Outdoor lighting in the garden and on the patio - what you should consider

If you want to create an atmospheric atmosphere on your patio, or good lighting in your driveway or entrance, there is a wide range of lights to choose from today. Which type you should choose depends on what you want to achieve with your outdoor lighting.

In this article, we will tell you more about the different lighting options and what they are usually used for.

When looking for outdoor lighting, it is first and foremost important to determine what you want to achieve and what conditions you have to work with in the space.

• What do you want to highlight with the light?
  Is it a beautiful tree that will be in the spotlight or do you want to light up an entire patio? What you want to illuminate is important for choosing a luminaire.

• How bright does the light need to be?
  The strength of the light source is measured in lumens (lm). The higher the lumens, the stronger the light you get from the lamp. For example, the brightness of a spot connected to the mains is significantly higher than the brightness of a solar lamp that is intended to illuminate parts of a flower bed.

• Is there a socket on the space or do you need an extension cord?
  Alternatively, maybe solar lamps will do?

• Do you want warm or cool light?
  The color temperature of light is measured in Kelvin (K). Warm light (around 2700–3000 K) creates an atmospheric and cozy atmosphere and is suitable for the garden, patio or terrace where you spend time and want to have a good time. Cold light (around 5000 K) creates a colder, more bluish light and is mostly used in places where visibility and safety are the most important, such as at the entrance or garage. Perhaps you would like to be able to control the color temperature yourself? There are several smart solutions on the market today that allow you to control this yourself via an app.

• How do you want to turn the light on and off? 
  With a twilight sensor/twilight relay, the light turns on automatically when it starts to get dark outside. Timers are another option, where the light turns on at a given time. In addition, you have lights that are turned on using a motion sensor, great for a driveway or at the entrance where you want the light to turn on when someone moves nearby. There are also, of course, smart solutions that you can add to your smart home. 

Different types of luminaires are also used in different ways. If you are going to highlight a tree in the garden, you might be looking for light strings that you can hang in the crown of the tree or spotlights that can be adjusted along the trunk? If you are instead going to show the way along the paths in the garden, you might want garden spotlights or bollards.

There are a wide variety of different types of outdoor lighting fixtures. The ones we list here provide a general overview of the most common types that you will often come across when planning garden lighting.

Solar lighting is practical, as you don't have to worry about electricity. This type of lamp has a built-in battery that is charged by the sun. The sun's rays hit the solar panel on the lamp, which converts the energy into electricity. When it gets dark, the light turns on. 

What is it suitable for? This type of outdoor lighting is not nearly as strong as a regular spotlight, but you can buy several of them and place them strategically to create atmosphere or to direct the eye to certain areas of the outdoor space. For example, it can be nice to place solar lamps along a garden path, or a solar string along a small fence or railing. 

See all our solar lamps

A strong and directional light source.

What is it suitable for? Lighting a driveway, entrance or selected plants and details in the garden, such as a fountain, a beautiful tree or a sculpture.

Lights placed at ground level to illuminate something from below. 

What is it suitable for? Lighting vertical elements in the garden, such as trees, shrubs or buildings, to highlight them and create an exciting effect in the outdoor area.

Light that is placed high up and shines down. 

What is it suitable for? Lighting of paths in the garden, stairs or the ground in general. Can also be used to create a dynamic effect on the facade.

A post or pillar with lights on it. 

What is it suitable for? Lighting driveways, paths and paths in the garden, so you can see where you are going to walk or drive.

Lanterns used outdoors to create atmosphere and decorate. 

What is it suitable for? Decoration on the terrace, balcony, at the entrance and in general on the patio. 

See all our outdoor lanterns

A series of small lights that are linked together on a cable. 

What is it suitable for? As decorative lighting on the patio, for example on a railing or on a bush. For many people associated with Christmas lighting, but light chains can be used to set the mood all year round - there are many different types. 

See all our light chains

Luminaire that is mounted on the facade. 

What is it suitable for? General lighting at the entrance and as a decorative element on the facade to create a subdued illuminated environment.

Luminaire that is installed in, for example, patio flooring or paving stones. 

What is it suitable for? Lighting a pool, steps or paths and hallways, to provide a subtle and soft lighting that highlights a specific area.

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