Sofia Delgado
The team at John Cullen Lighting created the illusion of a floating extension thanks to the use of LED strips under the cantilevered steps. The pool was fitted with halogen lights to help avoid the feel of having a hole on the ground
Lighting can totally transform your space, so it pays to give it as much thought outdoors as you would inside the house. It can draw attention to specific features, illuminate paths and help make your garden a safe, enjoyable place in the evenings.
To achieve a successful scheme you’ll have to plan ahead – ideally before your build is finished – and incorporate a mix of up and down lighting throughout. It’s becoming more common to combine fittings in planting with lighting in hard landscaped areas, such as plinths and steps, which will require you to plan the wiring early on.
The cladding and finishes will play a crucial role when it comes to choosing fittings. For stonework surfaces the trend is wall grazing – placing the lamp within 300mm of the wall – as it will bring out the texture and craftsmanship details, creating a stunning facade. Timberclad and rendered surfaces may benefit from placing the fixtures further away – wall washing – to give an even application of light.