Whether you want to light up your veggie patch or create a cosy setting for summer barbecues, it's easy to be led down the garden path when it comes to buying garden lights.
In this complete guide, we'll walk you through all of the key features to look for in reliable, long-lasting lights. From material quality to power sources, we're here to help you navigate the ins and outs of outdoor lights so that you can make an informed decision about your next purchase.
Why Garden Lighting Matters
Garden lights don't just make your space safer and more functional — they also help create ambience and atmosphere.
An outdoor space with a well-considered lighting plan can improve the value of your property as it highlights your home's architectural features. It can also encourage you to entertain more and spend more time outside, therefore benefiting your overall well-being.
Choose the Right Type of Light for Your Garden
The first step in finding the right outdoor lighting for your home is to think about why you need it. Answering these three questions can help you focus on the lighting options you're looking for.
Do you want functionality or ambience?
What do you need your outdoor light fittings to do? Will they be purely decorative or do they need to be functional, say to light up an outdoor area for entertaining or make your driveway safer? Do you need path lights or deck lights for safety? Do you want security lighting for dark corners or garden spotlights to light up your entire garden? Or do you want warm lighting with an inviting glow from string lights or fairy lights, festoon lights, or post lights?
Does your outdoor lighting need to be on all night?
Secondly, do you want your lights to stay on all the time, or do you want motion sensor lights? Motion detection can be particularly helpful with things like pathway lights or wall lights near the front door, but it is not available with all types of lighting fixtures or power sources.
How important are aesthetics?
Thirdly, what do you want your lights to look like? Do they need to match the interior design or architectural features of your home? If this is important to you, you'll need to find a supplier with a large range of different types of lights that can be mixed and matched.
Check for Durability and Weatherproofing
The materials your garden lights are made of can make a big difference to how long they last. While plastic is common, those made from stainless steel or brass are better able to withstand UV rays, corrosion, and accidental damage. Also, look for additional features like shatterproof bulbs and UV-resistant cables that will ensure longevity.
At Fusion Lighting, we have a large range of garden lights for all situations, all of which are made of high-quality materials and have these features to ensure they will last for many, many years.
Why IP ratings are important
Garden lights need to be able to withstand rain and other weather conditions if they are to last a long time. Therefore, you should always check the IP rating of outdoor lighting before you buy. IP stands for ingress protection and the ratings have two digits, from 0 to 6. The first digit is how well protected against solid objects, like dust, the light fitting is. The second is how well it's protected from water and moisture.
IP44 means that the lights are suitable for outdoor use but, ideally, you should look for IP65 (complete protection against dust and low-pressure water jets) lights to ensure their durability and water resistance. If you are looking for garden lights that will be completely submerged in pools or water features, they will need an IP rating of at least 68.
Power Options and Energy Efficiency
Solar-powered lights are a popular option when shopping for garden lights because they are inexpensive and readily available. However, there are several things to consider about how they compare to reliable and energy-efficient low-voltage lights, especially over the long term.
How much natural daylight is available?
Solar lights work best when they receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you are considering buying solar-powered lights, make sure you factor this into your decision, especially if the solar panel is fixed to the light itself. This can be problematic if, for example, you want solar string lights under a covered outdoor space. Any solid objects, like roofs, retaining walls or fences, can pose a problem when you are relying on the sun's energy.
The best solar lights are those with a movable solar panel that can change position throughout the seasons. If your garden lights come on at dusk or are motion-detection operated, solar lights may not receive enough sunlight or have enough battery life for your lights to work all night long.
Another thing to consider about solar-powered garden lights is light output. While most solar lights use energy-efficient LED bulbs, if they are only getting indirect sunlight throughout the day, they may not be suitable for some applications, such as security lighting or for an outdoor living area.
Will solar lights be cost-effective in the long run?
You should also be aware that outdoor solar lights of the cheaper kind don't last very long, and once they stop working, they go straight to landfill. So, while solar garden lights may seem better for the environment, most of the time, they're not, simply because their battery life is often not great and bulbs usually can't be replaced either.
Looking for solar lights with rechargeable batteries can help you extend their usefulness but, in many cases, opting for reliable low-voltage garden lights may be a better investment. Low-voltage garden lights offer brighter light yet are energy efficient, and if you purchase high-quality lights from a reputable supplier, they will last for a very long time. This means you only need to install garden lights once and you can enjoy their benefits for many years to come.
Installation and Maintenance Considerations
Before you go ahead and install garden lights at your home or business, you need to ensure they conform to lighting regulations that limit their impact on your neighbours. They also need to be safe, secure, and easy to maintain.
Look for features like replaceable bulbs over sealed units, companies that also sell hanging kits to fit festoon lights or fairy lights quickly, safely, and easily, and what, if any, after-sales support is available should you need help with installation or troubleshooting your garden lights.
DIY Installation vs Professional Installation
While 240V garden lights need to be installed by a licensed electrician, low-voltage garden lights are safe for homeowners to install themselves, and their use lowers the risk of injuries or property damage.
When shopping for garden lights, it's important to look for companies that offer advice and support to help you install them safely.
Some companies may even take care of the installation for you.
Style and Design That Matches Your Outdoor Space
Most people would prefer if their lights match the aesthetics of their home but frankly, some garden lights are just plain ugly!
Look for companies that offer a wide range of styles and materials because there are some beautiful garden lights available if you know where to look.
Colour temperature can also have an enormous effect on the look of your lights, so opt for warm white for a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Some lights are also dimmable, which can improve their functionality. For example, festoon lights in a dining area that can be dimmed after dinner.
The last thing to think about when it comes to shopping for garden lights is how your garden lighting design will look. Garden lighting is best when layered, so you need to think about where the lights will be viewed from and which direction they will face, among other things.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now that you've read our guide on what to look for when shopping for garden lights, hopefully you will avoid making these common mistakes:
- Buying cheap lights that fail within a few months.
- Over-lighting or under-lighting an area.
- Not buying lights with high-quality cables and wires.
- Buying lights with the wrong colour temperature.
- Ignoring IP ratings.
- Not planning your garden lighting design correctly.
- Buying lights with ugly or poor-quality bulbs that can't be replaced.
Final Checklist Before You Buy
Here's what to ask yourself before you go out and spend your hard-earned cash on inferior garden lights:
- What effect am I looking for?
- What's the best power source for me?
- How and where will I install lights, and how many?
- Is the style I'm after within my budget?
- Is there any after-sales support should something go wrong with my lights?
Where to Buy Quality Garden Lights in Australia
Fusion Lighting makes shopping for high-quality, long-lasting garden lights easy. We have a large range, so whether you're looking for festoon lights to bring ambience to your outdoor entertaining area or deck lights to make your space safer, we have many beautiful and easy-to-install options for you to choose from.
Visit our website to view our entire range or call us on 1300 463 735 to speak to a garden lighting specialist today.
