Adding lighting to your garden brings it to life after dark, creating atmosphere and extending the time you can enjoy it. Whether you’re sitting outside on a summer evening, relaxing under a canopy in autumn rain, or admiring your garden from a cosy armchair in winter, the right lighting makes all the difference.
Solar lights are one of the easiest and most effective ways to illuminate your garden. They harness the sun’s energy during the day to power LEDs (light-emitting diodes) at night — no wiring, no electrician, and no fuss. Plus, you can move them around easily to experiment with different looks and lighting effects. With solar lighting, your garden design becomes flexible, creative, and endlessly customisable.
Designing Your Garden Lighting Plan
Before placing any lights, take a walk around your garden — both during the day and after dusk. View it from inside your home to see which areas would benefit most from gentle illumination. Think about the key features you’d like to highlight, such as seating areas, pathways, sculptures, or trees.
Equally important is what you don’t want to light. Strategic use of darkness can help conceal less attractive areas, such as compost bins or sheds, while drawing the eye to your garden’s best features.
Types of Solar Lighting
Mix and match different lighting styles to create the perfect atmosphere:
- Path lights – Direct light downwards to define paths, steps, or patio edges for both beauty and safety.
- Spotlights – Produce a focused beam, ideal for showcasing trees, statues, or architectural details. Adjustable heads let you fine-tune the angle for the best effect.
- Accent lights – Cast a soft glow across larger areas like seating spaces, adding ambience while using less energy than spotlights.
- Fairy or string lights – Drape along fences, weave through trees, or hang around a pergola to bring a magical, festive touch.
Top Tips for Lighting Your Garden
There are countless ways to play with light and shadow outdoors — here are a few design ideas to try:
- Guide the eye – Use softer accent lighting to lead towards your main focal point so it feels connected rather than isolated in the dark.
- Create balance – Placing spotlights on either side of a feature creates symmetry and visual interest.
- Use shadows creatively – Angling a spotlight at the base of a tree or statue can cast beautiful, dramatic shapes onto nearby walls or fences.
- Highlight structure – Wrap fairy lights around branches to transform trees into glowing sculptures that stand out even on the darkest nights.
Find Your Perfect Garden Lighting
Our st albans garden centre stocks a wide range of solar and outdoor lighting options to suit every style and budget. Visit us in-store for inspiration and expert advice — and let’s help you bring your garden to life after dark.
