Garden lighting plan

Summer is on the way—perfect for long evenings outdoors. To enjoy your garden after dark, it’s smart to create a lighting plan before you buy any fixtures. In this guide you’ll learn how to structure your outdoor lighting: where to start, what to watch out for, how sightlines run from your windows, and which types of lights work best in different spots.

Step 1: Sketch your garden (to scale)

Draw the layout of your garden to scale and include key elements such as trees, a pond, terraces, paths, fences, and steps. Mark where the windows of your home are and draw sightlines from those windows—this helps position accent points you’ll enjoy from indoors too.

Don’t forget the electrical infrastructure. Indicate where any ground cables could run and where you’d like outdoor sockets or junction points. (Need help with ground cables? See a step-by-step guide on laying outdoor power cables.)

Step 2: Decide on the type of light (function vs. decoration)

We distinguish two main purposes outdoors:

- Functional lighting – for safely and clearly illuminating specific areas so they’re always visible in the dark (e.g., stairs, entrances, garage, pathways).
- Decorative/atmospheric lighting – for a soft, welcoming mood (e.g., terrace seating, borders, trees, façades).

Place functional lighting where it improves safety (steps, doors, garages). Use decorative lighting on the terrace and in planting to add ambience. Popular choices here include spots, wall lights, and gentle ambient fixtures that create a stylish look.

Step 3: Choose the fixture types

When selecting fixtures, consider the light output (intensity), reach (beam spread and distance), and especially the direction of the light:

- Integrated inground spots – shine upwards from the ground (ideal for trees, façades, or sculptural elements).
- Adjustable spike or spot lights – easy to aim; great for borders, shrubs, and focal points.
- Wall lights – guide and frame entrances, terraces, and façades; can be up/down or asymmetric.
- Lanterns/pole lights – provide more diffuse light; place along paths, at the edge of a terrace, in the garden center, or by driveways.

Think through what you actually want to illuminate (surface vs. accent) and aim light to avoid glare for neighbors and passers-by.

Step 4: Pick a style

Do you prefer a modern look, or something more rural/classic? The choice is yours. A useful tip is to select multiple fixtures from the same collection to keep your garden coherent and balanced. With your sketch in hand, you can pick out the perfect fixtures at Lampgigant—quickly and confidently.