When you decide to completely update the design of your garden and personal plot, you can listen to the recommendations of professional landscape designers - most of them advise installing lighting outside. Thanks to the fact that you will have lanterns and lamps on your site, it will not only be more convenient for you to navigate, but you will also have the opportunity to spend your evenings in a cozy place - your garden. In addition, it looks attractive and will surprise both guests and your neighbors. Decorative street lights look especially beautiful.
Let's figure out what properties a street lamp should have. Why do we need outdoor lighting fixtures for the site and garden? Which outdoor lamps are best to use in this or that case. Which bracket to choose for street night lighting lamps. Is it possible to mount street lamps and lanterns for street lighting on a pole?
Where can you install lighting?
At night, it is important that the road to the front door is illuminated, so initially install lamps along its entire length. If you don't know where to install lighting in your garden, here is a list of objects that look most impressive when lit by lamps at night:
- porch and corners of the house,
- curbs,
- pool or pond,
- steps, loggia,
- figurines and other decorations.
It is also worth lighting outbuildings, so you can provide safe access to them at any time of the day. For the convenience of taxi drivers, emergency services, and guests, you can install lighting on the serial number of your yard. A street lamp can be hung on a pole near the yard, if the administration of your settlement has not made one.
Types of lamps
Depending on where you decide to install the product, its type also depends. It is clear that ordinary lamps are not suitable for home use. Many types of lamps are suitable for installation on a personal plot. Let's figure out what street lighting fixtures exist.
- Wall lamps can be installed on the corner of the house, above the door, to illuminate the walls. There are very compact models, and there are also bulky ones, but all of them can be conveniently mounted using a wall mount to any vertical surface. If you are installing wall lights for security purposes, you can install a wall spotlight. In terms of cost, such lamps fall into the middle price category. The price depends on the material of the product, the type of glass and appearance.
- Floor lamps look like small or, in rare cases, tall stands with shades or lamps on top. Such supports are made from various materials. Floor lamps can illuminate the lawn area, garden path and loggia. They are often used to illuminate shrubs, stones, statues, and sometimes ponds or pools. But, of course, they look most attractive if they are installed on an alley. Low models are quite inexpensive, but there are also expensive types of garden floor lamps.
- Ground ones are mounted on the side of the path or directly into it. They look most attractive when they illuminate coniferous trees and shrubs, and they are also installed under statues. Some types of such lamps can be installed under water, so they are sometimes installed in ponds. Such light elements provide light that is directed upward, so they are suitable only as decorative components of landscape design. The prices for such lamps are quite low, but you usually need a lot of them to create a unique setting in the garden or on your personal plot. Outdoor recessed lights come in a variety of sizes, and there are also solar-powered types.
- Hanging street lamps are usually installed on terraces, loggias, verandas, and gazebos. A hanging street light is inexpensive depending on the material of the product.
- Outdoor ceiling lights are installed in the same way as outdoor pendant lights. A ceiling lamp, just like a street lamp, must be made of high quality.
A hanging street light can also be installed above the porch, it will look just as bright as a wall-mounted street light. Floor-recessed lights can be installed in a gazebo or on a veranda. Installing street lamps is not a difficult task - anyone can handle it.
Types, recommendations for selection
Lanterns are classified according to their intended purpose:
- Lighting device for large roads and highways. These versions are equipped with a reflector, which allows you to direct the light onto the roadway. In this case, the pillars are located at a great distance from each other; accordingly, the lamps are also located high. In this case, high power lamps (250-400 W) are used.
- Lighting for secondary roads. In this case, lamps with lower efficiency are used (power varies from 70 to 250 W).
- Lighting of sidewalks, park areas, bicycle paths. In such designs, round and cylindrical lampshades are usually used. The choice of lamp power is determined by the distance at which the poles are installed. Range of values for this parameter: 40-125 W.
- Illuminated information signs. For lighting, spotlights and special types of lamps are used.
- Directional lighting of buildings and architectural objects.
Types of light sources for outdoor lighting
Lanterns can also be classified according to the light source:
- Mercury;
- Sodium;
- LED.
In addition, there are designs with different types of control: manual trigger mechanism, automatic control unit. The second option does not require human participation. Lanterns are also divided into groups according to differences in supporting structures:
- Pillars.
- Masts.
- Ropes, cables.
- Supports.
Pillars are conventionally divided into subtypes: concrete, wood, metal. The first of these options has a number of advantages: strength, reliability, resistance to external factors. Wooden poles were used everywhere in the past, however, today they can only be found in remote settlements.
Along with concrete structures, metal poles are also widely used. But without proper coating with paints and varnishes, they will not last long.
The criteria for choosing street lamps are as follows:
- Economical. This means that lighting fixtures must be energy efficient. Solar-powered devices with LED lamps stand out more than others. Their design includes a battery that stores electrical charge, a controller, as well as the solar panel itself, which is mounted on a pole. A lighting device of this kind operates autonomously, and its level of energy efficiency is incomparably higher than, for example, cantilever lights.
- Lamp power. The more intense the lighting required, the more powerful the device should be. The ranges of values of this parameter for various target directions have already been discussed above.
- The area that the lighting covers. It can be determined by several parameters at once: power (in direct dependence of the values), the height of installation of the lamp on the pole and the distance between them. The area of illumination of the territory is also determined by the properties of the lampshade to diffuse light.
- Type of supporting structure.
- Housing security. The flashlight must have a certain degree of housing protection.
- Price. For example, console devices will be cheaper than analogues based on LED lamps. The second option mentioned is energy efficient. Therefore, even with a higher initial cost, such devices will pay for themselves faster.
In addition, it is highly recommended to pay attention to the fact that maintenance is required. For example, in the case of LED light sources, no additional actions are required throughout the life of the lamp.
Garden lanterns
If you want to install lighting outdoors for easier orientation around the site, while making it all attractive, then lanterns are suitable in this case. They are an excellent source of light and look impressive. Street lighting lanterns for the garden also differ in type, depending on what kind of lamp posts are used in their structure, and on what kind of shades are used for street lamps.
Decorative lanterns for street lighting are divided into the following types:
- Mushroom lanterns look like tall fungi. They resemble them with their caps in the form of hats, which are placed on a support in the form of a column. The light radiates downwards from them, this allows illumination of the ground underneath them, which is best made of stones for greater effectiveness.
- Cylindrical lanterns have become very popular recently; they look modern and strict. The light from them is quite bright if you choose the right lamps.
- LED lights are very effective lighting for a personal plot. Thanks to different combinations of LEDs, you can create a unique environment that cannot be created with other lighting.
- Solar powered garden lights At the top of such a lantern there is a solar battery, which collects energy throughout the day for illumination at night. This is an economical and very modern way to illuminate your area.
- Balls and other shapes are one of the types of lanterns that effectively create lighting in an area. Today the market offers many types of such lanterns, including in the form of various sculptures. Outdoor architectural and designer lamps should be selected in accordance with the garden design.
- Pot-shaped lanterns do not stand on poles. They are a very beautiful lighting solution that will decorate your area in combination with bright colors. Their installation is simple, like other types of lighting.
Street lights for illuminating garden and personal plots can be installed anywhere, from recreation areas to paths and paths. The built-in lantern will beautifully decorate an alpine hill, pond or flower bed. In such places, you can install outdoor halogen lamps; they will provide the necessary quality of illumination of the area. Installing street lights is not a difficult task and anyone can do it, the main thing is not to mess with the wiring. Brackets for lamps are attached to the walls using self-tapping screws, the support is concreted into the ground or fixed to the foundation. It is best to install electronic parts in accordance with the instructions in the package. The lamp is installed in the same way as in the case of room lighting.
Types of street lamps
First, you need to decide on the type of lamp. A beautiful landscape design necessarily combines basic and accent lighting, for which different types of lighting equipment are used. Choose the following as your main light sources:
Ground lights
They can be placed along the main paths and around the perimeter of the site.
Suspended and ceiling options
Suitable for lighting garden gazebos, country terraces and verandas, porches.
Outdoor sconces and wall models
They can be used both as the main source of light on small verandas or at entrances, and as an additional one.
Recessed luminaires
Ground ones can be built directly into the tiles to illuminate narrow paths and paths; wall ones are good for lighting small garden buildings.
The following will help to revive the exterior and place spectacular accents:
Ground lamps They will give a fabulous look to your flower beds, alpine slides and hedges.
Facade models and devices for architectural lighting will provide beautiful external lighting for the house.
Floodlights are well suited for spot illumination of the area approaching the house and for lower lighting of trees.
Combine different types of light sources to create a cohesive and thoughtful exterior lighting experience. Ground lamps and models on poles are suitable as a base, and ground lamps, spotlights and special lighting are suitable for placing accents. You can beautifully illuminate the walls with the help of façade lamps and street sconces.
Product materials
Since the lighting elements will be installed outdoors, it should be taken into account that they will therefore be affected by the environment, and therefore by unfavorable factors in the form of rain, snow, wind and sudden temperature changes. Therefore, you should select lamps made from materials that will be able to withstand such loads. It is best to choose lanterns on stands and suspensions made of cast iron, aluminum, steel and other non-ferrous metals. The bracket for the street lamp must also be made of strong material. In this case, forged lanterns are considered the most durable, which is why they are recommended for installation by most modern landscape designers.
The best solar floodlights
The controller controls the operation of the spotlight. Its simplest option is a photo relay (light sensor), whose task is to monitor the level of natural light. As it gets darker, the spotlight turns on, and as soon as it becomes light, it turns off accordingly. A more complex, but also more effective programmable controller, which is used in architectural and facade advertising floodlighting. There are more functions here - turning on/off, adjusting the lighting intensity, etc.
Globo Solar AL 3715S
Solar-powered lamp Globo from the Solar AL collection. The design of the 3715S lamp uses 4 transparent plastic shades and chrome-colored metal fittings. The model uses LED lamps with an LED base in the amount of 4 pieces. The main feature, in addition to the stylish design, is moisture protection of the IP44 standard, which allows use in wet rooms. Sensor: detection angle 120°, detection range up to 6 meters.
Globo Solar AL 3715S
Specifications:
| Housing material | Aluminum |
| Weight, kg | 0,65 |
| Dimensions, cm | 15.7x18.15.5 |
| View | Rotating spotlight |
| Installation method | wall |
| Color temperature, K | 3300 (warm white) |
| Power, W | 0,5 |
Pros:
- the rotating mechanism is easy to adjust;
- the lamps are bright and provide good illumination;
- protected from moisture.
Minuses:
- there is no anti-vandal housing.
Novotech 357345
The solar-powered landscape touch-sensitive LED lamp with a motion sensor is made of plastic and is resistant to wind loads, humidity and mechanical damage. Designed for year-round use. Protection class IP65.
Sensor: detection angle maximum 130°, detection range up to 8 meters. Delay time: from 15 sec. up to 1 min., can be adjusted. LED service life is 25,000 hours. The battery life after fully charging the battery is 60 minutes. After the first day of charging the battery - 20 minutes. Operating temperature range from -20°С to +40°С.
Novotech 357345
Specifications:
| Housing material | Impact resistant plastic |
| Motion Sensor | There is |
| Dimensions, cm | 19.5x18.2x5.2 |
| View | Turning |
| Installation method | wall |
| Color temperature, K | 5000 (white) |
| Power, W | 0.5, total – 6 |
| Luminous flux, lm | 280 |
Pros:
- large capture radius and detection range;
- both lampshades rotate in different directions;
- Durable body, although plastic.
Minuses:
- after adjustment, the duration of lamp burning is not always maintained
Garden garland, 10 LED lamps Auchan
An original composition consisting of 10 small light bulbs with a total power of 220 W in plastic lampshades in the shape of ladybugs. Sold in the Auchan chain of stores, country of origin: China. The collection is not limited only to these types of insects; flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, just light bulbs, etc. are also on sale.
Garland
Specifications:
| Housing material | plastic |
| Motion Sensor | No |
| Package dimensions, cm | 19x19 |
| View | stationary on wire |
| Installation method | On bushes, tree crowns |
| Color temperature, K | 2000 |
| Power, W | 220 |
| Luminous flux, lm | 280 |
Pros:
- highlights the bushes in an original way, looks very beautiful
Minuses:
- minimum light - only as a guide
Features and secrets
Outdoor ceiling lamps are usually installed in gazebos. They must also be made of high-quality materials, as they are susceptible to external factors. If you decide to install outdoor lighting fixtures for home security, then floodlights made of metal material are suitable for you. If you want to control the lighting from inside the house, then you should install a console street lamp for outdoor lighting with remote control. Cantilever street lamps allow you to save a lot of money. To save money, you can also install a decorative lamp built into the wall with a motion sensor; it will illuminate the yard when you move around it.
