California's largest specialty lighting retailer Lamps Plus has announced in its April 2013 Outdoor Living catalogue what it believes to be the latest and most popular outdoor lighting fads when it comes to masterminding the design of garden and patio areas.
First of all, the company outlined the growing desire for LED landscape lighting as increasing numbers of people look for ways to bring down their energy consumption - and thereby the cost of bills. What's more, many LED solutions can be solar-powered, which could not be more suitable for fittings which will spend most of their day basking in rays.
Another trend highlighted by the firm was for dark sky lighting. Manja Swanson, chief creative officer for Lamps Plus, said: "Created in response to a growing movement to reduce light pollution in the nighttime sky, dark sky wall lights often reflect downward or against the wall, adding a stylish addition to the exterior without adding glare to the sky above." In terms of aesthetics and enjoying your garden when the sun has gone down, this is imperative.
As the weather - hopefully - continues to improve, people will be toying more with the idea of entertaining - and perhaps plotting their first garden parties. Therefore, why not jump on the bandwagon also witnessed across the pond of investing in party lighting and candle lanterns to make your outdoor space look that extra bit pretty? LED candle lights can be perfect for this as they will not be blown out by a gutsy British breeze.
Ms Swanson highlighted the need for gardens to be well-designed as many people spend so much time in them carrying out a variety of activities - including everything from reading a book and chilling out to throwing extravagant parties and hosting busy barbecues.
Arguably, it is therefore important that all of these scenarios are taken into account when coming up with the lighting design for a garden, patio, terrace, porch or other outdoor space which will be used for any of these purposes. If, as Ms Swanson says, every good room inside begins with a successful lighting solution then why shouldn't an outdoor space?
