Light Touch

Illuminate your garden and open up the space for entertaining with a switched-on outdoor lighting scheme. Georgia Madden explains how.

- Georgia Madden

The right lighting can transform your outdoor area after dark, adding magic to the garden, extending your living space and boosting safety. “A well-planned lighting scheme encourages you to spend more time outdoors and if you have windows looking out onto the garden, it can draw the garden into your living areas,” says Adele Locke, professional lighting designer and director of Mint Lighting. “This is especially useful in an urban environment where space is at a premium,” adds Alexandra Donohoe Church, interior designer and founder of Decus Interiors.

“The secret to a great outdoor lighting scheme is combining a range of light sources,” says Josh Densten, home-renovation expert and HPM ambassador. “A mix of up- and downlights, bollard lights and garden spotlights brightens your home’s exterior and highlights the garden’s best features.”