Light up your plants

The days are getting longer and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the evenings on your balcony or garden. Installing a few lights in your outdoor space changes its entire mood. Here are a few lighting ideas you can try at home and delight your guests when you will host drinks or dinner alfresco. I like to keep things simple, especially when I am hosting. Forget the multicolor disco lights, unless you are throwing a themed party, and go for a lighting plan that is functional and easy to maintain.

A garden and terrace in Stanley

Fairy lights

Nowadays you can find fairy lights that operate on batteries or better, on solar power. Delicately wrap your plant or tree with the fairy lights and make sure that the solar panel is facing the sun during the day. In order to avoid the Christmas tree look, choose a warm white and select a lighting mode that is gradual and at a slow pace.

Accent lights

These table lights can be transported easily and used as a decorative item during the day, and night. Their cordless feature makes them versatile and I like to place them from the dinner table to the tree branches for a special evening.

A solar lantern illuminating a camellia bush

Fire torches

Did you know that these torches could also be used as mosquito repellent if you use citronella oil? The tiki bamboo torches add a fabulous tropical island vibe that will put you in the mood for your favorite sundowner. Go for the black steel fire torches for a more contemporary ambiance.

Floodlights

If you have a larger outdoor space, floodlights are powerful lights that illuminate an entire patio. Because this light is so strong, I like to orientate it to a feature wall or tree to create interesting shadows or highlight texture.

A floodlight at a 30 degree angle illuminating a palm tree