Lighting your Water Feature | Small Kitchen Garden Tips and Tricks

Since we spend many hours outdoors in summer it makes sense to use lighting in your garden. In the contemporary garden the use of lighting has become increasingly important where, when applied correctly, it has the ability to create a whole new world once night falls. Outdoor lighting can be used to new create new dimensions and dramatic effects anywhere in your garden. This is especially so when lighting is used to illuminate moving water, the resulting effect can be stunning.

While recognising the need to apply lighting to their water feature, many people struggle with how to position the lighting. Take into consideration that when it comes to creating your night-time wonderland that less really is more! Creating a sense of theatre through creating silhouettes and shadows is preferable to indiscriminately flood lighting an area. Although there are no hard and fast rules to the application of lighting to your feature, here we will guide you through some important considerations.

Electricity Supply

Since you probably already have a pump installed it is likely that you already have an outdoor power-point. All submersible lighting is low voltage but you will still need somewhere to plug in your transformer. If you do not have an outdoor power source contact a suitably licensed electrician who is experienced with outdoor fittings.

Maintenance

Just as you need to change your light bulbs inside your home you will occasionally need to replace them in your garden. Make sure that your light fittings are easily accessible to ensure performing routine maintenance is as easy as possible.

Colour

White light is most effective with outdoor lighting. Although many coloured lenses are often available they have a tendency to look positively garish in a residential setting. White light is also brighter than coloured lenses and is effective in creating shadows and silhouettes. Coloured lenses are best left to large commercial fountains with vibrant water displays.

Submersible or Dry Mounted Lighting?

When deciding whether to install submersible or dry mounted lighting fixtures, it is important to consider your water quality. If your water is full of algae or muddy then the effect of lighting from inside the water will be lost and the state of your water will be on show.

Clear water can benefit significantly from submersible lighting. Many different effects can be achieved from lighting from within your feature.

Lighting Effects

Still Water

Often is it best to use light fixtures to illuminate surrounding plants and features rather than lighting up the water itself. Lighting from above angled down will create mirrored reflections on the water’s surface. The darker the water is the better this effect can be achieved.

Submersible lighting can also be used to create a soft glow across the surface of the water. This is very effective when water lilies are present on the water’s surface.

Fountains

To effectively light a fountain the light source must come from within the water angled up at the fountain. This way the light will catch the air bubbles caused by turbulent water making them glow.

Waterfalls

To achieve the best outcome when illuminating a waterfall the light source should be placed behind the waterfall, backlighting it. This creates an entire new look and a sense of drama for your waterfall as evening falls.

Alternatively you could achieve a lovely effect through non directional lighting. Washing a rocky waterfall with light, highlighting the surrounding rocks and plant life rather than the water also provides an excellent look.

Features

There are a few lighting options for features these include:

Lighting the feature from above