My garden lighting shopping guide

Photo by Wyatt Ryan on Unsplash

Lighting is an important element of any home. Using it in the right way really matters. The way a space is lit can make a huge difference to how it looks and feels, as well as affect how practical it is. This is also true of your garden.

Using LED garden lights from LED Hut or another retailer, in the right way, can have a transformative effect. It can turn a space that is dark and unwelcoming, at night, into one where you long to go to relax at the end of a
hard day.

However, you do need to be a bit careful when buying garden lighting. There are many different types available and it is all too easy to make the wrong choice. To help you to avoid doing this, I have put together this simple shopping tips style post.

Photo by Manuel Will on Unsplash

Start with a plan
The first step is to work out what type of lighting you want to install. This is particularly important if you are planning to have each light wired into the electricity supply. The last thing you need is to buy some light to turn your new fern into a night-time feature, only to discover you need to run 10ft of wiring to supply power to the LED spotlight.

Putting together a basic plan to start with will help you to avoid exactly that situation. To help you, I suggest that you read this in-depth article. Planning out your basic garden lighting needs will also help you to identify which ones to buy. You can effectively put together a shopping list of what you will need and cost it out.

When putting together your plan, try to think about how you would like to use your garden space. For example, if you are planning to enjoy drinks in your hot tub, at night, you may want to install some deck lights near the edge of the tub. That way the surface on which you will be putting your drinks can be bathed in a gentle light. This will reduce the chances of your spilling your drink. Little details like that matter.

Only buy from reputable retailers
Given the fact that outdoor lighting is going to be exposed to the elements it is particularly important that you only buy from a reputable retailer. The last thing you need is for you, or someone else, to get an electric shock when the casing of cheap lighting corrodes and the wiring gets damp.

Running costs
When buying any form of lighting it is important to factor in the cost of running and maintaining it. The longer the light is likely to be left on the more important doing this is. A lamppost style light that is left on all night can cost as much as £35 a year to run, using traditional bulbs. So, it makes sense to install one that can use LED bulbs instead or one that is fitted with a sensor that ensures it only comes on when it is dark.

When it comes to anything electrical, safety has to be a consideration. That is why you should set aside enough money to pay a professional to install your outdoor lighting.

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