Street lighting of a summer cottage is a popular way of landscaping, capable of simultaneously solving a number of diverse tasks. The article will introduce you to the features of functional, decorative and security lighting, point out the basic requirements for a lighting system. You will learn what is included in a lighting scheme and which lighting fixtures function best in outdoor conditions.
Comfort and practicality of evening lighting
Countryside lighting: types and features
In the evenings, after sunset, the yard and garden fade into twilight, and you can no longer distinguish anything at a distance of ten meters. Moving around your own site, you sometimes do not notice where the lawn ends and the beds begin. To get rid of the problems associated with the onset of darkness, well-organized lighting of the suburban area will help. Such outdoor lighting is implemented in different ways; Depending on the purpose, the following types of lighting are distinguished:
1. Functional lighting
The purpose of organizing functional lighting is to ensure comfortable and safe movement around the site; To do this, highlight the following elements of the house and garden:
Gates and gates. They are conveniently illuminated with manual or automatic lamps located on lampposts. Lamps located at a considerable height (from 2 to 4 m) illuminate a large area, including part of the track. Before installation, make sure that the light does not disturb those inside the house.
Entrance area lighting
Front doors, entrance to the terrace or a veranda is equipped with wall lamps or street sconces. This solution will add elegance to any exterior; lamps fill the space with soft light. Thanks to this feature, they will be able to perform an additional, decorative function, participating in facade lighting.
Main garden path, driveway to garage, parking area. It is recommended to illuminate the main transit zones with lanterns on poles 70-140 cm high. Long-lasting gas-discharge light sources of various power are used for them. Such devices allow you to achieve uniform illumination of a large area; their power is selected depending on the width of the tracks and the frequency of installation of devices. Illumination of garden paths can be controlled manually or automatically, programmed by time, or by relay, triggered at dusk.
Safety at night
Buildings of the economic zone. If you plan on doing business after sunset, a switch-operated floodlight (one or more) is a practical solution. Such a spotlight will bring maximum benefit if it is mounted on a high support or on the roof of a building.
Garage. A convenient solution would be to use wall lamps that indicate the boundaries of entry. Such lighting devices (as a rule, these are low-power energy-saving lamps) are lit along with the rest of the system elements or are triggered by a motion sensor.
Alcove. The optimal solution for this garden structure is a garland or ceiling lamp located in the center of the ceiling. Plafond is better to choose matte; such material makes the light soft and does not distort colors. The switch is mounted in the gazebo itself or in the house (if the gazebo is wooden).
Lighting design of the gazebo
2. Decorative lighting
If you want to add expressiveness to a country house and landscape, you should think about organizing decorative lighting. It is controlled from a remote control located in a residential building, creates a romantic and sometimes fabulous atmosphere and is formally divided into two parts:
architectural lighting(facade of the house). General or spot lighting is used, and the sources are located on the building or next to it. The main (besides the visual effect) requirement is that the light should not cause inconvenience to the residents in the house.
garden lighting. Landscape lighting is ideal for creating accents. You can illuminate a flower bed, a pond and an ornamental shrub, envelop a garden sculpture, a bench or an alpine hill with light. Part of the problem is solved thanks to architectural lighting. But, in order to get a truly spectacular view, lanterns-columns and point (dug-in and decorative) light sources are placed on the territory. The programmable remote control allows you to configure the automatic activation of various system components.
Illumination of the facade of the house
Festive. The most common option is New Year's illumination. Perhaps you also decorate the garden for the birthday of your loved ones and other events.
3. Marking lighting
It is both part of decorative and functional lighting. Its role is to make the movement of people and cars safe. The following objects are marked with light:
Stair steps(both located in the garden and external staircases of a residential building). Models intended for outdoor use (seasonal or year-round) are selected. They are made from impact-resistant materials and are designed to last for many years.
The edges of the playground, the boundaries of the recreation area or tracks. For this role, universal lamps are selected that are resistant to temperature extremes, atmospheric moisture and dust.
Leisure area marking
4. Security (duty) lighting
Security lighting is part of the security system; it is designed to play a purely functional role - to report an illegal intrusion into the homestead territory. Security lighting of the garden plot has the following characteristics:
Consists of separately located gas-discharge light sources equipped with motion sensors (SNiP 23-05-95 recommends sodium and halogen lamps, incandescent lamps and LEDs are also acceptable).
Locations of lamps are chosen in such a way that the sensors block all approaches to the doors.
When installing check for dead zones where there is no sensor action. Lamps are installed to the left or right of the camera lens, which allows you to get more uniform illumination when the image is perceived by the camera.
The system is triggered(spotlights and lamps turn on) automatically, when a moving object is in the coverage area, and turns off (goes out) after a few minutes (the interval is configured at the request of the owners and can be from five to thirty minutes).
Emergency lighting
Security lighting can play the role of an escort and be used for occasional lighting of paths or outbuildings. This is convenient because the owners do not have to spend time turning the lights on and off or keep them on all the time.
On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer landscaping and electrical services. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
Lighting a suburban area: requirements for the organization
When organizing lighting, it is necessary to adhere to the rules related to both the safety of use and the aesthetic qualities of the system. Conditions to be set include the following:
Wiring. Taking into account the installation rules will make it safe for the residents of the house. RCDs and circuit breakers are certainly added to the circuit; this will help protect the network from a short circuit and de-energize it (in automatic mode) if overloads occur.
Protection. All elements of the system intended for outdoor use must be protected from mechanical damage and dust. The supply cable is laid in a corrugation or a plastic pipe; light sources, sockets and switches are used, additionally protected from moisture.
Video description
About the choice of street lighting in the following video:
Ease of control. The owners should have free access to all elements of the system and the possibility of local or emergency shutdown of any light source.
Saving. To save money, the best solution would be to use energy-saving lamps: LED and solar-powered. Installing such devices will save from 40 to 70% of electricity.
Site lighting scheme. It is compiled in advance and implemented before the start of landscape work. Otherwise, there is a great risk of spoiling the work of a landscape designer by laying underground cables through ready-made lawns and flower beds.
About the lighting scheme of a suburban area
If you do not want to be the owner of a chaotic, poorly functioning collection of lamps, the issue of lighting the backyard area should be taken systematically.
Lighting scheme for a summer cottage
To do this, it is not enough just to choose the lamps you like; Before the start of installation work, a detailed lighting plan is drawn up, including the following information:
Plan-scheme with markup the location of all light sources, the zone of necessary illumination and the routes of underground cables. In order not to have to spend time and money on rework, the locations of the lamps are applied to the site plan, which indicates all existing (and future) buildings and landscape elements. The places of many lighting fixtures can be outlined only after the project of the terrace, garden paths, gazebos is ready.
Connection points for lamps and connection of individual power lines. Depending on the ease of use, a place is chosen for the location of switches and waterproof sockets.
Specify the type, size and style of lighting fixtures taking into account climatic features (lighting for the garden should perform its functions all year round, with any frost and snow cover).
Video description
About the street lighting of the Smart Home system in the following video:
Developed wiring diagram. To ensure that the system does not cause trouble in the future and is as safe as possible, it is recommended to entrust its installation to a specialist.
What to choose for garden lighting
Manufacturers offer a huge number of lamps designed for outdoor use; they are classified according to the place of installation in the following way:
Street lights and bollards of different heights. Such products attract attention with their elegance and practicality.
Outdoor pendant lights, garlands and sconces. They decorate the gazebo, the entrance to the house, tree branches; there are original fiber optic varieties.
Wall lights. Products are offered in classic and modern style, which allows you to choose such a lighting fixture for any facade.
Facade lighting. Such lanterns have a reflector that directs the flow of light in the direction you need (up or down).
street garland
Recessed luminaires. They are used for hidden lighting, mounted in holes in walls or roofs, where they are almost invisible.
Recessed luminaires. They are designed for installation in soil, track material or asphalt pavement. Path lighting in the country can be complemented by spectacular lighting of the porch, pool, fountain or flower beds.
Floodlights and luminaires with motion sensor. Such electrical appliances, equipped with powerful lamps, are often installed at ground level. With their help, you can get a bright, narrow beam of light that will effectively highlight a building or a beautiful tree.
Video description
About the visualization of the area lighting in the following video:
Decorative lamps. In addition to the usual traditional models, there are many bright solutions with non-standard design. Modern or high-tech options are popular, as well as in the form of sculptures that give the setting a sophisticated look.
Lamps that work all year round in the open air must have certain performance characteristics, not be afraid of high humidity and temperature changes. To work in such rather harsh conditions, several types of lamps are suitable, which include:
Incandescent lamps. One of the most common lighting methods. Products have a low cost and a service life of several thousand hours; The disadvantage is low efficiency and heating, which imposes requirements on the heat resistance of the lamp material.
LED sources and strips. They give bright light, last a long time, and consume little electricity. Some varieties are equipped with brightness control.
Vintage lamps on a pole
Halogen and fluorescent. Compared to an incandescent lamp, they last much longer, have a high light output, and consume much less electricity, which ensures savings in operation. Fluorescent lamps have a limit on the number of on-off switches, therefore they are not recommended for use in a circuit with motion sensors.
Fiber optic systems. In fact, this is a cable that can be pulled in a place inaccessible to other lighting fixtures.
Sodium lamps. They are characterized by a pleasant warm spectrum and a long service life (about 30 thousand hours).
Solar lamps. Non-volatile devices accumulate solar energy during the day (they are also charged in cloudy weather), and at dusk they emit soft diffused light. They work for 8-10 hours, are convenient for simple installation and unpretentious maintenance; if necessary, the arrangement of spot lighting is easy to change.
Solar Landscape Lights
Conclusion
Owners who decide to arrange a modern lighting system on their site should choose lamps based on their purpose. When improving the habitable space, the widespread use of built-in and fixed light sources is allowed. For landscape lighting of a new land plot, it is advisable to choose sources on vertical supports (columns). This foresight will allow you to change the location of the lamps as the garden grows.
With the onset of summer, many people move to summer cottages. We have been waiting for warmth and sun for so long that now we strive to spend as much time as possible in nature, in the fresh air. Sometimes country parties continue until the morning, so lighting a summer cottage, garden, veranda becomes an urgent issue. It is generally accepted that the lighting of the dacha ends with a garden lamp standing on the table and “Ilyich’s light bulb” at the entrance. Otherwise, you should prepare for huge expenses: we have all been to garden supermarkets and seen how much beautiful garden lamps and lamps cost. More or less affordable flashlights can be found in some online stores.
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Garlands
They can be found in absolutely any hypermarket for the home, they are usually quite inexpensive, but what a wonderful atmosphere you can create with their help on the country veranda! For a porch and veranda closed from the rain, New Year's garlands are perfect, gathering dust all summer around in closets and on the mezzanine.
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To save energy, you don't have to turn them on every night, but if you're inviting friends to a fun summer party or celebrating an important event with your family, a garland is an indispensable thing to create a festive mood!
You can improve the garland with your own hands.
Create cute ceiling balloons from threads, twine, white clothesline: inflate small balloons, wrap a rope around them, smeared with PVA glue, after the glue dries, burst and take out the balloon. We pass a wire with a light bulb - beautiful home-made shades are ready!
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An alternative to rope balls is glass shades from cans. Good for garlands with large bulbs.
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For a long garland of small light bulbs, you can create a wire frame ball:
A multi-colored New Year's garland can simply be placed in a bottle or jar - you get an elegant lamp that can be easily moved to any place near the outlet.
Candles
Candles give a little light, but only they have that special charm that creates a romantic atmosphere. Candles are indispensable if you are celebrating a wedding or arranging a dinner for two in your backyard.
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You can also make lanterns for candles with your own hands from improvised means. You will need wire or rope, as well as glass jars. Sand or small pebbles can be poured at the bottom of the jars - in this case it will be easier for you to change the candles, and the wax will not stain the bottom of the jars.
These lanterns can be made from old tin cans. A great way to keep the kids busy!
Having shown imagination, you can come up with a lot of different ways to decorate a house or cottage with candles.
Lanterns
These lights already require some investment, but they look incredibly impressive!
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Another interesting idea is bottled kerosene lamps. It will require some labor, but the result will be unusual and budgetary.
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An option that I really like: ceiling lamps from an old chandelier + simple street lamps or garlands - and stylish lamps are ready.
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Neon lights
A simple but effective lighting option is a waterproof LED strip. She can highlight steps, benches, the facade of the house.
If you do not have a dacha, then, of course, you can successfully implement all these techniques on your balcony. You can read about the design of open balconies.
Beautiful lighting in the summer cottage is an integral part of a comfortable stay that you will remember on long winter evenings. I hope that my tips will be useful to you in creating a romantic atmosphere in the garden or on the veranda.
Without proper lighting, even the most beautiful landscape design will lose its appeal after dark. Garden lighting can be functional, security, architectural and decorative. Functional lighting is necessary for safe movement around the garden in the dark. Security lighting creates the illusion of being present, protecting the site from external encroachments. Decorative and architectural lighting is designed to decorate the garden area, emphasizing the shape of a particular detail.
Thinking over the lighting design of the garden, first of all, you need to start from its size, as well as the presence of certain landscape objects. In this review, "Dream House" will share the rules for organizing lighting and types of garden lighting.
garden path lighting
Garden paths, paths and bridges are a striking decoration of landscape design, so the lighting for these objects is both a functional and a decorative type of lighting.
The easiest way to illuminate the paths is to use hemispherical lamps, which are mounted in the ground along the perimeter of all roads. Floor lighting does not have significant brightness, but it perfectly emphasizes the boundaries of the tracks. If the territory of the site is too large, it is better to use hemispherical lighting of the garden to illuminate secondary paths and bridges, and most importantly, decorate the path that is adjacent to the house with the help of street or vertical floor lamps. However, when choosing garden lamps or lanterns, keep in mind that their height should be below the human eye.
As additional sources of lighting for the garden, you can use luminous stones or decorative lamps made in the form of various decorations. For the design of narrow additional paths, lighting in the form of an LED cord is best suited. Since the LED cord is flexible enough, it can be used to highlight the most winding paths. If bushes or small plants grow along the paths, they can be very beautifully illuminated with hanging lanterns.
Whichever lighting option for garden paths you choose, remember that the area adjacent to it should also be the brightest.
Illumination of ponds in the garden
During daylight hours, anyone becomes the main decoration of the site, but with the onset of night, its beauty disappears without a trace. Garden lighting for ponds, whether it be a pond, fountain, or waterfall, should first of all complement its decorative feature.
The most common sources of illumination of reservoirs are ordinary low lanterns or floor lamps, which are located along the edges of the object. To further emphasize the beauty of the composition of a fountain or cascade, it is recommended to use floor lamps that can be masked in the adjacent foliage, and their light directed to the object itself. In addition, today there is a huge variety of floating and submerged lamps, thanks to which the reservoir is illuminated "from the inside", becoming a real work of art.
Illumination of trees and shrubs in the garden
Unusual decorative lighting for the garden can be created using ground lamps that are mounted in the ground and illuminate the object vertically. Especially successfully, such lamps illuminate tall trees and. If the tree has a too wide crown, it is recommended to install lamps from several sides.
Flower beds or small shrubs can be illuminated with vertical closed lamps no more than 40 cm high, which will envelop objects with a soft flood light.
Since garden lighting is an integral part of landscape design, it is necessary to take into account all the style features and nuances of the site when organizing it.
During the daytime, walks in the garden do not cause difficulties, you can freely enjoy the beauty of every corner and freely get to all functional objects. Well, in the evening, on a site with an ill-conceived garden lighting system, you have to wander through the dark nooks and crannies, illuminating the path with a flashlight, and admiring the beauties is out of the question. Therefore, you should take care of high-quality lighting of the garden area.
The main tasks and types of garden lighting
Working with lighting is quite an important part of the landscape design of any site. All garden lighting elements can be divided into two conditional groups - functional and decorative.
Functional or utility lighting
The main lighting is designed to ensure the safety and convenience of walking in the dark, this includes the front and entrance areas, as well as the main paths of the site. When designing utility lighting, there are several aspects to consider:
- choose high-quality, durable and frost-resistant equipment, it should be convenient and easy to use;
- keep the harmony between the lighting of the paths and the rest of the garden objects: it is extremely inconvenient to move along the path filled with bright light to the front entrance with subdued lighting. It is more comfortable to go from a shaded place to a light object. The maximum level of lighting is more appropriate on accent elements - the facade of the building, gazebos, patios or decorative compositions;
- arrange lighting fixtures so that the boundaries of the site, even in the darkest time, are easily visible, this creates psychological comfort.
decorative lighting
Night in the garden can be incredibly beautiful - a well-organized, well-thought-out lighting system gives the site a special charm, transforms the unique beauty of nature, creates a unique image of the garden, which is absolutely different from the view of the courtyard in the daytime.
The main task of decorative lighting is clear, the rest depends on your desires and the style of the site, but consider the following points:
- with the help of lighting, you can zone a spacious area, and visually expand the boundaries in a small area. When planning the power supply and selecting lighting fixtures, pay attention to this nuance - warm light brings the object closer, and cold light moves it away;
- it is better to provide resting places with soft diffused light, create an atmosphere of comfort;
- if you want to use multi-colored lamps in lighting, limit yourself to two or three colors that complement each other. Bright, white light can take the life out of your garden, use it carefully. Red and brown light is also better to use dosed;
- Various garlands and LED strips will help create a festive atmosphere, however, it is advisable to decorate individual objects with them and not oversaturate the space.
Purposes and objects of garden lighting
Why, in general, you need to illuminate the site, we figured it out, now we will note what exactly should be illuminated, and also highlight the options for highlighting various objects.
Facade
The house is the starting point for the design of the site, the main building affects the design solution for the entire territory, and a lot depends on how we select it. Now the decoration of the facade with light is gaining more and more popularity, because dark walls with light squares of windows are rather tired.
A country house does not have to be highlighted with a powerful spotlight; an artistic aspect can be put in the foreground, determined by the harmony between point and flood light. Special elements of the facade (columns, front door, stucco, etc.) can be highlighted with accent lighting. Thanks to the correct selection of accents, even the smallest and most inconspicuous house will take on a three-dimensional look.
To illuminate the facade, focusing and diffusing devices can be used, and the light sources themselves can be visible - wall or ordinary lanterns or hidden - when it is not clear where the light comes from (from the ground or from under the eaves).
Garden path lighting
Accompanying lighting of garden paths, paths, bridges and other paths is one of the main elements of the overall lighting picture of the site, they should be taken care of in the first place. It combines decorative and functional aspects.
Most often, low (no more than a meter) lamps on columns are used, and it is advisable to select models with matte light diffusers or directing light downwards. By the way, there are special park lamps pathlights, the luminous flux of which is directed downwards. Devices should be located on both sides and preferably in a checkerboard pattern.
Trees, shrubs and small architectural forms
You need to approach the lighting of the garden itself with imagination, here various options are possible with almost no restrictions. As always, we remember about harmony and conformity to style. You can install a lantern near any element or place a lighting fixture high on a tree, illuminating several objects or a three-dimensional composition with it at once. Trees and shrubs are best illuminated from below.
Try to correctly place accents, dream up, highlight those objects that remain inconspicuous during the day, and you will see what amazing colors the space will sparkle with, the night garden will acquire an individual look.
Which lighting fixture to choose, where to place it is up to you, but remember, there is a significant difference between how the lamp looks in the summer and how it looks in the winter: snow reflects light in a completely different way, so take care of the moddability of the lighting system in advance.
Water bodies and functional zones
The easiest way to highlight a body of water is to illuminate it with sealed halogen lamps equipped with green or blue filters to color the water.
The requirements for lighting the reservoir itself and the surrounding area are simple, they relate to safety and comfort. Guests often gather here, and garden lighting has a festive character, and instead of the usual lamps, it is better to use fiber-optic and LED lighting systems, which make it possible to create unique light compositions.
LED and fiber optic lighting systems do an excellent job of dividing the site into functional zones, a big plus of such systems is the simple control of the degree of illumination and color. In general, new technologies provide a lot of opportunities and options in terms of site lighting, so consider several options at once, coordinate them with the overall style of the site.
Types of street lamps
As already mentioned, of course, you can choose any lighting fixtures based on your taste. But, for example, ordinary park lights look great during the day, and at night they lose their view a little. Professional work with landscape lighting involves the use of special lighting equipment, which can be divided into three conditional groups.
- Lighting stairs and various fences. Ordinary matte lamps are quite suitable, but now you can increasingly find hidden lighting.
- Underwater lights. All of them have protection that allows the device to stay under water for a long time.
- Accompanying lighting and highlighting objects. This includes spotlights for directional illumination of objects. They come in two types - downlight (upper illumination) and uplight (lower illumination).
- Top illumination mounted on hills, most often used as emergency lighting or highlighting for facade elements. Downlights should be used carefully, installed so as not to create a dazzling effect, choose medium or low power, soft light is always perceived easier.
- Applies ideal for illuminating rooftops, facade elements and highlighting key garden objects - bushes, trees, arbors, playgrounds, etc. By illuminating an object from the bottom up, uplights highlight it. You can install such lamps directly into the ground, the position and direction can be easily adjusted.
Original lamps for the garden
Human imagination has no limits, the list of unique, original lighting fixtures is endless, we will single out the two most popular types.
- Floor lamps mounted vertically and equipped with matte light diffusers. Floor lamps in high-tech and retro styles are very popular.
- Spherical lamps from carbonate or polycarbonate give a subdued light, fit perfectly into almost any style of landscape design, and in areas of different sizes.
- Of the huge variety of solar-powered lamps, choosing the right option is not easy, rely on the specific requirements for it, and on the function that it will perform. Basically, all solar-powered lamps are mobile, they can be moved from one place to another.
- Due to the peculiarities of the climate, the use of luminaires recessed into the ground is difficult, in some places they will have to be abandoned.
- Motion sensors are useful devices to save energy, but if there are animals in the yard, the sensors should be placed higher than the height of the animal.
- If design comes first, ditch the conventional fixtures, come up with something yourself, look for interesting options in different stores, now you can find really unique pieces, or order what you need from experts in this field.
- To implement compositions from colored lighting, use LEDs, they allow you to create original lighting effects.
- To illuminate the garden in winter, overhead light or lighting fixtures towering above the snow cover are suitable.
It is advisable to think over the lighting system for the garden area at the initial stage of designing the site, then it will be more difficult, but not so much as to refuse to supply the site with light decor. Look at the proposed photos, mentally transfer some of the options to your garden, is it really possible to refuse such beauty?
Driven into cramped apartments, we have few opportunities to show our fantasies in the external design of buildings or adjacent areas. But on the other hand, in the country or in a country house, you can give free rein to your imagination and sense of style. You should not think that the joy of dreaming up and showing your creative abilities is available only to rich people and is feasible only on large plots. This is not true.
Of course, in a small area, most of which is occupied by a garden, there are fewer opportunities to turn around, but it can also be decorated with just a few strokes so that others simply gasp. Especially many opportunities in this regard are provided by landscape.
According to its purpose, outdoor lighting of the site is divided into four main types:
- security, creating the impression of the constant presence of the owners on the territory;
- functional - ensures safe movement around the site in the evening and at night;
- architectural - designed to emphasize and shade the beauty of buildings or sculptures
- decorative - designed solely to achieve aesthetic effects.
It is decorative lighting that can turn your site into a fairy-tale kingdom that opens up to the eye after dark. And often the area illuminated in the evening is strikingly different from the area that you are used to seeing during the day.
Darkness hides the distance. But with the right organization of lighting, your plot of several acres can visually turn into a huge fairy-tale space, where there is a place for adults who want to relax and enjoy nature, and for children who are simply delighted with the opportunity to play in this mysterious garden.
There are many objects on the site, the illumination of which will allow you to achieve the desired effect. 
These are primarily the following items:
- garden paths and paths;
- flower beds;
- alpine slides;
- bridges;
- pond;
- picturesque shrubs;
- large trees.
Not every site has ponds, walkways and even gazebos. But on the other hand, there are many plants around, invisible during the day, but very spectacular if they are properly illuminated in the evening.
If you are seriously concerned about the decorative lighting of the site, then the work usually begins with the organization of the illumination of the tracks. On the one hand, it is beautiful, and on the other hand, it eliminates the need to walk around the site with a flashlight. Even weak light sources located along the paths will allow you to move in all directions without the risk of running into the nearest bush or stepping on a flower bed.
After the design of the tracks, you can take on the lighting of plants. Do not get too carried away hanging lanterns and light bulbs. In terms of decorative lighting, it is better to “underlight” than to overdo it.
Even before you start lighting, you should carefully examine the site and everything that grows on it. It is necessary to outline the objects of lighting and carefully consider the issue of correct and safe. Still, the danger of electric shock always remains.
Especially carefully you need to consider the use of light sources for those people who have small children. After all, it is very difficult for them to explain why the wiring should in no case be touched, pulled and torn. In such a situation, the use of safe light sources should be considered, although this option may be more costly.
Since street lighting operates in extreme conditions, it must meet certain mandatory requirements.
Among these requirements:
- reliable protection against voltage surges;
- high degree of moisture protection;
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
- frost resistance (when using decorative lighting in winter);
- availability of a quality certificate;
- long warranty.
Practice shows that the best in this regard are electric lamps, which use low voltage.
Most often, the following types of lamps are used for illumination:
- conventional incandescent lamps - an undesirable option, especially for permanent use - often burn out, do not like dampness and consume a lot of energy;
- LED lamps - great for outdoor use, consume little electricity, have a long service life, environmentally friendly, easy to install;
- solar-powered lamps are quite expensive, but they are ideal for parents of small children, since they do not require wiring (although they do not shine for long - about 3 - 4 hours).
All these lamps are presented in several forms:
- ground lamps of various sizes and shapes;
- rack-mounted lanterns with shades of various shapes, installed mainly along the paths and to mark the boundaries of various sites;
- hanging lanterns that can be attached to various supports, walls, hung on large trees;
- street sconces - you won’t particularly illuminate plants with them, because you need to mount them on the wall;
- floodlights - can be installed directly on the ground or hung on supports;
- LED garlands with bulbs of various sizes.
The choice of a lamp and its location depend on what kind of effect you want to achieve:
- If your task is to demonstrate the beauty of the plant trunk, its texture and strength, then you should use a spotlight installed on the ground almost near the trunk itself. It must be directed from the bottom up. Light is better to use white.
- If you want to emphasize the beauty of a dense deciduous crown or a coniferous tree, then it is better to install the spotlight also on the ground, but at some distance from the tree. One lamp will not be enough, it is better to use three, then the tree will “show itself” in all its glory.
- In order to emphasize the beautiful silhouette of a shrub or large tree, the light source must be placed behind the plant.
- Indoor lighting, located in the center of the bush, will allow you to show the most interesting branches or other fragments of the tree, leaving most of the crown in the dark.
- You can also use the illumination from above using a lantern on a specially installed support.
- In order to create the effect of the airiness of a tree, it is necessary to fix the lamps on the branches, while directing them inside the crown.
- To illuminate from below small plant forms, flower beds and alpine slides, you can use ground lamps with an adjustable flow of light. LED or halogen devices are very good for this purpose.
- To illuminate small plants, there are commercially available spike luminaires equipped with a sharp wedge that is simply stuck into the ground. True, they are not used constantly, but only at the right time (for example, at the time of the party).
Garlands from are very diverse and are widely used in lighting design. They are divided into two types: "fruits" - garlands with rather large, but rarely located lanterns, and "leaves" - garlands with very small, but frequent bulbs.
LED sources are great for illuminating trees, as they are quite durable, weather resistant, have beautiful light, and can be of various shapes and colors.
Other types of landscape lights
If you do not want to make great efforts to organize the backlight, then you can simplify the task and purchase various types of decorative products specially made for this purpose:
- figurines glowing in the dark - they won’t give a lot of light, but they will allow you to designate the contours of plants or paths;
- illuminated "stones";
- ordinary tin cans, on the walls of which a pattern is punched, with a light bulb inside - this is an option for temporary use;
- beautiful bottles, with LED strip placed inside.
Thus, it is possible, corresponding to any tasks, and decorate the site in a completely budgetary way.
