One of the most transformative moments in a garden is that moment when light falls and shadows dance across pathways. This is a magical time that can be recreated in your own backyard with the right lighting scheme.
A well-thought-out lighting scheme can enhance a feature tree, draw attention to a dining area or create a focal point that draws your eye. It can be difficult to decide where to place lights, though, especially since different parts of a yard receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the day and during the seasons. To make sure you’re not overdoing it, you should also consider how a garden will look at night.
For example, a simple trellis may become a focal point after dark, or an open wall that’s typically hidden during the day can be illuminated to highlight an artful arrangement of plants. You can also use lights to highlight a design element such as an outdoor fireplace or a water feature, creating a sense of atmosphere that invites guests to gather.
To help you plan a garden light scheme that will do its best to bring your space to life, we asked experts for their top tips and tricks. Here are some of their ideas:
Often overlooked by homeowners, landscape lights can be an effective way to provide ambient overhead lighting in a garden. The most common types are LED sconces designed to be installed along fences, and stake lights that are anchored into the ground. These lights are versatile and easy to move around or reinstall, and they can be combined for larger gardens. These incandescent string lights from Svater are the favorite of Brooklyn terrace gardener Marie Viljoen, who uses them to create a “simple, old-school ambience” for her outdoor meals. They’re also dimmable for a moodier garden.