Outdoor gooseneck light from rlldesign.com

While most people tend to think of a gooseneck lamp as something that sits on a desk, or is used for highlighting and reading indoors, there are also plenty of outdoor gooseneck lamps and lighting options available. Many shop owners have found that they are very helpful to attach above their shop sign, illuminating it at night to make it more outstanding and noticeable to passersby.

An outdoor gooseneck  lamp will provide both illumination and highlight access points on building facades. They may also be used at cafes and restaurants to illuminate outdoor seating and dining areas. Gooseneck lamps have old-style charm that make them perfect for this type of cozy setting, and they are usually not too bright as to be distracting.

Gooseneck lamps are also great for outdoor lighting around the home. While they are not that suitable for spotlighting or providing security lighting, they are a great addition to any patio or outdoor dining and entertaining area. The flexibility offered by being able to move the neck and angle the light in any direction means that you can choose exactly which area you would like to highlight or accent. They also add a very dreamy, almost mystical appearance when they are turned to shine on a garden display.

Naturally, any type of outdoor lighting that you purchase must specify that it can be safely used outdoors. You will also need to differentiate between outdoor, fully exposed lighting and outdoor under cover lighting. While some lamps are great for patios or porches where they are somewhat under cover and sheltered from the weather, they would not be suitable as outdoor, all weather lighting.  You may also want to check out the range of solar paneled gooseneck lamps. There are quite a few available, some perfect for installing in a garden shed that does not have electricity running to it and others that look great in any outdoor location.

Japanese Garden Lantern from gardecor.com

There are many different decorative items you can use to accent your garden area. You will find interesting and unusual statues, fountains and lighting options to enhance the garden. Garden lanterns are a combination of decorative and functional and can be found in several styles including the popular Japanese garden lantern design. Lanterns with an Asian influence often have glass inserts with decorative images. These inserts are usually placed into a metal frame that makes up the base of the lantern. Many styles available for use in the garden come with a looped hanger on top so you can hang them from a post or, you may choose to sit them on the ground.

Some lanterns operate by electric bulb, but many are created to be used as candle lanterns. There are several designs made to hold a traditional votive candle or a larger pillar candle in the base. These candle lanterns are available in an assortment of styles that may or may not include a metal frame, which of course is ideal because it is fire resistant. A good example is the Moroccan candle lantern. Some designs are created from stained glass and are assembled similarly to a glass  lamp shade. The glass may be painted with bright nature images such as flowers or butterflies.

Decorative glass garden lanterns may also be hung from a wire holder to create a festive or romantic atmosphere. Other common lantern materials include natural stone such as granite.  Some are carved with a theme, including lighthouse designs or Eastern-influenced Zen pavilions. Add a candle, and your lantern will glow from within.

If you like the look of old world charm, you might select one of several styles of Victorian lanterns for your backyard area. These have the look of old time oil lamps and are available in a blue or black metal. The base and top are metal, while the lantern portion is made of clear glass. Whatever type of effect you want to create in your garden, there is a style of outdoor lantern that will help you achieve it.

sandhillsrusticdesign.com

There are many types of outdoor sconces available, which cater to different needs and aesthetic preferences. Security is often a concern, especially for exterior staircases and other dark outdoor spaces, which is vastly improved with proper lighting. These areas can be converted into comfortable and inviting zones by carefully and tastefully choosing different types of outdoor sconces.

Outdoor sconces are available in several shapes and designs and are constructed of various materials such as wrought iron, glass, pewter, or brass. Some designs are contemporary, while others tend towards traditional. Other styles include Mission, Moroccan and Southwestern. Often, outdoor sconces combine several styles and fall somewhere between nostalgic and modern. Whichever style of sconce you choose, rest assured you’ll be adding elegance to your home while making your home and yard a safer place.

Aside from the many styles of sconces available, there are many garden lighting manufacturers from which to choose. You may decide to select a sconce that also matches other fixtures within the manufacturer’s line that you can also incorporate into your outdoor lighting scheme such as pendant fixtures, lanterns or other accent lights.

Some sconces project light up and down, which is referred to as uplighting and downlighting, while others only aim light in one direction. If you prefer clean, white light, the sconces featuring xenon or halogen bulbs provide that effect. There are also various features, such as dimmers, which allow you maximum versatility with your outdoor sconces.

For more general lighting rather an directional, the preferred material is glass. A glass outdoor sconce, fitted with standard bulbs, produces diffused light, which is suitable for areas like stairways or porches. Some areas need mood lighting instead of  bright lights; a good choice is LED outdoor sconces. LEDs are found in everything from LED plant grow lights to LED traffic lights, and they work wonders in terms of producing even lighting levels for an outdoor setting without blinding occupants.

It’s one thing to simply install a light fixture, but it takes a little knowledge of good techniques for garden lighting to really set your yard apart. Push yourself beyond the expected  path lights or lanterns and add a little drama by trying out one or a combination of these garden lighting techniques:

Spotlighting
Also called accent lighting, spotlighting involves intense, focused light trained at one surface, such as a statue, a tree or a garden trellis or wall of ivy. Spotlighting adds drama, but if overused, can create too much contrast in your garden lighting scheme.

Cross Lighting
By lighting an object from two or more sides, you can emphasize its three-dimensionality against the landscape. A statue, fountain or particularly beautiful tree are all good candidates for cross lighting.

Uplighting
By positioning a fixture at the base of a tree, you can illuminate its canopy by using the uplighting technique. This garden lighting strategy also works against a trellis, statue or any other special surface or object. The effect is dramatic and if not used properly, may look ominous.

Downlighting
A fixture is mounted in a tree or on the edge of a building and directed downwards, casting a wide pool of light. A security fixture, such as flood lighting, qualifies as a downlight, but this technique can also be used to highlight special features within in your garden.

Backlighting
Also called silhouetting, light is aimed at an object from behind so you appreciate its outline or silhouette, with soft light spilling from behind. Statues and trees are the best candidates for this treatment.

Shadowing
The opposite of backlighting, this technique involves lighting an object such as a statue or bush from the front, causing it to cast a dramatic shadow on the surface behind.

Grazing
This technique, also called washing, highlights textured surfaces, such as tree bark or a brick or stucco wall that provides the backdrop for your garden. The fixture “grazes” the surface, exaggerating cracks and crevices.

Moon Lighting
Install a low voltage fixture high in a tree or use a special lens to diffuse the light. This technique emulates natural moon light, creating soft shadows and patterns on the ground below as it filters through the branches.

While it’s not necessary to memorize the name of every garden lighting technique, hopefully these concepts will inspire you to try out a few creative lighting effects in your own garden.

You’ve worked hard to make your garden flourish, and one of the best ways to show it off—even at night—is to install garden lighting. But where do you begin?

Determine your goal. While pure aesthetics inspire many to light their gardens, there are several other reasons to develop an outdoor lighting scheme. Safety is a big concern, and garden lighting may help to prevent you or your family members from tripping while crossing the yard at night. Another reason to light your yard is for security. Light, especially motion sensor activated outdoor lighting, discourages trespassers.

Do you want to light your garden only for a season? Create a festive pool-side barbeque area for the summer, or light your yard with festive outdoor holiday lighting. However, garden lighting is an amenity that can be enjoyed year-round from the comfort of your home. In this case, consider the position of your windows and your best garden views.

Identify the focal points. The first type of fixture that might come to mind is garden path lighting. While these fixtures can help you find your way, they probably aren’t the only type of fixture you need to showcase all of your hard work. Consider the focal points of your garden: interesting trees, fountains and seating areas. Draw a loose sketch of your garden and mark the locations of these elements. The best garden lighting schemes include a combination of path lighting, decorative garden lighting, accent lighting and garden spotlights. However, there is also a fine line between adequately lighting your garden and flooding it with light.

Set a budget. If your budget is limited, your plan should be conservative with emphasis on cheap garden lighting. You may also be concerned about electricity usage and are wondering about the benefits of solar garden lights. Electricity use can be avoided altogether by using candles in lanterns for a romantic atmosphere. Keep in mind that they require more vigilance and maintenance than an electrical garden lighting system with automatic timers. If this more complex system is in your budget, consider hiring a landscape designer or a skilled electrician.

Get educated about garden light fixtures. Take a walk around your neighborhood at night and find inspiration in your neighbors’ outdoor lighting schemes. Visit your local home improvement store to get an idea of the size, shape and weight of the fixtures available. There are many types of garden lighting from which to choose, and we’ll break down the pros and cons of each.