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.

4 simple ways to improve the look of your Garden

As we wave a relieved goodbye to winter and an eager hello to spring our attention starts to turn to outdoors and namely, to our gardens. Gardens? We bet you haven’t been in yours for a while, right? It’s a well known fact that in the winter months are gardens can become a distant memory, and can start to fade along with our sun-kissed skin.

So now is the time to get your garden back in shape and ready for the spring and summer months. Here are our top tips to improve the look of your garden with minimal effort!

Clear your pathways, decks and patios

The desolate winter months really can have a bad effect on your pathways and seating areas, leaving them looking tired and miserable. If you spend just one afternoon sweeping and cleaning up any dead leaves and rubbish, you will soon have your garden looking alive again. Check over your decking or patio areas if you have them and sweep up any debris.

Get weeding!

Let’s face it, we ALL hate weeding. It’s time consuming, tiring and boring! It’s no one’s favourite job, favourite job, but putting in a little elbow grease on Sunday afternoon really can make the world of a difference in your garden. 

Clean, scrub and polish!

Have good clean. Rake over gravelled areas and pick up any bits of gravel that have found their way on to lawns and borders. Give your patio furniture a good scrub down and check over and clean barbeques and grills so they are ready for use. Check your fences, trellises and pergolas. These spend much of the year concealed behind climbing plants and foliage so it’s a good idea to check that they are in good order and make any necessary repairs or replacements!

Sort out your LIGHTING!

Last and (we think) most importantly of all – sort out your garden lighting! The right lighting in garden really can transform it form dull to delightful. 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 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.

Light up your summer garden with festoon lights

All thoughts turn to the outdoors at this time of year, as the weather improves and we can begin to daydream of sitting outside smelling the remnants of that delicious summer barbecue, with a glass of wine or bottle of beer in hand. But as the long and mild evenings draw closer, how do you plan to add that extra sparkle to those summer nights of respite?

Living and dining al fresco is one of the more pleasurable benefits of the summer, but what if you didn’t have to enjoy such magical moments during just one season of the year? Nothing signals summer evenings outdoors like ambient lighting while entertaining friends or family at those garden gatherings. Dim lights create a romantic, warm feel without attracting hundreds of flies!

With our unpredictable British weather it does prove difficult to find a functional and portable solution for such occasions. Although, why just opt for lighting in the summer months, and not all year round - something to make your garden glisten all year long.

Creating your own seasonal space doesn’t have to involve costly renovations or the re-thinking of your entire living environment, by purchasing the right outdoor lighting you can create the perfect ambience and settings with just a small investment.

Wedding and event planners have used outdoor festoon lighting so beautifully for years and now thanks to more affordable options provided by the Garden Lighting Shop you too can recreate that gorgeous elegance in your very own back garden.

As a quick and effective solution to your entertainment lighting, festoon lighting also has many diverse and varied applications offering the perfect solution when creating atmosphere at summer parties, weddings, garden displays or even just lighting up walkways and dining areas.

Why not cordon off a small corner of your garden to create a new and exciting environment to find respite and put your feet up or even spice up the space rerated by your decking?

With the addition of the right festoon lights you can turn an area of your garden into a brand new venue for relaxation and entertainment, after all , why have a garden if you can’t enjoy it during the day or at night?

A Guide to Summer Entertaining

Now that we have reached mid April, spring is well and truly here and the weather seems to be picking up (hopefully most of you will be lucky enough to enjoy a lovely Easter weekend).

With the blossom, the nice weather and several long weekends ahead of us, no doubt we are all starting to get excited for the months ahead and the prospect of days relaxing in the garden, evenings dining outdoors and most importantly the opportunity for BBQs and summer garden parties!

Here at The Garden Lighting Shop, we thought we would put together a little guide to summer entertaining to hopefully help inspire you and make sure that you too are starting to get in a summery mood.

First things first we must remember that we do live in Britain so can never guarantee sunshine! But so long as you have gazebos available and the possibility of going indoors if it gets too much then you will be fine; just keep your fingers crossed for good weather, or if possible plan things at relatively short notice when you know what the weather forecast is.

When it comes to summer entertaining you have a few choices food wise. BBQ is often the most popular choice, the important thing is to make sure you have a range of meats as well as vegetarian options so that everyone is catered for! To go alongside your BBQ food it is a great idea to prepare a selection of smaller bites and light salads (you will find many great recipes online); if you are inviting a lot of people it is a good idea to ask people to bring some sort of dish with them, this way there will be plenty food to go around and it takes the pressure off you slightly.

Before the main food is served it is nice to have snacks around for people to nibble on, crisps, nuts, dips; anything that is easy to set out but that won’t fill people before the main food!

Now we have to consider drinks, after all no party is complete without an array or summery beverages! You need to provide a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to ensure that you have something for everyone, and remember...ICE! Soft drinks such as lemonade, coca-cola and juices are good options, even non-alcoholic cocktails if you are feeling adventurous as these are sure to go down a storm. A variety of beers is a good choice, kept in buckets of ice to make sure that they are refreshing; a choice of nice cold wines is also a good move.

Of course, don’t forget the classic summer drinks such as sangria and Pimms! Looking up cocktail recipes is also a nice idea, but this will mean you need a lot of ingredients so bear this is mind before you decide to go for it.

Especially if you are hosting a party for a lot of people it is worth buying disposable plates, cutlery and cups as the chances are you won’t have enough to go round otherwise; plus it saves on washing up and means you don’t have to worry about your glasses getting broken!

Decorations can top off your party area nicely by adding fun with splashes of colour, whether this is with colourful napkins, tableware and tablecloths, or buntings and other decorations that can be found everywhere! For the evening a few candles dotted around are a nice touch.

If your party is going to go on into the evening/night time then it is a nice idea to have a few blankets lying around in case people get a bit chilly, patio heaters are also great but obviously these aren’t a cheap investment!

Garden lights dotted around your outside area will create a lovely atmosphere and will mean that none of your guests will have trouble seeing once the sun has gone down; there are many different styles of garden lighting around so you will have plenty to choose from!

Hopefully this little guide will help you out in some way, or at the very least get you excited for the (hopefully) glorious summer ahead and the many fun times to be had!

Top Tips for the Perfect Garden

Everybody wants to have a garden that looks great, that is practical and that is somewhere where you can spend time relaxing whenever the weather lets us!

Of course everybody looks for something different in their garden, some people want lots of lawn, some people want lots of plants and flowers, some want to grow vegetables and some want an area where they can sit and eat or drink with family and friends.

The size of your garden will of course influence what you are able to do with your garden, for example a very small garden will not allow you to grow vegetables as well as have a space for table and chairs.

So maybe you haven’t got a clue what to do with your garden, or maybe you just need a little help, well here are a few suggestions that we hope will help you get your perfect garden:

Making a plan is very important if you want to make the most of your garden space, by designing a simple plan you know exactly what can fit where, decide what will look best where and overall make the whole process easier.

Deciding exactly what you want to do in your garden is important, do you want space for children to play in? 

Do you want a space where you can eat and drink outside? Do you want a haven of flowers and plants?

Having a large open space can sometimes look plain, the trick is to break up these open spaces using colourful flowerbeds, this will make your garden interesting and attractive.

Planting a variety of plants and flowers will make things interesting; if you have all of the same colour or all of the same texture it can get boring, so don’t be afraid to mix it up!

Little touches of garden art will make your garden unique and unusual, whether you choose a decorative bird house, a sculpture or any other decorative pieces; this is a great way of making your garden different.

Garden lights can make your garden a picturesque place both day and night, they not only do that but also mean that you are able to spend time there no matter whether it’s day or night. There are so many different style of garden lighting that these can also act as decorative feature.

Picking plants that suit your climate will make your job easier and require less work, we don’t mean you need to pick all your plants like this, but some would helpful!

Finally, we say don’t overdo it on any one thing, if there are too many plants there will be no where to sit, if the seating area is too large there won’t be enough plants; it’s all about getting the right balance! 

What Garden Lights Should I Go For?

When it comes to garden lights there certainly isn't a shortage of choice, which can often make choosing your lighting a difficult decision. The best thing to do is to first decide what purpose you want the lights to achieve, then when you have a selection of the most suitable lighting you can choose what style you prefer!

There are many reasons for wanting to add some lighting to your garden and outdoor areas, a few of these are security, decoration, visibility and of course for partying.

Security

In recent years it has become more and more popular for people to have security lighting in either (or both) their front and rear garden areas, and you will no doubt have noticed a number of houses on your street with lights that turn on as you walk past them in the dark.

This type of lighting is in fact a proven deterrent for burglars and it is clear to see why, no burglar would be able to sneak unnoticed into a house that’s garden is lit up; so it is really no wonder that they have become so popular!

Flood and area lighting can not only detect or deter intruders but it can make you feel safer and it is important that everyone feels safe in their own home.

Decoration

Especially during the summer month’s people want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, with warmer evenings it is nice to be able to spend time eating and drinking in your garden. Decorative lighting will not only make your patio, terrace or lawn look lovely but it will also enable you to spend this time outdoors without being in the dark!

Another form of decorative lighting is landscape lighting, this is a fantastic way of making your garden look stunning and highlighting parts that you want to stand out; it can even make your garden look dramatic, especially if you have a larger garden with lots of plants or trees.

During the festive season lighting is a popular way of turning your outdoor space into a Christmas haven, either with lights on the house itself or in the general garden area.

Visibility

At night it can be tricky to see exactly where paths and driveways go or even where a patio or terrace ends and the grass areas begin. By lighting the edges of these paths, driveways or patios you can improve visibility and make walking around these areas a little easier.

As well as aiding visibility, this kind of lighting can also make the areas look more attractive and give your outdoor areas a certain charm.

  

Party Lighting

Festoon lighting is perfect for when you need your outdoor areas lit up for a party, as well as being practical they also act as decorations!

There are likely to be many times throughout the year when you are going to host a party: New Year, birthdays, anniversaries, Halloween, Bonfire night, Christmas, the list goes on!

Both white lights and coloured lights are a popular choice for outdoor party lighting, and both are sure to get everyone in the party spirit as well as making the area look more attractive and of course enabling people to see!

Once you know what category to choose from you do of course still have plenty to choose from, whether you want modern or classic styles, white or coloured lights; but unfortunately no one can tell you which is best for you, it is all down to personal taste.

For an extensive selection of garden lights, The Garden Lighting Shop is an excellent choice and once you’ve visited the site, if you still can’t decide which are most suitable for your needs don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of the team would be happy to help and advise you.

The Garden Lighting Shop Ranges

Here at The Garden Lighting Shop we have created  a short presentation to show our customers exactly what we have to offer, so take just a moment of your time to check out our extensive range of outdoor lighting and see if there is something there for you!

The Benefits of Garden Lighting

There are many different reasons for people choosing to get garden lighting installed, which is probably why there is such a huge range of garden lights available nowadays. From flood lights and wall lights to colourful lights and step lights, whatever you need outdoor lighting for there is sure to be something perfectly suited to the job.

Garden lights don’t just look good, they can be beneficial in many ways, and here are a few of those benefits:

• By adding lighting to outdoor areas such as patios and terraces you are creating more living space for your home; if your patio is unlit then you are unlikely to want to spend evenings sat out there. Just imagine the warm summer evenings and nights sat outside enjoying the atmospheric lighting!

• Driveways, pathways and entrances can be difficult to navigate in the dark, by installing lighting along these access areas it increases safety because it makes it easy to see where everything is and where you are going; it also improves the appearance of these areas.

• Security is a big thing for all homeowners, there is a wide variety of outdoor security lighting available which will act as a deterrent to burglars. An example of popular security lights is motion detection, which you will no doubt have seen all over the place.

• One huge benefit of garden lighting is simply the way that it makes your garden and other outdoor areas look. Whether you want to highlight certain architectural features of your house, accent certain areas of the garden that are particularly appealing or just add ambiance to the look of your garden, the perfect lighting is out there for you.

Even if you haven’t thought about installing outdoor lights before, no doubt you are thinking about it now, so if you would like to know more about what is available to you and what would suit your needs best then just get in touch with The Garden Lighting Shop who will be happy to help you find the perfect lighting for your garden!

The Garden Lighting Shop

Here at The Garden Lighting Shop we specialise in...you guessed it, garden lighting! Our extensive range of lighting includes a wide variety of exterior lighting that is suitable for gardens, patios and landscaping projects.

Whether you want lighting for decorative or security purposes we have something for everyone and for every need.

With many years experience in the lighting industry we are a company that you can trust to supply you with the very garden lights around!

You may be thinking there aren’t that many types of garden lights out there, but you would be wrong! As you will see from looking at our website there are many, here are a few of them:

Low voltage lights are a more affordable type of outdoor lighting, whether this is a path or a patio area, this safe lighting is a great way of adding light to an outside area.

Flood lighting is a very popular type of outdoor lighting as it is often used for security purposes; this type of lighting is available in a range of styles and prices in order to suit all needs and budgets.

Festoon and Party lights are very popular outdoor lights; after all it is pretty much impossible to hold an outdoor party with no lighting! They come in different colours and styles so no matter what atmosphere you want to create at your party there is sure to be a light for you. There is also a variety of rope lights and curtain lights which are a great outdoor addition if you want to create a nice ambiance for a special occasion.

If you want some outdoor lighting but fancy something a little extra special then our range of decorative lighting will provide exactly that! We have a range of lamp posts and other styles that will look lovely on your path or in your garden.

For those of you who want some garden lighting but don’t fancy anything permanent then portable floor and table lamps are available, these look lovely dotted around the garden area.

All in all there is a garden light for every need and occasion, so if you want to add a little something extra to your outdoor area then this could be the perfect idea! Alternatively if security is something you are concerned about then this could be a great solution.

Browse our website and see exactly what we have to offer, don’t forget to check our clearance section to see if you can pick up a bargain!