Post Lights Are Great For a Good-Looking Garden

If you’re planning a garden, don’t forget about the lighting. Consider all the options, including solar power, and weigh up all the possibilities in terms of style and type, from post lights and spotlights, to those that will provide you with accent lighting.

Remember that lighting professionals generally distinguish between two different types of lighting; one that is practical or functional, and the other that is decorative or just for effect. But garden lighting should be both practical and decorative, and you will find that simply a couple of strategically placed post lights will immediately bring your garden alive. They will also add an element of security and make the garden a safer place to walk in at night.

The layout of your property will determine exactly what your lighting needs are. For example if you have a garage alongside your house you may not have to walk along a pathway to get inside, and a single light attached to the outside of the house might be sufficient. But if you park in the street, and have to pass bushes and dark corners where potential intruders could hide, you will need to consider how to make the area safe.

Either way, there is something comforting about being able to see outside when the sun has gone down - and the only way to do this is to install outdoor lighting.

If you’re in the planning stages of your garden, start by identifying areas that need to be lit. Then consider what type of lighting would be best. Direct lighting will cast a shaft of light in a particular direction, while overall general lighting relies on a number of fittings positioned to light up a bigger area. Post lights are ideal for general lighting, particularly if several units are used along walkways and paths. They may also be used for accent lighting, to create a dramatic or simply a beautiful effect. Spotlights will give you a more direct effect, lighting up a feature or perhaps a special plant or tree.

Then there is the choice of power, and you will need to decide whether to use electricity or solar lights. As more and more people do everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint, electricity is no longer the obvious choice. Before you make a decision, look at the solar options and compare these with electrical options. You may be surprised that solar will save you money and still provide you with an excellent source of power that can transform your garden and help to keep you safe.

So what exactly is a light post? Traditionally a post light was a street light and it was powered by gas. But that was in the 19th century. Today post lights are made in various styles, although the traditional look is still extremely popular, particularly those made from low-maintenance aluminium. A solar-powered, gas-light look-alike design is available that will give you a classic and elegant garden feature. They come with one, two or three lamp heads, depending on the effect you want to achieve.

Single lamp solar-powered post lights are also available on shorter posts, some about half the height of the usual lamp post, and others on an even shorter post that you can mount onto an existing pillar or onto your deck. There are even solar lamp posts that you can mount onto the wall of your house or garage. Combine these with solar spotlights and you will have a magical garden in an instant. More on outdoor solar lights