Long summer evenings are one of the best things about living in Melbourne’s west. A well-lit deck, pergola or alfresco area means you can keep using the space after the sun goes down, for dinners, barbecues or just sitting out with a drink. Here’s how to plan lighting that looks good and works properly.
Start with how you’ll use the space
Before choosing fittings, think about what happens out there:
- Do you cook on a barbecue or outdoor kitchen?
- Do you eat at a table, or lounge on outdoor furniture?
- Are there steps, level changes or paths people walk at night?
- Do you want to see the garden from inside the house?
Each use needs a different kind of light. Planning it in layers gives you a space that works for everything.
Layer your lighting
- General light: downlights in the pergola or alfresco ceiling, or wall lights, to light the whole area.
- Task light: brighter, focused light over the barbecue, outdoor kitchen or bench.
- Mood light: softer light like LED strips under benches, festoon lighting or uplights on trees and feature walls.
- Safety light: step lights, path lights and sensor lights so nobody trips in the dark.
Putting each layer on its own switch, or using dimmers, lets you go from bright for cooking to soft for dinner.
Choose fittings rated for outdoors
Outdoor lights need to handle rain, dust and Melbourne’s weather. Look for the IP (ingress protection) rating on each fitting. As a rough guide:
- Covered areas, like under a solid roof, need protection from splashes and blown rain.
- Exposed areas, like an open pergola, garden beds and walls hit by rain, need fittings with a higher rating against water jets and dust.
- In-ground and step lights need fittings designed for that use, because water can pool around them.
We match each fitting to where it’s going. Using indoor fittings outside is one of the most common causes of the safety switch tripping when it rains.
Pick the right colour of light
Warm white light is usually best outdoors. It’s relaxing, flatters skin tones and food, and tends to attract fewer insects than cool white. Keep brighter, cooler light for the barbecue or work areas if you want it.
Think about your neighbours too. Point lights down and into your own space rather than over the fence, and avoid harsh floodlights near bedrooms.
Controls
- Dimmers let you set the mood. Make sure the fittings are dimmable.
- Sensors on paths, side gates and driveways add security and save power.
- Timers and smart switches can turn garden lighting on at dusk and off at bedtime.
- Separate circuits mean a fault in the garden lighting doesn’t black out the house.
Three simple layouts
The covered alfresco
Four to six dimmable LED downlights in the alfresco ceiling for general light, a brighter light over the barbecue, and an outdoor ceiling fan. Add a weatherproof double power point near the barbecue and another near the seating.
The open pergola
Weather-rated wall lights on the house wall, permanently installed festoon lighting across the pergola on its own switch, and LED strip lighting under a bench seat. A sensor light on the path back to the house.
The deck with steps
Step lights set into the risers or side of each step, low path lights along the garden edge, and a couple of uplights on a feature tree or wall. Keep everything warm white and dimmable for a calm look.
Don’t forget power
While you’re planning the lights, think about power. Weatherproof outdoor power points for the barbecue, heaters, a fridge, speakers or Christmas lights save a lot of extension leads. Ceiling fans are popular in alfresco areas too, and need to be rated for outdoor use.
Plan it early
If you’re building a new deck, pergola or alfresco, talk to us before the roof or ceiling lining goes on. Running cables is much easier and cheaper before everything is closed in. It’s also the best time to add outdoor power points and fan points.
Any lighting or power wired into your home’s electrical system must be installed by a licensed electrician. You’ll receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work.
Want to update the lighting inside as well? Read LED downlights vs old halogens.
Planning your outdoor lighting?
We’re a family-owned, licensed electrical business based in Point Cook, with more than 25 years of experience. We work across Williams Landing, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina and the rest of Melbourne’s west, and we take emergency calls 24/7. Find out more about our lighting and led downlights service.
Call us on 0405 418 132, or send a few details and a photo of the job. Every job is quoted before we start.