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Lighting can be used to subtly enrich surroundings or emphasise unique features such as trees and walls. Simply by offsetting natural colour tones against contemporary feature lighting, beautiful complimentary schemes can be achieved.

Outdoor lighting themes

Consistency is a vital element when planning a lighting scheme, high levels of uniformity can be used to draw attention to the hues and nuances of a garden. Simple concepts such as groups of bollards have the ability to add character to otherwise simple pathways and walkways, by helping to promote the intricacy of their designs. JCCs architectural range for example, has been designed to match in colour temperature, colour finish and performance, helping to create both functional and attractive outdoor areas.

Aesthetics

When choosing light fittings for an application, it is imperative to consider the look and style of the fixture. The fittings must effortlessly integrate into your gardens design, by blending in with the environment during the day and highlighting key features at night. Using versatile fittings such as up/down directional lights can produce noticeable shifts in balance, providing unique detailing that is absent from the usual rigid fittings.

An important part of garden aesthetics is sight lines, this relates to how we perceive light from different angles, naturally the eye is drawn to straight lines, giving us our initial impression of a space. A clear understanding of how angles affect our perception is key to achieving the desired look. Stylish wall bar lighting can be used to create a crisp downward projection, by accentuating this straight-line effect you can emphasise feature walls and highlight prominent landscapes.

A number of exterior fittings are designed to provide the greatest light output possible, to accomplish this without using more power, an obvious choice can be to have cool/natural white colour temperatures that provide a brighter light. However, this can have adverse effects on the human eye, nature and the surrounding area due to unnecessary light pollution. Ultimately the lighting selected should naturally compliment the features of your garden. Matching finishes and colour temperatures can help to establish a uniformed look across your outdoor area. The Architectural Exterior range provides an environmentally friendly 3000K creating a more inviting and comfortable light source, whilst simultaneously avoiding the disturbance of natural habitats.

Practicality 

As well as being stylish, it is important that light fittings remain practical, part of this is ensuring that they offer flexibility in mounting options and fitting sizes. Directional wall mounted fittings produce wider beam angles, helping to spread light across feature walls. Whereas wall spots or spike lights use adjustable heads that channel light output, creating focused beams that can be directed at specific focal points.

Some areas require light to be distributed in multiple directions to maximise the area the light covers. This ensures a higher level of efficiency and functionality, meaning individual fittings are able to cover a wider surface area, omitting the need for a greater number of fittings.

Durability

Durability is an important factor when considering the installation of garden lighting. With the risk of corrosion, water damage and general wear and tear, caused by the ever changing weather and other elements. IP ratings are an important part of this process, as they highlight the compatibility of the chosen fitting. JCC’s Architectural Exterior Range uses a die-cast aluminium construction and high IP ratings (IP54 and IP65) to ensure that all internal components receive a high level of protection against water ingress. Designed with durable powder coated die cast aluminium all the fittings in the Architectural Exterior range are protected against salt corrosion and supported by a 3-year warranty or 2-year product guarantee.

Where can outdoor lighting be used?

There are many areas where outdoor lighting is suitable, for example; commercial locations use it to continually advertise their business, homeowners use it to highlight areas of their beautifully landscaped gardens and industrial/local authority require durable fittings that can provide enough light output to adhere to health and safety regulations. Therefore, it is important to choose a range that offers a wide amount of versatility. The Architectural Exterior Range is an extensive selection of outdoor fittings that are built to provide substantial light output whilst enhancing the aesthetics of a landscaped environment.

Conclusion

There are many considerations, when selecting the most appropriate outdoor lighting, with a wide range of options available, depending on the design and style of the area. To create mood lighting, LED lanterns or decorative wall lanterns are best suited, providing a more eye-catching approach to garden lighting. Alternatively, for areas requiring more practical lighting solutions, stylish LED floodlights and bollards offer a more functional option, providing consistent lighting that contributes to the safety of your outdoor area.

To ensure you are choosing the right fitting there are numerous factors, depending on the style and layout of the garden that can influence this process. Each landscape offers its own unique challenges that can be overcome by careful planning. Practicality, durability and aesthetics must all be explored to find the most appropriate solution for your outdoor area.

JCC has a wide range of products that provide both practical and stylish solutions helping you to achieve polished lighting designs. The Architectural Exterior Range has a large selection of contemporary fittings, combining a mixture of both integrated and non-integrated options, providing flexibility for those looking to light both modern and traditional applications.