Outdoor lighting can turn your garden, patio, or driveway into a warm and welcoming space, boosting security and deterring unwanted visitors.
Poorly installed lighting, however, can pose risks—leading to trips and falls, electrical fires, and damage to your home’s exterior.
The good news is that with a few simple outdoor lighting ideas and rules, you can have a beautifully lit outdoor space without compromising safety.
Below, we’ll go through the dos and don’ts of outdoor lighting to help you create a safe, stylish, and functional scheme.
The Dos
1. Choose Weatherproof Fixtures
Buy lighting fixtures rated for outdoor use (look for an IP44 rating or higher). These are designed to withstand rain, damp and dust conditions that would quickly ruin ordinary indoor lights. Stainless steel or corrosion-resistant finishes will keep your fittings looking smart year after year.
2. Plan Your Layout
Before you start drilling any holes, draw a simple plan. Mark where the walkways, steps, and seating areas are and position the lights to illuminate these areas. Aim for even coverage: avoid bright hotspots and deep shadows, which can be just as dangerous as total darkness. Low-level bollard lights, uplighters for trees, and wall-mounted lanterns work together to create layers of light and visibility.
3. Use the Right Bulbs and Wattage
Check each fitting’s maximum wattage and stay below it. Overpowering a lamp can cause overheating or damage to the fixture. LED bulbs are great for outdoor use: they run cool, use minimal electricity and last far longer than halogen or incandescent bulbs. Plus, you can choose warm or cool colour temperatures to suit your outdoor style.
4. Use Timers and Motion Sensors
Timers let you automate your lights, so they turn on at dusk and off at a reasonable hour—saving energy and sparing you the hassle of manual control. Motion sensors add an extra layer of security: lights that spring to life when someone approaches will startle intruders and guide late-night visitors to your front door.
5. Protect Cables and Connections
Use outdoor-rated cable and connectors. Bury cables at least 10cm below the surface if they cross lawns or borders, and use proper conduit where cables run along walls. Leave junction boxes accessible (but sealed) for future inspections or repairs. Regularly inspect cables for cracks or wear and replace any suspect sections immediately.
6. Install RCD Protection
Residual Current Devices (RCDs), also called Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), cut power in the event of a leak to earth. For all exterior lighting circuits, an RCD is essential. It reduces the risk of fatal electric shocks by detecting even small imbalances in current and switching off at lightning speed.
7. Seek Professional Help When Needed
If you’re unsure about wiring, circuit layouts or load-bearing capacities, enlist a qualified electrician. A one-off installation fee is small compared to the cost and danger of a DIY mishap. Professionals will also ensure your setup meets current Part P building regulations, giving you peace of mind and avoiding costly future corrections.
The Don’ts
1. Don’t Overload Circuits
It’s tempting to add more and more lights until every nook and cranny is aglow—but every extra lamp draws current. Exceeding a circuit’s capacity risks tripped breakers, melted cables or fires. Plan your circuit loads carefully and spread fittings across multiple circuits if necessary.
2. Don’t Ignore Poor Drainage
Flooded lamp posts or waterlogged junction boxes are accidents waiting to happen. Ensure localised drainage or raised bases so water doesn’t pool around fittings. If you see puddles near your lights after rain, redirect the runoff or install gravel beds to improve drainage.
3. Don’t Use Indoor-Only Products Outside
Some decorative lanterns or fairy light strings look great, but are meant for inside. When these are used outside, the exposed wiring and sockets can quickly deteriorate or allow moisture ingress—creating a shock hazard. Always check the manufacturer’s outdoor usage label before installing.
4. Don’t Conceal Faulty Wiring
“Out of sight, out of mind” is a dangerous attitude with electrics. Concealing frayed cables or loose connections within walls or beneath decking means they go unchecked year after year. Visible inspections are your first line of defence—if you spot damage, switch off the circuit and replace the faulty component without delay.
5. Don’t Forget to Turn Off the Power Before Work
Even a minor tweak—like changing a bulb or adjusting a sensor—should be preceded by isolating the circuit at the fuse box or RCD. It takes seconds but can save you from a serious electric shock. Never rely on just switching off the light switch; always kill the power at the source.
6. Don’t Place Lights Too Close to Flammable Materials
Damp vines or dry wood decking can catch fire if lamp housings overheat. Keep the recommended clearance from each fitting (usually 10 cm) and for uplighters, angle beams away from plant foliage and don’t bury fixtures in shrubbery.
7. Don’t Leave Faults Unchecked
A flickering lamp or sensor that doesn’t trigger could be more than an annoyance: it could be water ingress or component fatigue. Check every season. Replace bulbs and tighten loose screws or brackets to keep your system running.
Stress-Free Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is all about balance. Use weatherproof LEDs, plan your layout and protect circuits with RCDs. Don’t overload, use indoor-only fittings and poor drainage. A quick seasonal check—testing sensors, tightening fixtures and swapping flickering bulbs—keeps everything running. When in doubt, call a qualified electrician. Follow these simple rules and you’ll have a lit, stress-free outdoor space all year round.