| Lighting your Water Feature | | | | be achieved. |
| Since we spend many hours outdoors in summer it | | | | Submersible lighting can also be used to create a soft |
| makes sense to use lighting in your garden. In the | | | | glow across the surface of the water. This is very |
| contemporary garden the use of lighting has become | | | | effective when water lilies are present on the |
| increasingly important where, when applied correctly, | | | | water's surface. |
| it has the ability to create a whole new world once | | | | Fountains |
| night falls. Outdoor lighting can be used to new | | | | To effectively light a fountain the light source must |
| create new dimensions and dramatic effects | | | | come from within the water angled up at the |
| anywhere in your garden. This is especially so when | | | | fountain. This way the light will catch the air bubbles |
| lighting is used to illuminate moving water, the | | | | caused by turbulent water making them glow. |
| resulting effect can be stunning. While recognising the | | | | Waterfalls |
| need to apply lighting to their water feature, many | | | | To achieve the best outcome when illuminating a |
| people struggle with how to position the lighting. | | | | waterfall the light source should be placed behind the |
| Take into consideration that when it comes to | | | | waterfall, backlighting it. This creates an entire new |
| creating your night-time wonderland that less really is | | | | look and a sense of drama for your waterfall as |
| more! Creating a sense of theatre through creating | | | | evening falls. |
| silhouettes and shadows is preferable to | | | | Alternatively you could achieve a lovely effect |
| indiscriminately flood lighting an area. Although there | | | | through non directional lighting. Washing a rocky |
| are no hard and fast rules to the application of | | | | waterfall with light, highlighting the surrounding rocks |
| lighting to your feature, here we will guide you | | | | and plant life rather than the water also provides an |
| through some important considerations. | | | | excellent look. |
| Electricity Supply | | | | Features |
| Since you probably already have a pump installed it is | | | | There are a few lighting options for features these |
| likely that you already have an outdoor power-point. | | | | include: Lighting the feature from above - this effect |
| All submersible lighting is low voltage but you will still | | | | is best when lighting is placed in a nearby tree and is |
| need somewhere to plug in your transformer. If you | | | | at least 3 meters high angled down at the feature, |
| do not have an outdoor power source contact a | | | | either in front or behind. |
| suitably licensed electrician who is experienced with | | | | Backlighting the feature - this effect creates a |
| outdoor fittings. | | | | silhouette of the feature and allows the feature to |
| Maintenance | | | | take on a whole new look at night. |
| Just as you need to change your light bulbs inside | | | | Spotlighting the feature - one or two spotlights can |
| your home you will occasionally need to replace them | | | | be dry-mounted in front of the features and angled |
| in your garden. Make sure that your light fittings are | | | | up effectively illuminating it. Underwater light fittings - |
| easily accessible to ensure performing routine | | | | Submersible light fixtures can be placed either in front |
| maintenance is as easy as possible. | | | | or behind the feature (or both) to create a dramatic |
| Colour | | | | effect. This is especially so when the water has |
| White light is most effective with outdoor lighting. | | | | movement causing the light to ripple over the |
| Although many coloured lenses are often available | | | | feature. |
| they have a tendency to look positively garish in a | | | | Water Walls |
| residential setting. White light is also brighter than | | | | Where your water wall clings to the surface of the |
| coloured lenses and is effective in creating shadows | | | | wall the best option here is to light from within the |
| and silhouettes. Coloured lenses are best left to large | | | | water. A submersible light angled at the wall here will |
| commercial fountains with vibrant water displays. | | | | create a mesmerising effect as it ripples on the |
| Submersible or Dry Mounted Lighting? | | | | water against the surface of the wall. |
| When deciding whether to install submersible or dry | | | | If your water projects out away from the wall |
| mounted lighting fixtures, it is important to consider | | | | backlighting the sheet of water provides a distinctive |
| your water quality. If your water is full of algae or | | | | effect. Take Time to Experiment |
| muddy then the effect of lighting from inside the | | | | Before racing out to purchase your lighting it is worth |
| water will be lost and the state of your water will be | | | | taking the time to test how various lighting |
| on show. | | | | techniques will look when applied to your garden. The |
| Clear water can benefit significantly from submersible | | | | best way to achieve this is to use a water-proof |
| lighting. Many different effects can be achieved from | | | | torch and experiment with it. Shine the torch from |
| lighting from within your feature. Lighting Effects Still | | | | above, behind, in front and below the surface of the |
| Water | | | | water until you get the effect you desire. |
| Often is it best to use light fixtures to illuminate | | | | Tip |
| surrounding plants and features rather than lighting up | | | | Avoid glare! Glare can be annoying when |
| the water itself. Lighting from above angled down will | | | | unaddressed. Take time to view your lighting set-up |
| create mirrored reflections on the water's surface. | | | | from all angles to ensure glare is minimised. |
| The darker the water is the better this effect can | | | | |