Good to know: Outdoor Lighting
How to balance function and atmosphere in outdoor spaces
When it comes to lighting your home, outdoor spaces deserve just as much attention as your interiors. They are an extension of your living space, a place to relax, entertain and enjoy – potentially throughout the year. The right lighting will help transform these areas into luxurious, welcoming environments.
When planning the lighting concept for your balcony, terrace or garden, you need to consider both aesthetics and practical requirements. In this guide, we’ll share tips and practical advice to help you light your outdoor space thoughtfully.
By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped to make the right choices – from understanding IP ratings to layering light just as you would indoors.
Why Outdoor-Specific Lighting Matters
It’s essential to check the IP rating of any fitting you’re considering for outdoor use. ‘IP’ stands for Ingress Protection and indicates how well a fitting is protected against dust and water. The first number rates protection against solids such as dust, while the second rates protection against liquids such as rain.
For safety and longevity, outdoor lights must meet a minimum rating. Choose IP43 or higher for covered areas such as porches, and IP44 or higher for fully exposed locations.
For standard, fully exposed wall-mounted fittings (think porch sconces, garage-façade lights or pathway wall lanterns) you should never go below IP44, but IP54 or IP55 offers a better margin of safety. IP44 will stop most splashes and small objects, whereas IP54 adds protection against limited dust ingress and splashes from any direction, and IP55 even defends against low-pressure water jets. If your walls get direct spray from sprinklers or you live in a particularly windy, rain-soaked location, step up to IP65; that rating guarantees total dust exclusion and resistance to powerful water jets.
In true marine or harsh coastal settings, where salt spray, driven rain and humidity relentlessly attack metal and seals, look for IP68 fixtures with marine-grade housings. These lights are built with extra-tough gaskets and corrosion-resistant finishes, so they’ll keep glowing beautifully, without rust streaks or damaged seals, for years in even the iciest sea breeze.
We offer a wide range of lights designed specifically for outdoor use, combining durability with timeless style. To confirm if a fitting is suitable for external areas, check the ‘Specifications & Downloads’ section on the product page and refer to the ‘Suitability’ specification.
Layering Your Outdoor Lighting
Transform your patio, terrace or garden into distinct, welcoming spaces by stacking three complementary layers of light.
Base Layer
Lay down low-level fittings such as step lights guide movement safely and define each area.
Task layer
Introduce mid-height lighting: a dimmable pendant or downward-facing wall light above an al-fresco dining table, or a compact wall-mounted lantern on a city-apartment balcony. This ensures comfort and security without overwhelming a small footprint.
Accent layer
Add portable or decorative lighting: battery-powered table lights create a sense of intimacy – our Blossom Portable Light even sports an IP44-rating, so it can withstand the first drops of a rain shower.
For terraces with dining areas, opt for warm-white light sources (2,700 K) to avoid a cold glare. Complete the scheme with a consistent path-lighting rhythm, spaced so there are no dark gaps, and backlight larger surfaces such as walls, water features or planters with concealed LEDs to amplify depth without extra fittings. By tailoring each layer to its context – may that be poolside, balcony, dining terrace or garden pathway –you’ll achieve an arrangement that is both supremely practical and effortlessly stylish.
Materials Matter
When specifying outdoor lighting, material choice is crucial for longevity and style. Solid brass, bronze and copper are favoured for their inherent corrosion resistance and the way they mature outdoors. They’ll darken and develop a patina over time, giving each fitting character.
All our outdoor lanterns and wall lights are hand-finished in England using time-honoured techniques honed on marine and architectural projects, so you can trust their performance in exposed conditions and their lasting appearance.
Galvanised iron and natural aluminium will eventually corrode in coastal or humid climates; if you must use aluminium, look for an anodised finish to improve weather resistance. Although stainless steel resists rust, it rarely adopts the warmer tones of bronze or copper that suit both traditional and contemporary schemes.
Whatever you choose, ensure seals and fixings are marine-grade to withstand salty air and driving rain – this way, your outdoor lights will stay secure and striking year after year.
Design That Complements Your Space
Effective outdoor lighting always responds to its setting. Note the finish and hue of nearby walls or cladding: a pale stone façade will reflect and amplify light, while dark brick or timber absorbs it, so you may need stronger accent or uplights to achieve the desired glow.
Likewise, textured surfaces (pebbled render, roughcast or slatted screens) catch grazing beams beautifully, emphasising depth and shadow. Position wall washers or narrow-beam uplights close to the surface to maximise that sculptural effect.
Don’t overlook existing light sources: neighbouring street lamps, interior spill-through or even moonlight can influence your scheme. Aim to complement rather than compete – choose warmer-toned lanterns if there’s a cool-white security light, or position task fittings so they won’t cast glare into adjacent rooms.
Pay attention to landscape elements too. A wet patio will mirror low-level lights for dramatic reflection, while planting beds with glossy leaves will pick up subtle uplighting. Around pools or water features, select waterproof fittings and consider the refracted patterns on surrounding masonry. On terraces or balconies, coordinate lantern styles with rail or balustrade materials, clipping festoon cables to follow architectural lines rather than cutting across them.
By tailoring your choice of fittings, beam angles and colour temperature to the textures, materials and ambient illumination already present, you’ll create a cohesive, layered scheme that feels perfectly at home.
