More than just a functional insertion, garden lighting enhances the ambient nature of the space. Embedded in our being is an appreciation of sunrise and sunset, those dramatic scenes cast beyond. Garden lighting is our way of mimicking this and extending those moments the sun displays and dances for us.
Accepting that lighting is both functional and aesthetic, we can capture this essence and place it strategically to create mood, give a sense of direction, or highlight a zone to become a feature.
Why do you wish to add lighting to your garden?
There may not be much explaining required beyond, "I like it!"
There is a common theme when talking with clients as to their reasoning for it being simply to add interest and for safety reasons.
But for you, it may hold more significant memories, like the lighting on the stone wall outside the restaurant of the small Italian village where you had incredible truffle pasta (okay yes, I am cheating as that's one of mine!).
My wife & daughter as we leave the restaurant, there is soft lighting as the sun goes down.
Now you take lighting from memorable moments and add it to your garden and what do you get?
You infuse joy from your past into the present and accentuate the feeling.
What are some of your memories?
The common reason people install Garden Lighting
When people request their landscape designer to add lighting (as almost all clients do nowadays), it has to do with aesthetics. There is even a term, 'Mood Lighting', which doesn't need explaining as to its purpose.
When you position lighting well in your garden, it enhances or creates an atmosphere. That tends to be soft and inviting with features accentuated for the eye to rest upon.
When you recall some movie you have seen that had an avenue of lights leading to grand doors entering the building, there is a sense of being drawn in and at the same time, respect being shown to you the visitor, that you are important. Take a moment to imagine walking down a path with bollard lights on either side. As you do, do you feel drawn by the lights to follow and arrive at a pleasant destination?
Likewise, if you recall seeing a tree with lights coming from the ground, illuminating the branches and trunk, it is like a sculpture to be gazed upon and admired.
Lighting can conjure such depth of emotion. It's for this reason it is almost a given that it be added to your wish list for your future garden.
Getting the Function Right
The flip side of the coin to aesthetics is of course functionality. The following tend to be the main reasons behind why certain lighting is chosen when considering functional reasoning:
- Lighting a path for safety reasons so you see where you are walking
- Making sure certain areas are well-lit for security reasons
- Adding lighting for practical reasons, eg a light above the bbq so you can see if the meat is cooked
Types of Lights
Path Light
Spike Light
Wall Light
Flood Light
Deck/inground Light
Step Light
pond Light
Grazing Light
Strip Lighting
Festoon Lighting
Which Supplier do you Recommend
Lighting Options are based in Mornington and Geelong.
Why do we source our lights from Lighting Options?
As a landscape company we have enough knowledge to install lighting but not to the level of someone who deals with lights every day has. Hence why we go to lighting Options to get the best advice possible.
A word on quality
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What can be done if the design provided is inadequate.
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Additional reading on design & landscaping in Melbourne & Mornington Peninsula...
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