One aspect of domestic garden design which is often overlooked, yet crucial to the style and ambiance of residential landscaping is the lighting. As technology constantly evolves and with landscaping generally becoming more innovative, lighting design and its importance has never been this flexible or prominent.
Logically, it appears that lighting isn’t always high on the agenda when designing or structuring your outdoor space. Not always in this order, but people usually prioritize their budget and attention with the hardscaping first, then the softscaping, then plants, flowers, the furniture as well as other furnishings and outdoor appliances. Ironically these aspects maybe considered more integral to the design because of their practicable nature plus the frequency at which they are being used. Understandably, it is because of this why lighting will be fairly low in the pecking order if viewed in this way, but if you look at it from a different angle you soon realize the significance of good effective lighting and the impact it can have on the garden space itself.
Lighting isn’t just applied so you can essentially, “see in the dark”, although let’s be honest, if there was ever a reason to utilize something as a necessity, that would be it. Of course it’s obviously very useful but aesthetically it can improve your garden profusely. Some lighting installations are incredible to look at and give the desired “WOW factor” everyone craves when revamping any part of their home and garden. It can completely transform the look of your garden in a dramatic way. Kheireddine Batech, Senior Electrical Engineer and Lighting Specialist at TerraVerde explains “a good lighting solution basically means you can enjoy your garden 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It doesn’t have to be limited to just when the sun is out. Lighting can transform your garden so radically of a night that with the contrasting looks between the daytime and the evening; it feels like you have two gardens”.
Lighting gives sustainability and longevity to your garden showing it can increase value significantly. There is so much choice when it comes to various styles, shapes and sizes and it’s hard to evaluate on average, how many lights could be used on a project as it differs depending on the size, theme and location. It’s very difficult to choose what’s right for you. I guess that’s why it’s beneficial to use an award winning Landscaping Company like TerraVerde, Kheireddine underpins one of his key responsibilities whilst working on a project, “the client can’t always envisage the end product, with my experience I know what the results will be so part of my role is to communicate the potential outcome to them”.
Kheireddine additionally describes the lighting design process, “selecting lighting for a development is a funnel process, filtering down the different options to the most effective and appropriate solution. The lighting is designed at the stage when the drawing for the hardscape and softscape has been produced. Obviously both these elements are taken into account with the specification, as well as the client’s budget, tastes and garden layout but we furthermore also seek inspiration from the interior design of the property. It’s maybe unorthodox but it ensures that the feeling and character of the property is consistent inside and out”.
LED lighting is still the number choice for designers and electrical engineers alike. There’s no direct electrical source, so they are clearly a safer option but they additionally use just 12w as appose to 220w, making them the more efficient, and energy saving choice. In terms of casing, spike lights are common because of their versatility and flexibility. Positioning is impetrative with lighting design and they ensure that all facets of the garden are under the spotlight, especially the softscaping, plant beds, flower pots and trees, showing off their wonderful shades and textures. Fiber optic lighting, a new technology, is becoming increasingly popular as its cabelling allows more creative freedom, as appose to installing a standard marker light
Kheireddine keeps things current by attending conferences, seminars, meeting suppliers to discuss new products and running experimental installations using new methods and techniques, “products are constantly getting released all of the time so you have to do everything you can to stay ahead, if you don’t actively seek new products and learn you will not develop”. Kheireddine is currently using Smart Lighting at TerraVerde. This allows clients to adjust and alter the colour, intensity and direction of the lighting using a mobile application on a smart phone. The popularity of home automation as a whole is increasing as it becomes more accessible and affordable, this trend will no doubt change in the future. Soon it may well be the norm to have more bespoke lighting which can modify the landscape with the touch of a button. You could change the light setting to suit your mood or the occasion, so the future indeed looks bright for outdoor lighting, or dimmed, or tinted or whichever way you want it to look.
Lighting gives versatility to the garden’s appearance, looks impressive on the eye, it’s innovative, creative and in most cases compulsory for safety. It has also been proven, which I have mentioned in a previous blog, that studies show that good lighting can reduce the risk of theft quite substantially, in turn reducing your insurance premium. In many ways lighting can save money and increase fulfillment so think twice, or at least just think, about the lighting on your next garden project.
Many thanks
Christopher Parker
Sales and Marketing Executive
TerraVerde ®
Get in touch via our twitter page:
@TerraVerdeUAE
Terraverde uae 