It's possible to learn how to make garden lighting look expensive without the premium price tag by mimicking the methods that high-end lighting designers use to create beautiful ambient schemes.
Things to bear in mind when approaching garden lighting design on a budget, with a strong eye to style, include a "less is more" approach, installation and running costs, longevity and perfect placement.
The key also lies in highlighting your prime areas and concealing the less appealing.
1. Go for quality over quantity
(Image credit: John Cullen Lighting)
Sally Storey, Creative Director at luxury lighting brand John Cullen Lighting, favours a less-is-more approach to garden and patio lighting.
"Remember that a little light goes a long way at night. Use garden lighting selectively and remember that darkness can also be used to conceal any less attractive areas," she says.
With that in mind, opting for a few quality light pieces can be a more sensible way to spend your budget than automatically selecting the cheapest products you can find.
Rachel Morris, marketing manager at lighting brand 4lite, says: "Look for products constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials like die-cast aluminium or polycarbonate, which offer long-lasting performance and better protection against the elements."
Sally Storey
Sally is considered one of the world’s leading lighting experts. In 2021 Sally received the highest award in lighting - the LIT Lifetime Achievement Recipient for her contribution to lighting. Sally has written four books on the subject of lighting - her fourth book entitled “Inspired by Light” was published by RIBA (Royal Association of British Architects) in 2022.
Sally Storey highlights another common approach to luxury lighting design at John Cullen. Which is to illuminate the path or steps which lead to your dining/entertaining area. Ideal for practical reasons but also to create a visual journey around your garden.
Rachel Morris assures us that thanks to advances in LED technology, solar panel efficiency and battery storage, garden solar lighting is now a highly effective, low-cost option.
"Available in a wide range of formats – from festoons to wall lights to ground spikes – today’s solar products offer stronger, longer-lasting illumination and perform reliably, even in the UK’s unpredictable weather."
There's no need to pay for installation with solar lighting, cutting out any professional fees. Not to mention, unfixed options can be taken with you if you move home.
Refer to point one when choosing solar however and opt for quality pieces which will deliver the glow that you're looking for. Read reviews before buying about how effective they actually are. We like Set of 4 LED Premium IP65 Solar USB Spotlights at Lights4fun.
With so many outdoor lighting options available for a budget garden space, it's easy to become overwhelmed with style choices.
David Eaton, solar lighting expert and Co-Founder of The Solar Centre advises making your garden lighting work with your existing space. That's to say, there might be styles that appeal to you, but these could look out of place and separate from the rest of the space.
“Cohesion is key. For example, weaving string lights through trellises and archways can complement climbing plants, while placing solar lanterns around seating areas can look intentional and integrate with the space," says David.
“Using a mix of light sources can make your garden look professionally designed by placing them at various levels, and changing the settings to include varying degrees of brightness can add depth and interest," says David Eaton.
“Think in three layers – ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting, like festoon and fairy lights, can help set the mood of the space like a decking. Meanwhile, task lighting like path lights and floodlights is key for cooking areas and places where levels change for safety-focused and purposeful illumination. Accent lighting, like spotlights, are designed to draw attention to key focal points.
“The beauty of layering is that it feels curated and can elevate the appearance of your garden.”Brian Davenport, solar lighting expert and Co-Founder of The Solar Centre
Whilst these will need to be hooked up to a power source, LED strip lights are extremely easy to position in place and give an instantly luxe look to a garden landscape.
With cuttable options like this Waterproof LED outdoor strip light at Amazon you can create a custom design yourself which perfectly fits your space. Many LED power supplies aren't waterproof so you should seek professional advice on installing these safely in an outdoor setting.
6. Create a moveable feast
Lighting options from Lights4fun(Image credit: Lights4fun)
"The key to successful garden lighting is flexibility," says Sally Storey. "At John Cullen Lighting, we use LED spiked lights as they can be easily moved to suit the changing seasons and planting growth."
Simply moving your lights around your garden can help create different schemes and will cost less than investing huge amounts in wired-in light fixtures. Solar lights have to be the best option for flexibility and mobility, provided your areas have sufficient sunlight.
"When it comes to creating a high-end look outdoors, warm lighting is almost always the better choice. Its soft tone instantly adds a sense of luxury and sophistication that helps to flatter garden features and architectural details," says Claire Bassett, Head of Product at Lights4fun
Conversely, Jon Saeed, managing director of Lighting Legends, says we needn't avoid white lighting altogether.
“Warm and white lighting can serve different purposes. Warm lighting tends to be best for seating areas, pathways and accent lighting. It’s softer, looks more natural and creates a tranquil atmosphere. White lighting looks great on modern landscapes but is also popular for security lighting and driveways. This is because it feels brighter and more alert and provides clearer visibility,” says Jon.
To ensure you are always complying with regulations check our guide to the law on garden lighting.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
