It is great to have a garden. For kids, having access to a private outdoor space is very beneficial. Numerous studies show that spending time outside playing is good for their physical, mental and emotional health.
So, if you have a garden it makes a lot of sense to make the most of it. Installing some outdoor lighting can really help you with this. Potentially, you and your children will be able to spend every evening in the garden. As you can see here there are plenty of different kinds of outdoor lighting available. Most of these lighting fixtures are suitable for use in both rural and urban gardens. However, if you do live in a town there are a few extra things you need to take into account before buying your lighting.
Consider your neighbours
Perhaps the biggest difference between an urban and rural garden is the fact that you have neighbours close-by. When putting up lighting it is really important to try to do so in a way that will not disturb them. Light pollution is a big issue. If you want to be able to stay outside late you need to try to place the lights so they do not cast too much light into neighbouring properties. This will ensure that your neighbours can get to sleep easily. Something that can be difficult in a room that is not dark enough.
Local planning regulations
In some places, there are regulations surrounding the type of lights that can be used. Typically, these dictate how bright the lights can be or how long they can be left on for. Your local lighting supplier will normally be aware of these regulations, so can usually advise you.
Using lighting to create more private spaces
If your home is located somewhere that is overlooked, you need to think carefully about privacy. Where you place your lights can have a big impact on how much of your garden is kept private. It can be as simple as only lighting up certain areas. But, there are other techniques you can use. For example, if a path runs alongside your property line it can actually make sense to have some lights facing outwards. It does not have to be particularly bright for people to not be able to clearly see beyond the halo of light that is produced. It is surprisingly easy to use this technique to create privacy, which relatively few homeowners think of using.
Sensors and timers
When you install outdoor lights, it makes sense to choose the kind that has sensors and timers built-in. Doing so ensures that these lights only stay on when you need them to, so you do not end up spending money unnecessarily.
In an urban environment, you do not want passersby to be constantly triggering your lights to come on, especially after you have gone to bed. When you choose lights for your garden, check how sensitive the sensor is and whether its sensitivity can easily be adjusted. You can find out all about this technology and how to decide the type of sensors you need from this website.
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Photo Credit: Wyatt Ryan Roberto Nickson (@g)
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