The Ultimate Outdoor Lighting Guide

Your garden is part of your home. Good outdoor lighting can transform a garden so you can appreciate its beauty in the evenings as well.

This guide covers everything you need to know about outdoor lighting as well as outdoor lighting ideas for your next project.

Why Do You Need Outdoor Lightning for Your Garden?

Outdoor lighting helps turn your garden into a functional and visually captivating space once the sun goes down. Apart from the visual benefits, outdoor garden lighting has practical uses as well.

Safety: it lights up steps, paths and uneven surfaces so nobody trips in the dark

Security: a well-lit property is less likely to be a target for intruders

Atmosphere: the right lighting turns your garden into a space you want to use on dark evenings

Property value: investing in the outdoor space adds real value to your home

Before you start looking for outdoor light, it’s important to understand IP ratings.

Understanding IP Ratings for Outdoor Lights

IP stands for Ingress Protection. It tells you how well a light fitting is protected against dust and moisture. Every outdoor light carries a two-digit IP rating. The first digit (0-6) relates to protection against solids like dust, and the second digit (0-8) relates to water and moisture.

A quick guide to what the numbers mean:

IP44: protected against splashing water from any direction. Suitable for most covered outdoor areas, porches and sheltered spots.
IP54: dust resistant and protected against water splashing. Good for exposed walls and garden fittings.
IP65: fully dust-tight and protected against water jets. Suitable for exposed positions including garden spike lights and post lights.
IP67/IP68: full dust protection and protection against full submersion. Needed for pond or water feature lighting.

It’s best to aim for a minimum of IP44 for any outdoor fitting.

To learn more about IP ratings and how they work, read our guide on IP ratings and lighting.

Browse our full outdoor lighting range to find fittings with the right rating for your space.

The Three Layers of Outdoor Lighting

Just like indoor spaces, the best garden lighting schemes use a layered approach. This means combining different types of light so each part of your outdoor space has exactly the right level of illumination.

The three layers are:

Ambient lighting: the general, all-over light that fills the space and makes it safe to move around.
Task lighting; focused light for specific areas like paths, steps and outdoor cooking spaces.
Accent lighting; decorative light that highlights features and adds personality to your garden.

When these three layers work together, your garden feels cohesive and more interesting after dark.

Outdoor Wall Lights

Wall lights provide ambient light around the exterior of the property, mark out entrances and create that welcoming glow that makes a home look inviting after dark.

Where to use outdoor wall lights:

Either side of a front door or gate for a classic look.
Along the side of the house to light a path or driveway.
Around a patio or seating area to create ambient light for evenings outside.
Above or below a key garden feature to draw the eye.

What to look for:

A minimum IP rating of IP44, ideally IP54 for more exposed positions.
A finish that suits your property’s style (classic lanterns for traditional homes, modern up/down lights or box fittings for contemporary properties).
PIR motion sensor options if you want added security without leaving lights on all night.

Our outdoor lighting collection includes everything from traditional bronze lanterns to sleek integrated LED wall lights, so there is something for every style of property.

Patio Lighting

The patio is an outdoor room used for dining, relaxing and entertaining. Plan your lighting to suit each of those activities.

Patio lighting ideas:

Overhead pendants or lanterns hung on a pergola or overhead structure give an atmospheric light that’s perfect for dining.
Wall lights on adjacent fences or walls create ambient light without being harsh.
Ground-level uplighters set into decking or paving add a stylish glow.
Post lights placed around the edges of the patio define the space and give it a sense of enclosure after dark.

Dimmers are a smart addition to patio lighting. They let you turn the brightness up for cooking or socialising and dial it back for a more relaxed atmosphere once you have settled in for the evening.

For more inspiration, take a look at our article on garden lighting ideas.

Path and Driveway Lighting

Path lighting makes your garden safe to navigate in the dark and adds real visual impact to your outdoor space.

Options for lighting paths and driveways:

Garden post lights placed at regular intervals along a path cast light downwards onto the walking surface.
Spike lights can be positioned at the edge of paths or borders, angled onto planting or the path itself.
Ground-level lights set into paving are a more subtle option that give a low, ambient glow.

Things to keep in mind:

Space path lights evenly so there are no dark gaps.
Choose a consistent finish or style throughout so the scheme looks intentional.
Make sure any lights set into paving or ground level are rated IP65 or above.

Browse our outdoor lighting range to find post lights and spike lights suitable for paths and driveways.

Security Lighting for Outdoors

Security lighting is a practical must for most homes. It helps you see when you are coming home after dark and deters intruders.

Your main options for security lighting:

PIR (passive infrared) motion sensor lights: these switch on automatically when movement is detected and switch off again after a set period. They are energy efficient because they are only on when needed and the sudden activation is an effective deterrent.
PIR wall lights: a more stylish take on the traditional floodlight, these integrated motion-sensor wall lights suit the exterior of the home far better and still give you the security benefit.
Solar PIR wall lights: a cable-free option that is easy to install and costs nothing to run once fitted.

Most security lighting should be positioned at entry points like the front door, back gate, garage and side access, as well as any darker corners of the garden that could provide cover.

Our outdoor lighting range includes a good selection of PIR and solar PIR options.

Ready to Plan Your Outdoor Lighting Scheme?

Good outdoor lighting needs to start with your key functional needs, including entrances, paths and security, and then build in the atmospheric and decorative layers once those are covered.

At IOS Lighting, we stock a wide range of garden lighting, patio lighting and landscape lighting options, all available to view in our Northampton showroom. Our team can help you choose the right fittings for your space, your style and your budget.

View our outdoor lighting to explore the full range, or come and visit us at our Northampton showroom and see our spectacular lights for yourself. If you have any questions, get in touch with us today and we will be happy to help.