Garden lamps probably aren’t the first thing you think about when designing your dream home. But here’s the good news: unlike indoor lighting, outdoor fixtures are SO much easier to plan and add later on.
You absolutely don’t need to demolish any walls or mess up your existing setup. All it takes is a little inspiration to figure out what types of lamps you love. So, I’m sharing some of my favorite guidelines to get you that stunning garden!
Lighting for Ponds and Pools
Do you have a small pond in your garden? You can install some small bollard lamps right on the shore. Or, and this is one of my favorite looks, you could use ball or blob-shaped lamps that just sit on the ground. They look just like glowing rocks!.
A quick reminder: any lamps you use in this area absolutely must be waterproof. I’ve also seen some companies design floating lamps for ponds, which come in all sorts of shapes. These are such special accessories for your garden and create a truly beautiful, dreamy atmosphere.
by COLECCION ALEXANDRA / Photo by: Imagostudio.es
by Grant and Power Landscaping / Photo By Linda Oyama Bryan
Lights for Flowers and Trees
Small floor lamps are also perfectly suited to be placed right among your flower arrangements. You can find them in those glowing rock shapes, or even as long, flexible glowing LED tubes.
And I just have to mention, if you have trees in your garden, you have to try this! Try installing some Japanese-style pendant lamps or simple round pendants. Hanging them from the branches gives you such a festive and magical garden vibe.
by Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech
by Exteriors By Chad Robert
Lighting for Garden Alleys
What about that alley running through the garden? If it’s close to the house, which it is in most cases, you can light up the walk with wall appliqués. Or, just use wall lamps built right onto the house wall.
There are SO many options to use here. You could go for more classical lamps that have lampshades, or go for those very minimalistic and modern wall appliqués. I love the ones with simple and attractive geometric shapes.
Here’s a great idea: you can also combine a bollard light, which serves as your actual orientation light, with some decorative wall appliqués.
Getting ones with an up and downlight effect is perfect. These just cast their shine effect right on the wall surface, and it looks amazing.
Lighting Your Patio
Those same wall lamps are also really effective on an outdoor terrace or your patio. If you’ve created that ‘outdoor living room’ kind of terrace, which I absolutely love, you can use a sturdy pendant lamp right over the table.
Here’s a tip: it doesn’t even need to be waterproof if you have a cover for this area, like if it’s under a balcony. Standing floor lamps are also so appropriate in this space. Getting ones with dimmers is perfect for an area meant for conversation and relaxation.
by John Kraemer & Sons/ Photography: Scott Amundson
by Pedersen Associates / Barbara Ries Photography
