Create a winter wonderland with our Festoon harnesses

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are falling from the trees and soon autumn’s abundance of colour will fade to the greys and whites of winter. The colder months are a great time for cosying up on the sofa with a nice cup of something warm – but are also when lighting becomes more important!

Some people can forget about their gardens in the winter and we think it’s such a shame! During these colder months, when we celebrate Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year, your garden can be a massive part of your celebrations!

We think you should celebrate the turning of the seasons by lighting up your garden with subtle or spectacular lighting options! We can help you light up your winter wonderland for the autumn and winter months, because we think is a time to let your garden really shine (literally)!

Christmas especially is an extraordinary and magical time of year, and being around friends and family is one of the joys of the season. You can truly enhance your festivities with our range of outdoor Christmas lights! Safe to use, excellent value and beautifully effective, our Festoon Collection is second to none.

Whether snow is on the ground yet or not, you can give your visitors a wintry welcome by adorning your windows and doors, fences and trees, decking and porches, with these beautiful lights that offer all the shimmer and sparkle the festive season deserves!

  

See our stunning range of Festoon lighting to transform your garden this winter here.

5 jobs to get done in the garden this autumn!

We hate to admit it, but the summer days are well and trying coming to a close. As we wave goodbye to the long evenings lounging in the garden, we must turn our attention to preparing and tending to our gardens for the cooler months.

So what can you do to keep your garden looking kempt this autumn? Here are our 5 essential garden jobs you should get done this autumn...

1 – Cut those hedges!

We recommend pruning your hedges for the last time in autumn to prevent decaying if damp should accumulate. Only cut deciduous hedges back as far as you can without creating any holes, as these will not grow back over the winter months, which will leave the hedge looking bare.

2 – Prep those Lawns!

During the winter the wet weather, low temperatures and feeble sunshine all affect your lawn – which is why they need some TLC before the cold spell begins! When the autumn leaves start to fall, they should be cleared from the lawn regularly so not to deprive your lawn of light. We recommend that you mow your lawn for the last time around the beginning of November, and be sure not to cut in shorter than 5cm, as longer grass can make better use of less sunlight.

3 - Protect those plants

Plants that are sensitive to frost, including beds and roses, should be covered with twigs, branches and leaves - or wrapped in bubble wrap. We recommend bringing any pot plants indoors or place them in a sheltered position to protect.

4 - Frost damage prevention

So that frozen water cannot cause any damage, it’s a good idea to switch off any water connections, empty taps and watering devices you have for the colder months. If you have any water features, dismantle any pumps and, if necessary, install an anti-ice pump.

5 - Lights

We could write a whole blog without mentioning garden lighting, could we? Now is the time to make your garden glow with beautiful outdoor lighting. Our range of garden lighting includes floodlights, security lighting, wall lights, garden lanterns as well as festoon lights and decking solutions! Having worked in commercial outdoor lighting for over 40 years, manufacturing and supplying exterior lighting and street furniture to councils, architects & designers, we really know the ins and outs of garden lighting!

We’re passionate about garden lights and landscape lighting and are more than happy to offer you some of the best inside tips and suggestions from our previous projects.

If you want to add a glow to your garden this autumn give us a call - 01773 541 003

Exciting new products at The Garden Lighting Shop!

Today’s blog is dedicated to some exciting new products we have for you! As you know, we are forever adding new products to our stock, keeping you right up to date with all the latest in the world of garden lighting... So what do we have for you today...

We have introduced two state of the art Solar Powered LED PIR operated floodlights to our existing security lighting range!

The Mightylite Solar Powered LED Floodlight is the perfect fitting to be used in areas where a mains power supply is unavailable ore unstable. These lights are absolutely ideal for lighting pathways, trails, driveways, perimeter security and many other locations!

Both models are equipped with an Intelligent Light Control Battery Management System maintaining the battery efficiency!

Available in both 8w and 28w versions they both offer the perfect solution where mains power supply or unstable. Ideal for lighting pathways, trails driveways, perimeter and many other locations. They are also -

Weatherproof

The fitting and solar panel are completely weatherproof and offer a IP 65 protection rating

PIR Sensored

The PIR sensor will detect movement up to 10m away! A passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor) is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view. They are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors.

Digital Charge Controller

This ensures maximum charge to the battery without over-charging

Fully Certified

This fitting is fully certified with UL, CE, RoHS and LVD approvals, ERP compliant & European Approvals!

• Product Specification
• Wattage: 28W
• Lumens: 2300
• Colour Temperature: 5400K
• Operating Temperature: -30˚C- + 60˚C
• Lithium Battery: 2AH Internal Battery
• Running Time: Dusk til Dawn
• Voltage: 4.2V
• Min. Light: 150 Lumens
• Med. Light: 300 Lumens
• Max. Light: 2300 Lumens
• Solar Panel: 10W
• Solar Module Efficiency: 17.1%
• Solar Max. Voltage: 6.12V Mpp (Maximum Power Point)

Take a closer look at these wonderful lights here, or give us a call on - 01773 541 003 –if you want any more info!

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Things you didn’t know about LED’s

Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are the biggest thing to hit lighting since the electric light was invented! The best thing about them is, undoubtedly, the fact that they use up to 85% less energy than conventional bulbs.

Today’s LED bulbs can be six-seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights and cut energy use by more than 80 percent. Unlike incandescent bulbs - which release 90 percent of their energy as heat - LEDs use energy far more efficiently with little wasted heat. LED technology allows for pure, simple and beautiful design while remaining energy efficient.

An LED is a type of solid-state lighting that uses a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. Good-quality LED bulbs can have a useful life of 25,000 hours or more - meaning they can last more than 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs! That is a life of more than three years if run constantly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

LEDs are used in a wide range of applications because of their unique characteristics, which include compact size, ease of maintenance, resistance to breakage, and the ability to focus the light in a single direction instead of having it go every which way.

In short, LED lights are very long-lasting and cost effective to run. They work particularly well as recessed lights in paving and decking, or for highlighting steps and changes in level around the garden. If you’re keen to learn more about LED lights for your garden, then just give The Garden Lighting Shop a call on 01773 541003. 

We would love to give you some professional advice from a real person! You can also have a look at our LED light ranges here.

Lighting solutions for small gardens

If you want to enjoy your garden after dark, lighting is the obvious answer! However it can be difficult to get the balance of light and shade right, especially in a smaller outdoor space. Here are some of our top tips for lighting a smaller garden...

Shatter Resistant 10w LED Compact Miniature Floodlight

LED lights are long-lasting and cost effective to run. They work really well as recessed lights in paving and decking, highlighting steps and changes in level on or around the house and terrace.

Used in moderation, they work well to highlight pots and planters. The probably won’t provide enough light to dine out or entertain by, but used in combination with other lights in the garden they can work really well.

LED Garden Spotlights

Plants tend to soak up light in a small garden, and it’s surprising how much it takes to highlight a plant or tree effectively! It’s important to highlight plants properly. Uplights, like these Garden Spotlights, are the best for highlighting plants. These are perfect suitable for the illumination flower beds, shrubs and plants effectively in a smaller garden.

Extendable Rubber Festoon Harness

String lights are perfect for mapping out an area or for decorating in a small garden, and can be used to great effect. The smaller your garden is the less bright, harsh lighting you will need. The effect you should try to achieve when lighting your small garden is not one of a harsh glare of light over the entire scheme, but one where points of interest are highlighted.

From pretty hanging lights to coloured LED lighting, we have it all at The Garden Lighting Shop and we are proud of our selection. We know how to make your small garden glow like it deserves to! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us for some advice.

A few of our favourite colourful lights

Sometimes coloured lights can look tacky and unattractive, but here at the Garden lighting shop we have a fantastic range of high quality lighting options the can add a touch of colour to your outdoor space that are far from tacky.

We thing subtle colours in garden lights are best, and these options give a glow that with look stunning in any garden!

1. Extendable Rubber Festoon Harness with Coloured Golf Ball Lamps

Ideal for both permanent and temporary outdoor lighting schemes such as festive displays, outdoor parties, patios, weddings and all manner of other functions.

Code: C25/15COLGOLF
Price: £57.00

2. Low Voltage Coloured Mini Lantern Party Light Set

Code: 4164-500

Price: £29.95

A popular product for outdoor party and festive applications! This set consists of 40 miniature lanterns with coloured lenses, spaced every 250mm offers a 9.75m lighting display.

3. Coloured Dichroic Halogen Lamps

Available in five vibrant colours, these 12v Pro-colour Dichroic Low Voltage lamps are suitable for interior and exterior applications. The colour surface of the glass will not crack or flake offering constant colour throughout the life of the lamp at a 38 deg beam angle!

Price: £2.95

4. Coloured Festoon Lamps

These lamps are suitable for 2330 Commercial Grade Festoon Harness, available is red, blue, yellow and green, creating a beautiful multi coloured glow!

Code: 2683-521

Price: £1.25

5. Shatter Resistant Compact Miniature Floodlight

This miniature highly efficient floodlight is offered with an RGB auto change led light source offering energy efficient automatic colour changing lighting at its very best. Great for interesting and effective illumination of landscapes, facades and architectural features both indoors and out.

Code: FL10MC

Price: £31.65

6. Shatter Resistant 10w Coloured LED Compact Miniature Floodlight

This range of miniature highly efficient floodlights is offered with a choice of decorative coloured led light sources offering the opportunity to create stunning coloured lighting effects. Ideal for the illumination of landscapes areas, facades and architectural features! A choice of red, blue, yellow and green is available. 

Top garden lighting tips

We’re taking it back to basics with this month’s blog! Here are some of our top garden lighting tips to get you started with making your garden glow.

Bump up the romance

Our stunning festoon and hanging lighting can really bring your garden to life. It can create a romantic and peaceful ambiance and is rarely expensive to install. 

Layer your Light

To make your yard look as beautiful at night as it does during the day, landscape lighting is essential. Here at the Garden Lighting shop we'll show you how to combine ambient lighting with task lights for a beautiful look and security and safety. We can also give you advice on how to incorporate accent lighting such as spotlights, strip lights, leds, festoon lighting and water-feature lighting.

Light up your resources

Add some drama by spotlighting a tree or other garden focal point. Spotlights can really accentuate plants and tree trunks and can create a pleasing glow on other garden foliage in the evening.

Guide the Way

It’s a great idea to use garden lighting to lead guests to your home to your front door. A trail of lights set along the pathway can give a magical look. We recommend that you avoid placing the lights all in a straight line as this can create a bit of a runway effect. Remember t combine safety with attractiveness for all entry lighting - guide visitors to the front door with welcoming lights that sufficiently illuminate any stairs or other potential hazards.

I can’t find your house?

Use lighting to ensure that your house number or name is well lit at night time for both safety and practicality. It will be easy to find after dark by both visiting guests and emergency services.

Solar

Decorative solar-powered landscape lights require no wiring, making them super easy and safe to use and install. Simply place them in a sunny spot, and when the sun goes in, they will start to shine. We have a huge range here at the Garden Lighting shop and will of course advice you on selecting yours.

From pretty hanging lights to coloured LED lighting, we have it all at The Garden Lighting Shop and we are proud of our selection. We only sell brand new, high quality products direct from the manufacturer and all products offered on our website can be purchased directly from the site or by phoning us or if you wish you can send your orders by email, fax or letter. 

We know how to make your glow like it deserves to, so if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us for some advice. We are more than happy to help with all of your lighting needs! 

Lighting your garden couldn't be easier.

Our most recent product to hit the store is our Easy Connect lighting system.  If you have ever wanted a relay of lights ranging from spots to standing lanterns then this is the product for you.

The Easy Connect circuit can light up your whole garden from just one power source. You won’t need multiple adapters from your house electrics which risk getting wet.

It begins with the first cable being plugged into a mains connection. From there you’ll attach either a T-bar, Y-bar or X-bar connector and from that your first light, maybe it’ll be a tower pedestal lamp at the beginning of your pathway. From the spare slot from the first connector you’ll attach another extension cable, then connector and another light.

These products are safe, quick and simple to install and operate utilizing a quality range of double insulated light fittings. This means they are safe to use in any weather. There is no risk of shock even when touching the fittings whilst they are plugged in.

Due to the connecting nature of these lights they can span up to far distances. If you have to light a large area perhaps landscape gardens then Easy Connect can cover up to 300meters with no need for a transformer.

To have full control over your circuit of lights, simply connect a control unit at the beginning. The lights can then be turned on and off with ease and can also be dimmed with a remote.

A selection of lights is available to be connected to the system from spots to lanterns to tall lamps. This can be further customised by the use of coloured bulbs to create a unique colour setting.

You can purchase the EasyConnect lighting and accessories here or read more information on the product on our website.  If you would like to find out more about outdoor lighting, contact us on 01773 541 003.

Festive festoons

Although many of us have plenty of experience when it comes to creating festive cheer with Christmas decorations, each year always seems to bring about something new in the way of wreaths, tree hangings and ornaments.

Every Christmas tree has its fair share of lights, having become an integral part of modern day Christmas experiences ever since their first invention in 1882, when Thomas Edison decided Christmas needed that extra sparkle when he decided to hang his innovative light bulbs outside his home. But what about going that extra mile this festive year and making your home stand out by unleashing your Christmas spirit, marking the path for Santa or illuminating a particular display?

Whether at home or in your workplace, our range of lighting solutions offer cost-effective, weather-proof, energy-saving solutions which are brighter, more varied and even customisable to your needs.

Choose between festoon lights or party lights for that extra sparkle whether hanging, shaping or displaying objects, ornaments or decorations.

A clever marketing tactic, festoon and party lights can even be used to attract buyers during their Christmas shop or create a festive ambience during Christmas parties.

From beautiful symbolic shapes right through to festoon and LED drapes, you can create a Christmas display for your home or business that will be bigger and better than last year with our range of lights.

Whether you want temporary fittings or more permanent fixtures we can advise on the right fittings for you without pulling on the purse strings.

Contact us today.

The Garden is the New Living Room

There was once a time when the garden was considered an afterthought for people who were buying a new home or decorating. It was a place where you went if the weather was warm enough for sunbathing and apart from that, it was usually a neglected space.

Today however the garden has become a highly valued, important part of the home. It can even be what sets the standard of your overall house. The garden’s reputation as a secondary accessory that came with a house has developed into it being an important space with the potential to do lots of creative things.

If you have been to some extent neglecting your garden or think that you have not used it to its maximum potential then you may well be correct. 

However there are lots of ways in which you can update your garden and transform it into a space that you are proud of, even without spending very much time or money at all.

Here are some ideas for you to have a think about...

 You may have noticed that many modern gardens feature lots of different textures in one space. Regardless of how large or small your garden is, this effect is easily achieved.

Take a look at the garden to the left. This imaginative design has combined grass, decking, slabs, pebbles, and sand (around the tree) all in one.

The merging of a range of different textures is a modern development which allows you to structure your garden in a unique and interesting way.

Here you have a delicate pavement – identified by the slabs which leads a route though the natural grass to an area of decking where friends can gather and enjoy one another’s company. The tree even looks as if it has been planted on the decking itself; a clever way of merging the artificial with nature, bringing the whole garden together.

Vegetables

Part of what has made the garden such an important room in the home is the increasing convention for gardeners to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

This concept has gained a lot of momentum over the last few years with increasing numbers of people taking an interest in gardening as a whole, and the joy of nurturing one’s own food and eating it with the added satisfaction that one’s own hard work has literally put food on the table

Colours

One of the elements of a garden that appeals to most people is a lot of different colours. By adding plants of all sorts of different colours to your garden it instantly becomes a vibrant and inviting room that everybody feels welcomed by.

Daffodils, Crocus, Polyanthus, Alliums, and Gazanias are just a few of the plants that would add spectacular colour to your garden.

Remember to research which plants thrive at what times of the year, just because it is winter does not mean that you have to have a dull, bare garden; plants such as Viola Tricolour, Sedum 'Herbstfreude', and  Erica carnea thrive in colder conditions and can therefore keep your garden looking colourful all year round. 

Highlight Features

To truly bring your garden up to the standards that have been set today, you need to think hard about your landscape lighting. 

Landscape lighting serves a variety of functions including decoration, guiding you in the dark, and security.

The lights on the left for example can be used to highlight particular features in the garden that you are particularly proud of. 

If you have an impressive water feature that you would like to draw attention to in the evenings, using this type of lighting can achieve just that and make your garden look truly spectacular.

Likewise, if you spend a lot of time in the garden during the evenings – this is something you probably enjoy during the summer especially – then these small spotlights can give you a little bit of guidance as to where to stand, and can help to set a relaxed atmosphere.

 

Sociable Space

   

 The garden is the new living room which means that it needs to be just as welcoming, calming, and comfortable as its indoor counterpart.

Prepare your garden with cosy chairs which are not hard on the back, but can happily be used for several hours over dinner.

Finish your garden design with some stunning, temporary festoon lighting. You might choose to add brightly-coloured festoon lights that bring your garden to life, or classy, refined, economically-run LED rope lamps which look pretty without costing too much money.

At Garden Lighting you will notice that most of our outdoor party lights are long-lasting, low voltage lights which means that they will not need replacing for a long time and will not vastly affect your electricity bills either. 

If you would like to find out more about our outdoor lighting and how it can transform your garden, contact us on 01773 541 003.