There’s much to think about when planning your garden room. Lighting is an important aspect of both your interior design scheme and the exterior of the building.
Your choice of lighting will certainly impact the look and feel of your space. It will also contribute to the functionality of your building. Lighting can make or break your garden room and so it is vital to make the right choices.
When positioned capitalise on natural light, a garden room can be a bright and airy space. But when the sun isn’t shining or when darkness falls, you will need lighting to illuminate your retreat.
Considerations before choosing your lighting
There are several factors to consider before settling upon your interior lighting:
- What will be the primary function of your garden room? Is it to be simply a place to relax or will you be working in the space, working out or teaching? Will your retreat be a multifunctional room? You will require lighting to facilitate each intended use.
- What is the orientation of your garden room? Where will the sun rise and set? This will influence the type of artificial lighting you will need.
- What is the ceiling height of your space? Due to planning rules, many garden rooms boast comparatively low ceilings which can mean that pendant lighting is unsuitable.
LED Downlights
A great solution for low ceilings, LED downlights are simple yet stylish options that complement contemporary spaces. They are recessed into your ceiling and so do not reduce the available space in your room.
LED downlights are also energy efficient, and you can choose from a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Better still, you can feature as many lights as you need to create a bright space that’s ideal for use as a home office, gym, therapy room, teaching space or art studio.
Wall washers
Also excellent options where ceilings are low, wall washers throw light up and across the horizontal plains of your room. Wall washers divert attention away from ceilings and so can create the illusion of greater height and they are perfect for creating a relaxing ambiance.
If your space is multifunctional, a combination of LED downlights and wall washers will enable you to work in a brighter room before enjoying a more comforting ambiance when it is time to relax or entertain.
You will discover diverse wall washers and so you can tailor your lighting to complement your décor.
Under-cabinet lighting
If your garden room boasts built-in cabinets or shelves, consider installing under-cabinet LED strips. These lights add a modern touch while providing focused illumination on work surfaces.
Spotlights or track lighting
For creative spaces or home offices, spotlights or track lighting allow you to direct light to precisely where it’s needed, whether you are painting, crafting, or doing your accounts.
Combine heat with light
If your ceiling height permits or if you are illuminating a dining table, you could install pendant heaters that also provide light. Patio heater pendant lights will conjure a wonderfully cosy atmosphere in the winter months.
Include lamps
Whatever the nature of your ceiling or wall lights, it is always worth featuring lamps in your space. Lamps could be used to provide task lighting for areas where you intend to work, read or craft and can also give you mood lighting. In other words, lamps ensure that your lighting scheme is versatile and flexible.
Of course, lamps are available in an enormous array of sizes and styles, ensuring that you will find the perfect lighting for your room.
Uplighting for plants or artwork
If you showcase plants, artwork or memorabilia in your garden room, consider using uplighters to highlight these appealing features. Uplighting adds a dramatic touch and diverts attention to specific areas of the room.
Make use of mirrors
Mirrors are firm favourite with interior designers. Mirrors suit any space and lend decorative detail to interiors. But they can also be used to reflect light into a room, and they certainly create the illusion of space. A wall mirror could make your garden room feel bigger and brighter in an instant.
Feature decorative lighting
Lighting will be primarily a functional element of your garden room, but stylish ceiling lights and lamps will also provide decorative detail.
You could also feature purely decorative lighting such as fairy lights, which will lend a touch of magic to your interior. LED colour changing lights would be stunning additions to any garden bar.
Don’t forget exterior lighting
Your interior lighting will influence the look and ambiance of your garden room and could dictate how well the space works for you. But don’t overlook the importance of exterior lighting. Your exterior lighting could enhance the beauty of your garden at night and will improve both safety and accessibility.
- Pathway lights: Solar-powered pathway lights can be placed along walkways or around your garden room to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere and to guide guests safely towards the door.
- Deck or step lighting: If your garden room features a deck or raised platform, small LED lights can be embedded into the steps or deck flooring for a stylish effect and to enhance safety.
- Wall-mounted outdoor lights: Installing wall-mounted lights on the exterior of your garden room will add an architectural element while providing the necessary light around entryways. Motion-sensor lights are also smart choices for security.
- Fairy Lights or Lanterns: For a softer, more decorative approach, adding fairy lights or hanging lanterns to your garden room will create a magical outdoor atmosphere, perfect for evening relaxation.
Let there be light!
Lighting is an aspect of interior and exterior design that is all too often overlooked. You will only realise just how important lighting is when you don’t have it! As soon as you start planning your garden room, think about how you will light it. Consider what you will need to create a practical and safe space but also the lighting options that will provide flexibility or that will lend style to your room.
Lighting can make all the difference to your building and in a variety of ways. You should definitely ensure that lighting is one of your priorities when planning your garden room.
Posted by Kennedy Garden Retreats