Everybody love’s their gardens and backyards and you can turn yours into a stunning showpiece with the right choice of outdoor lighting. Whether it’s a small courtyard, balcony or lawn, you can create an enchanting oasis at home.

Consider using LED lights as they last almost 30 times longer than standard bulbs and are great for areas where lights are left on for long periods of time.

If you live in a coastal location, we recommend you purchase outdoor lighting that is either made of alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, or polycarbonate, to increase its resistance to the elements and durability. But remember, even if you do buy stainless steel, the fitting will still require maintenance every three months in the form of cleaning and treating with a neutral oil. Importantly, don’t overdo it. Less is more.

Adequate exterior lighting can deter thieves and can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Install flush lighting fixtures on your deck or patio to increase safety and security when walking around after dark. You can also direct and welcome visitors to your home with path lights along the walkway.

Avoid installing path lights on both sides of the path so as not to create an airplane landing strip effect. Position the path lights at the beginning of the walkway and near individual steps or stairs for best visibility. For a feature on the outside of your home, consider traditional coach lights on either side of the door to add that homely touch.

You can create a stunning entertaining setting with feature lighting in different outdoor areas. Be sure to conceal any light source by tucking the fittings behind a bush, branch or rock. Spotlights highlight garden features such as trees, statues or waterfalls and are especially effective when directed from the ground upwards. Be sure the beam does not create any glare you can see.

Design a feature: Flood lighting is fantastic for highlighting your house or, for a more dramatic look, position on large trees to illuminate the outdoor area.

Safety and caring for outdoor lighting:

Never use indoor lights for outdoor applications

Clean exposed outdoor bulbs every 3 months to remove any dirt and pollen. If bulbs are dirty the light

efficiency dramatically decreases

Check cords and electrical outlets when you clean your bulbs to ensure efficiency

If you have children or pets ensure any loose cords are tucked out of sight to avoid tripping and other

hazards and safeguard pets against the temptation to chew electrical cords

Install simple switches in easily accessible locations near door or windows. Mounted indoors, you can

easily switch them on and off without stepping outside

Use motion detectors to automatically turn on when someone approaches your front door or garden path. Most modern sensors have the ability to be adjusted so that they don’t turn on when pets or branches move past the sensor. You can also set the light level so that they only activate after sunset, which saves money!

Timers are perfect for automatically turning your lights on at a specified time

MOOLCHANDS LIGHTING always strives to bring you the best consultancy and the best advice possible when it comes to any type of lighting to enhance safety, beauty, elegance and economy and above all ‘value for money’.

Check out their latest range of outdoor lighting which can be installed at homes and hotels at their two well-appointed showrooms at (Main Showroom) 375, Galle Road, Colombo 3 & our new showroom at 84, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 3, (next to Mango Tree restaurant and Oriflame at the “Pittala Handiya”).

Pics courtesy of Moolchands