniture using outdoor lighting. LED wrap lighting can be wrapped around wicker chairs, benches, table legs and other items to create a stunning, romantic ambience. LED lights are a great energy-efficient option, so lighting up the darkest through the winter won’t break the bank.
Dress Up Your Steps
If your garden space has multiple levels, this is a great opportunity to create depth and dimension by lighting up your steps. This will give your garden a sleek, modern feel all year round. There are different types and aesthetics you can go for when choosing your garden step lighting, such as LED under-stair lighting that will illuminate each entire step, or spotlighting which can be installed on the wall next to each step or to the steps themselves. You can also side-light your stairs if there is a small gap between the steps and the walls surrounding them. This will create a glow from level to level.
A job like this isn’t a simple DIY task and will most likely require a specialist due to wiring and installation. However, finding a reputable electrician is as simple as a quick google search! Make sure your electrician has an array of positive reviews and can come with the relevant paperwork. If you can get a recommendation from a reliable friend or family member – even better!