Outdoor lighting is a great addition to any garden to elongate your evenings outdoors. There’s a huge range of options available to you for a variety of styles and purposes.
Most outdoor lights are actually very easy to install and can be done yourself. But don’t worry about not having the expertise to install outdoor lighting as if you’re still unsure even after reading our guide, there’ll be plenty of local electricians willing to help you.
Types of Outdoor Lighting
The following are the most common types of outdoor lighting:
- Hanging – Hanging lights are anything that is suspended from above, this is typically some kind of lantern or lit hanging basket. These are great for framing doorways and hanging from garden structures.
- String Lights – String lights are your typical LED lights joined together by wires, similar to what you wrap around your christmas tree. String lights are great for wrapping around trellises and even plants.
- Path Lights – path lights are used to line pathways to light up where you are walking. These are a great addition to your garden paths if you want to be getting full use out of your garden late into the evening.
- Wall Lights – wall lights are self explanatory, anything that is mounted on a wall
There may be some options for outdoor lighting that do not fit into these categories, such as anything that is small and portable.
How to Install Outdoor Lighting
When installing any outdoor lights, there are several things you need to consider.
First is where you need the light. Consider where the light could be put to be most useful and most aesthetically pleasing. Keep in mind how bright the lights you have selected are and how much coverage they’ll have. Are you using them for decoration or is there a practical application for the lights?
Second is the power source. This can be mains, battery, or solar. Make sure that there’s appropriate space and location for the power source. For example, don’t have any wires as tripping hazards, make sure the power source is within reach of the lights and make sure solar panels are actually in the sun. It’s worth noting that solar lights usually don’t come with wiring and therefore, they’ll be far easier to install without the need for an electrician.
Another thing to consider is the weather. Check how weather resistant the lights are. Most should be very sturdy and suitable for outdoor use but it is worth checking so that lights can be placed under some shelter if necessary.
If you’re installing lighting yourself, you should make sure that you follow health and safety guidance. This includes:
- Switching off mains power
- Ensuring all occupants are aware when you’re working on the installation
- Socket testing each circuit before you begin the work and after you have completed it
- Installing lighting in compliance with your local Building regulations and IEE wiring regulations
Finally, consider how you are attaching your outdoor lights. The following is the typical way each type of outdoor light will be attached:
- Hanging – A hanging light will often require some kind of bracket to hang from.
- String Lights – String lights are typically quite easy to install as they only require wrapping around and threading through a suitable trellis/plant.
- Path Lights – Path lights are typically designed to be pushed into the soil at the side of a path with a spike at the bottom of the light
- Wall Lights – Wall Lights are probably the most effort to install as most of these will require mounting. Typically these wall lights will come with fixtures that need to be screwed into a wall/fence for the light to be mounted on.
When you have considered these things, you can set up your lights in the appropriate way.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I install outside lights myself?
So long as you follow all the necessary safety precautions and instructions, there’s no reason why you can’t install outdoor lighting yourself. Solar lighting is particularly simple to install given that it is powered by light from the sun and doesn’t require any wiring. To get your solar lights working, all you need is a sunny spot! However if you are inexperienced or worried about the wiring, we would certainly recommend working with a trained electrician.
How much does an electrician charge to fit an outside light?
The approximate cost for an electrician to fit an outside light is around £45 per hour. However this is subject to the individual, their experience, and where you live in the country. This may also depend on the complexity of your installation, how many lights you require to be fitted and how long it takes. If it’s a two man job, you’ll likely be paying additional.