Everything you need to know about connecting and arranging lighting in the garden

Outdoor lighting Do it yourself Applications

Everything you need to know about connecting and arranging lighting in the garden

In spring and summer, the garden becomes an often visited relaxation area. Find out how to choose a lighting arrangement that will highlight its beauty.

Technical matters

Garden lamps should not only be functional and match the character of the space, but should also be made of the right materials. You should pay attention to their resistance and potential weather conditions (e.g. rain) as well as the high quality of the materials they are made of and their cleanability.

Marking you need to pay attention to:

● IP – number that indicates dustproof rating (first digit on a scale of 1-6) and waterproof rating (second digit on a scale of 1-8)

● IK – degree of resistance to mechanical damage, from 00 to 10

It is recommended that all outdoor lamps have a protection level of at least IP 44 – resistant to objects larger than 1 mm and water splashing from all directions. As for the IK parameter – the higher it is, the better the level of mechanical resistance. You can opt for lamps with a high impact resistance rating, which will protect you from the cost and necessity of replacing them in case of a strong windstorm, during which the lamps may be damaged.

Some lamps are specially designed for unusual conditions, e.g. Kanlux AKVEN. Its purpose is to illuminate garden ponds and it's IP rating is as high as 68! Therefore, you can successful install these lamps at depths of up to 3 metres underwater and be confident that they will remain intact

Dominik Sitko Kanlux Product Manager

Garden arrangement – functional light

When planning the placement and selection of outdoor lighting, it is first useful to divide the zones in the garden into two groups: those where you will use functional lighting and those where you will use decorative lamps.

Functional lamps will be responsible for illuminating paths, stairs or doors, among other things. This will increase safety and comfort. Here we can distinguish:

● garden post luminaires – classic and simple in shape, they should fit in with the décor for years to come; their main task is to illuminate traffic routes in the garden Check out the Kanlux PRESO models which shine sideways, thus perfectly illuminating the road. The profiled design of the lampshade prevents water from lingering on the surface of the lamp, and the E27 cap allows you to replace the light source and individually select its intensity and colour. Another good option is Kanlux ABETE which shines downwards, making it ideal for illuminating traffic routes as well.

● in-ground luminaires - allow you to illuminate your driveway or façade. Their crucial features are their durability and high quality. Kanlux BERG DL-10L can withstand pressures of up to 500kg, and Kanlux BERG AD-70 features IP67 and IK10 protection.

● Ceiling light fittings - suitable for gazebos, terraces and porches. Choose those for outdoor lighting, such as Kanlux BENO.

Garden arrangement – decorative light

In addition to their functionality garden lamps also play a decorative role. They are great for highlighting plants, gazebos, interesting architectural features or ponds.
The most commonly used are different types of posts, wall lamps, pendant lamps, various geometric in-ground luminaires or LED string lights. A great choice would be Kanlux STONO. With diameters ranging from 20 to 78 cm, these light balls imitating stones are a perfect choice. Thanks to the spikes, you can easily place it in the desired spot and the 3-metre power cable is a good choice if you like rearranging the space. Do you prefer more classic and simple solutions? You will certainly like Kanlux SELTO. The stylised metal and glass are classics of garden décor, and the flange at the base makes mounting to the ground much easier.

If you want to highlight elements that are close to the ground, e.g. façade, rocks or flowers, choose Kanlux USTI. Thanks to the movable head, you can direct the light in any direction. Depending on the model, you can choose between a luminaire with one or two light points that you can adjust independently of each other.
Another suitable choice is the Kanlux PEVO series which consists of light posts. Kanlux PEVO is lighting with a stable and solid construction. These luminaires are ideal for gardens with low vegetation, but also for illuminating taller solitary ornamental grasses. They were designed for walking areas, alleys and green areas next to apartment buildings. Both the posts and the wall-mounted Kanlux PEVO luminaires give an interesting, unobtrusive lighting effect. The luminaires are adapted to replaceable light sources with a GX53 cap, which give the luminaire a unique character when used.

Connecting lighting in the garden

It is a good idea to think about the garden and outdoor lighting arrangements as early as possible.
Solar lighting does not require a wiring system, but truly good and proven models of this type are scarce on the market. The ones that would last several seasons are usually quite expensive, and the technology evolves every year. Therefore we usually choose luminaires that require a power supply. The wiring should be laid before the property is developed and the façade plastered. It is worth asking for support from an electrician with the necessary qualifications to do this the right way. The wiring is usually routed directly from the building. Before this, you should ensure that the lighting is separated into zones, e.g. front steps and doors, pond, gazebo, garage, etc. Each zone will run on a separate circuit. This is a safe and better solution because if one of them fails, only part of the lighting will stop working.
In addition, it is worth choosing lamps that are easy to install and move if necessary (such as Kanlux STONO). As the years go by, fashion and tastes change. Efficient replacement of light sources, colours or housings will ensure that not all changes will involve excess costs. Another thing to remember is that extra sockets in the garden can come in handy, not only for the lights but also for the lawnmower or other equipment. Therefore, also plan the placement of garden posts with sockets, such as Kanlux DASTO or Kanlux NASTO, in strategic locations.
Remember not to use extension cords, even outdoor ones that are a few or a dozen metres long, nor combine several household extension cords to make a long one. The outdoor wiring system should be secure, and all wiring should be hidden. You don't have cables hanging everywhere in your house either, stretching all the way through your flat – this should not be the case in the garden even more so. Tripping over them, cutting them with a lawnmower or water getting inside them can have very serious consequences indeed.

You will also like: 5 lighting ideas for balcony and terrace

SMART lighting

Smart solutions are a great choice for garden and backyard lighting. With the option of setting up motion sensors, the light will come on automatically whenever you approach it. This will be particularly useful on the path leading to the door and on the stairs – for comfort and safety. It is also a good tool to deter potential thieves. Sudden activation of the light can protect against break-ins. You can position the motion sensor irrespective of the location of the lamps it will switch on.
You can also think about lamps with a built-in motion sensor – a simple and convenient solution that most often meets users' expectations. One example is the Kanlux LAVEN series which includes versions with or without motion sensors (the version with the motion sensor is usually indicated by the "SE" abbreviation in its name).

Illuminating a garden is unfortunately not an easy or simple matter. It can drag on even a few years after settling in the house, as these are ultimately the least important issues. We always regret it in the summer and promise ourselves that this must change next year... Make sure to take care of your garden, the hard work and expenses will surely be appreciated when a warm May evening in the garden with friends continues into the night. A coffee on a warm summer morning amidst blooming flowers will be a great start to the day as well. There can be many situations like this, just remember to be safe and not use temporary solutions. Summer is coming soon – see you in the garden.

Everything you need to know about connecting and arranging lighting in the garden

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