Low voltage outdoor lighting. How to organize the lighting of a summer cottage Do-it-yourself lighting of a summer cottage

It is doubly pleasant to hold gatherings with friends or parties at night, especially if you have a dacha - the open sky is always better than languid rooms. Therefore, such a nuance as lighting a summer cottage cannot be ignored. If you have sufficient funds, you can buy a system of lighting fixtures, install them and enjoy.

Otherwise, if you want to do everything yourself, our article will help you, in which we will prompt and advise what needs to be considered when organizing the lighting of a summer cottage.

What is street lighting like?

Previously, a few light bulbs were enough for street lighting of a suburban area. Now, thanks to properly selected compositions, light can perform two functions at once - aesthetic and practical. Generally speaking, the lighting system consists of lanterns, LEDs, garlands and candles.

Lanterns are a classic element. Today's market offers two options - electrics and solar panels. All lighting options on the site are interesting in their own way.

It is worth saying that solar energy is more convenient - no need to run power cables. However, here the question arises about the price - it is quite high.

LED strips are gaining more and more popularity - they are not afraid of moisture, and they can decorate stairs, furniture and even the facade of buildings. In addition, they consume little electricity, are easy to maintain and are durable.

Not only on holidays you can turn on garlands. This type of lighting will look beautiful in closed spaces, such as a gazebo. To make the garland relevant at any time of the year, decorate the light bulbs using glass cups.

Candles are more suitable as decorative lighting - they cannot be used every day. In particular, it is worth considering the wind, fragility.

Planning a lighting system

First, as you already understood, what needs to be decided is how much and what kind of light will be. Next, you need to do a schematic drawing, which indicates the important areas, as well as the connection to the power supply. Consider a separate machine for street lighting - it is convenient and reliable at the same time.

If you need clear instructions on how to make outdoor lighting, we present you with a guide that will definitely help with solving this problem.

It is only necessary to take into account some of the nuances of your summer cottage, as well as the power supply network. Copy the plan of your entire estate from the technical passport. A scale of 1 to 100 will be enough. Apply a few lighting points to the places where the devices will be.

Using the resulting situational diagram, make an electrical one. Here you have to take into account all the switches. In addition, try turning on other electrical devices in your area - it could be a bell or something.

It is enough to have basic skills in handling electricity, and this task is half solved. After all this, you can start installing landscape lighting and connecting to the network.

Automation

Some consumers leave the work of turning the street light on and off for themselves. Others automate this action with three different options.

The twilight relay, for example, recognizes when it is evening and automatically turns on the lights.

The astronomical relay is configured for the location of the house, and then it calculates when it is necessary to turn the lights on and off.

A "temporary" relay is perfect for those who are economical in energy consumption. It is pre-configured for a certain interval, and after manually turning on the light, it will turn it off after a specified time.

Conclusion

Your main task is to find "sites" where you can not do without artificial lighting. Thanks to the right light, your summer cottage will appear before the guests in completely different colors, which will definitely add a pleasant atmosphere.

We wish you good luck in this matter, and photo examples of site lighting will definitely help you find a suitable option and decide which one is best for your estate.

Photo lighting suburban area

Street lighting for a country house solves a number of problems - it allows you to emphasize the architectural attractiveness of the building and the landscape, make it safe to move along the paths, and ensure the protection of the site.

Outdoor lighting is conditionally divided into several main types:

• functional;
• decorative;
• marking;
• security.

Usually several types of illumination are used simultaneously. Modern technologies make it possible to create spectacular, durable and easy-to-manage lighting for a country house that meets all safety requirements.

Functional lighting

For safety purposes, with the help of lamps and lanterns, the following are illuminated:

• main tracks;
• entrance doors;
• gates and gates;
• alcove;
• entrance to the garage;
• structures enclosing the site;
• outbuildings, utility yard, etc.

To illuminate the main paths and parking areas, lanterns on poles above human height with durable high-pressure gas discharge lamps and good optics are suitable, which allows you to evenly illuminate the area or the track. The power of the lamps depends on the size of the illuminated area or the width of the track, as well as on the distance between the lamps.

Lighting control is carried out manually using a knife switch or automatically - when a twilight relay or a programmable timer is triggered.

Gates and gates can be illuminated with lanterns mounted on the ends of the pillars to which the wings are attached, or on consoles attached to them. If the lanterns are located on top of the poles, they simultaneously illuminate part of the path or entrance. It is recommended to use lamps whose light radiation is directed downwards - they will not interfere with those living in the house. Lighting control - manual or automatic.

The illumination of the garage and outbuildings is carried out using wall lights - they allow you to designate the entrance or entrance. For this purpose, energy-saving lamps of low power are used. Such lighting can be switched on simultaneously with the rest of the functional lighting or triggered by a motion sensor.

In order to be able to perform various tasks in the farm yard after sunset, it is required to organize lighting with the help of several floodlights, installing them on buildings or special supports. Such lighting is controlled by a switch.

A gazebo lighting fixture is usually installed under the ceiling in the center of the roof. The best option is a ceiling with a matte diffuser, the light should flood the gazebo and not distort the colors. If the gazebo is built from non-combustible materials, the waterproof switch can be mounted directly in it, if the structures are made of wood, then the switch must be located in the house or in another capital building.

The entrance doors to the house, the entrance to the terrace from the site are illuminated by wall lamps that can be used on their own or be part of the effective decorative lighting of the building.

decorative lighting

Decorative lighting of the house and the site helps to add comfort, create a cozy and attractive environment, add expressiveness to the building and landscape.

The building is illuminated entirely or spotlighted - in the latter case, it is important to correctly determine which structures it is advantageous to emphasize with light in order to add attractiveness to the building. Light sources installed directly on the building or on additional structures must be positioned in such a way that the light fluxes do not create inconvenience for people in the house.

Decorative lighting of the building to some extent solves the issue of highlighting the areas of the site closest to it, since reflected rays fall on the adjacent territory. But to create a spectacular light ensemble on the entire site or part of it, you will need to place point light sources.

With the help of lanterns on supports of a suitable height, lamps installed on the ground, underwater and ground illumination of reservoirs, spot lighting of garden sculptures, groups of trees or bushes, illumination of paths and flower beds, a unique and is created.

Decorative lighting is usually controlled from a remote control located in the house. Selected decorative lighting groups can be programmed to turn on automatically.

Marking illumination

It is used for light designation of certain objects in the dark. The functional purpose of the marking illumination is to ensure the safety of the movement of people and vehicles.

Luminous are used for marking illumination:

• elements on the steps of stairs on the paths laid on the site;
• bollards enclosing sites or restricting entry;
• paving elements for paths.

Specialized lighting fixtures for marking lighting are characterized by high mechanical strength and weather resistance. They are suitable for seasonal or year-round use.

security lighting

Security lighting is called accompanying lighting, which is provided by free-standing lamps equipped with motion sensors. Such a system promptly informs about unauthorized entry into the site.

Security lighting fixtures are located in such a way that all approaches to the door fall within the range of motion sensors. It is important that there are no "dead zones" that hackers can take advantage of.

Spotlights automatically fire when a moving object enters the sensor's coverage area. Therefore, it is customary to install accompanying lighting not only for protection, but also for equipping paths to auxiliary outbuildings - in this case, it is not necessary to specifically turn on and off the lights or keep the lighting constantly on.

Accompanying outdoor lighting goes out automatically a few minutes after being triggered. This time interval is programmed manually and ranges from 5 minutes to half an hour, depending on the device model.

Solar lamps

Modern technologies have made it possible to widely use solar-powered lighting devices for decorative and functional illumination of the site. The advantages of such lamps include:

• energy independence (autonomy of work);
• extremely simple installation;
• the ability to change the arrangement of spot lighting at any time, add additional light sources;
• resistance to external influences;
• durability;
• unpretentiousness in care.

Lighting the site with solar-powered lamps makes it possible to save electricity on decorative lighting. The solar battery accumulates energy during daylight hours and, at dusk, gives it to the light source - the LED.

Charge accumulation occurs at any time of the year, cloudiness practically does not affect its efficiency, since photovoltaic plates are highly sensitive. The devices are completely electrically safe for humans and pets.

Such lamps give a soft, diffused light. They can be installed for functional lighting of paths, driveways, barbecue areas, they are used for decorative lighting (including color) of ponds, sculptures, flower beds, recreation areas.

A variety of shapes and colors, the power of the luminous flux, allows you to fit solar-powered lamps into any landscape and create an interesting designer lighting of the site.

Solar-powered lights should be installed in places accessible to sunlight. They work in automatic mode, switched on by the command of the built-in twilight sensor, and are able to provide outdoor lighting for the house and the site for 10 hours.

Arrangement of a traditional system

Classic country house lighting involves the use of incandescent lamps or their modern substitutes, connected by cable and connected to the mains. It is important to use lighting fixtures made specifically for outdoor use. They are waterproof and dustproof, resistant to temperature extremes, designed for long-term operation.

At the design stage, it is important to highlight the areas of the site and the objects that will be illuminated (paths, ponds, buildings, etc.), choose the best light sources and determine their placement, taking into account the power of the lamps and the direction of the light flux. Each zone corresponds to a certain group of lighting devices, for the connection of which a separate cable is used.

After marking the territory, pits are prepared for the foundations for the lantern supports, they are connected by trenches 50-80 cm deep for laying the cable. The trench from the extreme pit should approach the house, where the laid cables are inserted into a specially equipped electrical panel.

At the bottom of the trenches and pits, a sand cushion 10 cm thick is laid, the cable must have reliable insulation and be placed in a metal sleeve, in the places where the fixtures are installed, it is brought to the surface with loops. The trenches are covered with 10 cm of sand, and then with rubble, bricks or tiles can be laid to protect the electrical wiring from accidental mechanical damage.

After the supports, lamps are installed. It is important to ensure that the connection points of the contacts are reliably insulated and protected from moisture. All installation work is carried out with the power off.

In order for outdoor lighting to be controlled not only by a knife switch in the electrical panel, a special remote control with switches is installed. Programmable electronic control and the installation of a twilight sensor fully automate the process - the facade and site will be illuminated without human intervention.

Well-thought-out and well-implemented energy-efficient lighting of buildings and landscapes involves the use of modern economical and durable lighting devices.

With the onset of summer, many people move to summer cottages. We have been waiting for warmth and sun for so long that now we strive to spend as much time as possible in nature, in the fresh air. Sometimes country parties continue until the morning, so lighting a summer cottage, garden, veranda becomes an urgent issue. It is generally accepted that the lighting of the dacha ends with a garden lantern standing on the table and “Ilyich’s light bulb” at the entrance. Otherwise, you should prepare for huge expenses: we have all been to garden supermarkets and seen how much beautiful garden lamps and lamps cost. More or less affordable flashlights can be found in some online stores.

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Fairy lights

They can be found in absolutely any hypermarket for the home, they are usually quite inexpensive, but what a wonderful atmosphere you can create with their help on the country veranda! For a porch and veranda closed from the rain, New Year's garlands are perfect, gathering dust all summer around in closets and on the mezzanine.

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To save energy, you don't have to turn them on every night, but if you're inviting friends to a fun summer party or celebrating an important event with your family, a garland is an indispensable thing to create a festive mood!

You can improve the garland with your own hands.

Create cute ceiling balloons from threads, twine, white clothesline: inflate small balloons, wrap a rope around them, smeared with PVA glue, after the glue dries, burst and take out the balloon. We pass a wire with a light bulb - beautiful home-made shades are ready!

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An alternative to rope balls is glass shades from cans. Good for garlands with large bulbs.

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For a long garland of small light bulbs, you can create a wire frame ball:

A multi-colored New Year's garland can simply be placed in a bottle or jar - you get an elegant lamp that can be easily moved to any place near the outlet.

Candles

Candles give a little light, but only they have that special charm that creates a romantic atmosphere. Candles are indispensable if you are celebrating a wedding or arranging a dinner for two in your backyard.

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You can also make lanterns for candles with your own hands from improvised means. You will need wire or rope, as well as glass jars. Sand or small pebbles can be poured at the bottom of the jars - in this case it will be easier for you to change the candles, and the wax will not stain the bottom of the jars.

These lanterns can be made from old tin cans. A great way to keep the kids busy!

Having shown imagination, you can come up with a lot of different ways to decorate a house or cottage with candles.

Lanterns

These lights already require some investment, but they look incredibly impressive!

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Another interesting idea is bottled kerosene lamps. It will require some labor, but the result will be unusual and budgetary.

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An option that I really like: ceiling lamps from an old chandelier + simple street lamps or garlands - and stylish lamps are ready.

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LED lights

A simple but effective lighting option is a waterproof LED strip. She can highlight steps, benches, the facade of the house.

If you do not have a dacha, then, of course, you can successfully implement all these techniques on your balcony. You can read about the design of open balconies.

Beautiful lighting in the summer cottage is an integral part of a comfortable stay that you will remember on long winter evenings. I hope that my tips will be useful to you in creating a romantic atmosphere in the garden or on the veranda.

• ✓ Using LEDs to illuminate the area
• ✓ Solars for the site
• ✓ Installation of a lighting system in the area around the house - rules
• ✓ Do-it-yourself outdoor lighting network on the site - Figure 1:
• ✓ Street lighting options
• ✓ Street lights
• ✓ Garden fireflies
• ✓ Rare items
• ✓ Candles on the site

How to illuminate the area around a country country house - outdoor lighting device

Properly arranged lighting of the site (whether it is a simple cottage where a place to relax or a country house where you live permanently) is not only convenient and functional, but also very beautiful. Remember how beautiful the site decorated with garlands on New Year's holidays looks - why not give it such beauty for the whole year?

Typically, lanterns are located at the entrance doors, on balconies and terraces, that is, in those places where penetration into the house is possible.

In terms of lighting design, you can realize any of your needs, unfortunately limited only by your financial capabilities. But first, think about the same safety - say, how to walk along the path without the risk of stumbling and falling into a rose bush.

Calculate the lighting in such a way that the entire area is visible.

However, beauty should not be forgotten either, for example, solely for your own pleasure or out of a desire to impress guests, you can place decorative figures in the garden, charging from the sun's rays during the day and flickering with magical light at night.

It is interesting to use different lamps from the same collection (high, low, two-horn), or you can install different types of lighting: let the territory be illuminated by ordinary lanterns, a dwarf pine - illuminated by a spotlight (why not green?), And the bridge over the pond is decorated with colored LED strip, and small-leaved linden can also be entangled with an LED garland. Such decor does not differ in style unity, but many people like it - especially if the area is large, and the listed types of lighting are at a decent distance from each other.

We save energy

It is unlikely that there are still homeowners who insert ordinary incandescent lamps into outdoor lights. Why? Because, firstly, everyone is tired of replacing light bulbs that burn out quickly, and secondly, we have long learned to be rational and made sure that energy-saving light sources work much longer and consume less electricity. The problem with the "cold" light that energy-saving lamps emitted was also resolved - now you can buy a "warm" lamp and get the effect of a regular "Ilyich's light bulb".

The downside of fluorescent lamps is that they contain mercury vapor, which is not good for the environment. However, today the "green" approach to the problem loses to the calculator, and the vast majority of homeowners have switched to energy-saving technologies.

Use of LEDs for site lighting

For all progressive mankind, LEDs are now in vogue - this is the most economical type of lighting, moreover, these light bulbs do not contain mercury and work even longer than energy-saving ones. True, they are more expensive, but the costs pay off with interest. Especially in winter when daylight hours are short. The LED is an integral part of the lamp, but you can also screw the LED light bulb into an ordinary “flask” in the old fashioned way - in fact, few people do this, but in theory this option is possible.

A big plus of LEDs is that they consume little electricity, powered by a safe voltage of 12-24 V, while energy-saving and conventional incandescent lamps operate from 220 V. True, this feature requires the installation of a special transformer in the circuit that converts the mains voltage to low voltage. As for the "cold" light that many fear, then you have a choice. The light temperature (warm / cold) of the LED is set initially, and you can buy a suitable model. In addition, there is a special automation that allows you to adjust this temperature. Such devices are expensive, and therefore are not in great demand.

It is worth adding that the LED has surpassed its competitors in one more aspect - it emits a narrow frequency spectrum, and therefore its light is more pleasing to the human eye. However, there is no perfection in the world, so LED lighting has its drawbacks. The first is that lighting specialists who take part in construction and landscape work cannot calculate how many lamps will be required to cover the entire territory and avoid “dead zones”. The properties of the LEDs do not allow programming for the project. And the second minus is that it is still more like spot lighting, when compared with energy-saving lamps. Nevertheless, there are serious reasons to believe that the future belongs to him.

There is another point that causes certain difficulties. The fact is that our stores are flooded with Chinese products that professionals do not use. Authoritative brands, such as Philips, Osram and a number of others, sell their goods at a high price, and their lines are presented much more modestly than Chinese ones.

Solars for the site

So you can call the lamps powered by sunlight. There are a lot of them in all garden stores. There are ordinary, strict lamps designed to mark the path, the entrance to the house, but decorative models enliven the market for "solar" lamps. Ladybugs, frogs, dogs with a flashlight - multi-colored figures can be placed around the site, giving it a special charm.

Such lamps are charged during daylight hours, from the sun's rays. However, if the day is overcast, charging still occurs, because ultraviolet penetrates through the clouds. At night, "fireflies" give off the accumulated energy.

However, it is not worth seriously counting on the fact that solars are able to fully illuminate the territory - they are too weak for this.

The market offers both budget options, suitable at best for summer cottages (they can work only 3-4 hours and are not suitable for operation in winter), and expensive models - they last for 8 hours. However, even such solars are advisable to buy exclusively to create a light intrigue that makes the night landscape more interesting.

Photo: Options for lamps and lighting for a summer cottage and a country house

Installation of a lighting system in the area around the house - rules

Whether you combine different types of lighting or choose one, in any case, preparatory work is needed, namely: digging trenches, laying cables and installing automation.

The depth of the trench should be about 50 cm, and its filling should resemble a pie: first, a layer of sand is poured (about 10 cm), then the cable is laid, covered with a second layer of sand, over which it would be nice to lay a red tape warning that you can’t dig here .

The cable must be three-core, grounded, and packed in an armored PMD pipe. Next, you pour the soil and sow the grass. Concrete is pre-poured at the cable exit point to the surface (for low and medium lanterns, the base depth is approximately 50 cm).

In the classic version, the solution is poured into a removable formwork and, if the lamp is high and very heavy, the concrete is reinforced. For a lantern up to 2 m high, reinforcement is not required. Moreover, you can do without formwork - for example, stick a plastic pipe into the ground and fill its cavity with a binder mass. For high, massive lanterns, special mortgages are produced, which is very convenient. They are mounted in a concrete solution, and then a lamp is installed. Thus, the quality of fastening is improved.

The source of electrical supply is located in the main switchboard - in warm outbuildings or in the house itself. So that no one gets hurt if the cable is damaged, an RCD (protection against electric shock) of 30 mlA is installed on the shield.

LED lamps require a different cable - low voltage. To do this, a transformer is placed near the main shield that converts the voltage, and then the corresponding cable is laid.

If, for any reason, cabling is not possible, install a system that operates on a radio signal. To do this, a special relay is inserted into the electrical circuit.

After decorating your home and garden with lights, think about the cost of electricity they will require. Perhaps it makes sense to switch to a two-tariff payment system - in winter, when the nights are long, this will provide significant savings.

Do-it-yourself outdoor lighting network device on the site - Figure 1:

This site lighting installation scheme can only serve as the most general example, since in the design of a summer cottage, everything, of course, is purely individual.

Note to the summer resident, the owner of a country house

There are light sensors called twilight sensors for their ability to respond to light levels. There are those that react to movement (there are also combined options). Motion sensors have a range of 12 m, and a viewing angle of up to 360°.

Such automation can be installed right before leaving the house, you leave the house, and the entire backlight line lights up. You can program the motion sensor so that it works with a delay of 30 seconds to half an hour. For example, you let your dog out late in the evening for a walk for about twenty minutes. All this time the light will be on. And when the dog returns to the 8th house, you no longer need to think about switches - the light will turn off the sensor. As for twilight sensors, it is better to install them on the north side.

Fountains are often built on sites, artificial ponds are dug. Rarely build outdoor pools.

Read more about arranging a do-it-yourself pond in the country

The pond can be illuminated so that it will look unusually impressive. However, there are differences between Russian and European legislation. If in Europe it is sometimes allowed to install devices with a voltage of 220 V under water, then in Russia this is prohibited. From which it follows that we can only use low-voltage halogen lamps or LEDs. In general, after the advent of LEDs, it became interesting to work with water bodies - you can get different effects on the surface of the water, use different colors, moreover, without violating the standards. Of course, protected luminaires with an IP86 and higher ingress protection index are required. If this is a fountain where they don’t bathe on Paratrooper’s Day, then spots are suitable: they are installed on the surface, for example, on the bottom and direct the light where you need it. In pools and ponds, fixtures are attached to the wall.

Street lighting can be controlled using ordinary switches. You just need to duplicate them on both sides of the wall. If the backlight is included in the "smart home" system, then the control is carried out from the remote control or panel. Radio control occurs either from the key or from the remote control (both options can be selected at once). Street lighting, powered from a socket, requires compliance with certain rules.

So, a garden outlet, fortified on the street, must be waterproof and “packed” in a metal box located at a height of 60 cm from ground level. In winter, this box needs to be cleared of snow, and before the flood it would be good to remove snow around so that a “sea” does not form “on the approaches”.

On holidays, especially in the New Year, I want to decorate the cottage, or the area around the country house for the New Year, with the help of original, bright lighting: garlands, LED figures.

To connect these festive attributes to the network, you need to run the cable to street outlets that have an IP67 dust and moisture protection rating. If an extension cord is required, buy a frost-resistant one, brand US-4-30, with an industrial flexible cable KG 3 x 1.5. Street sockets have a high class of protection against adverse environmental influences. First of all, it is a sealed case that does not allow dust and moisture to get inside the device.

The street outlet itself can be made anywhere, the main thing is to follow the necessary rules and thereby protect the house from a short circuit, and yourself from electric shock. If you plan to mount the socket on the wall of the house (to connect the garlands, which, for example, will decorate the railing of the balcony balustrade), then it is advisable to place it at least 60 cm from the floor.

If you are a fan of automation, then street light control can be included in the “smart home” system by programming musical accompaniment, there are lamps connected to an acoustic installation, which allows them not only to shine, but also to sound.

Comparative characteristics of different types and types of llamas that can be used to organize lighting - table 1

Street lighting options

Street lights

It is hard to imagine garden lighting without street lamps. Their range is quite diverse: cantilevered and wall-mounted, floating on water and standing on cast-iron supports, classic look or modern LED lights.

Easily fitting into any plant composition, the lanterns look great in the form of paired guards at the gazebo, gate or entrance gate, and hung in a row between window openings significantly enhance the style of the house. A large lantern with a spectacular design can become the main figure in the decoration of arches and doorways.

Pretentious forged models on high legs, reminiscent of traditional park lights. A somewhat lightweight and glamorous option is curving thin support stems with flower shades. Both are good both in the multiplied version and in splendid isolation.

Round shades look like an elegant accent, especially in the decor of forged elements. The balls are beautiful on a support of any height, but floating and on low legs hidden behind the plant mass are more fun. Stainless steel cylinders are often lined up along the path in strict rows, but keep in mind that they are more demanding on the style environment than the less finicky mushroom lanterns.

On a note

When deciding on the choice of lighting fixtures for the garden and their number, remember that a lack of light can be dangerous when moving around at night, and too much light will not emphasize the dignity of the garden landscape and architecture.

garden fireflies

Solar-powered flashlights have become a breakthrough in lighting suburban areas. Completely self-contained, they do not require cabling and energy bills, they are completely safe and have an attractive design. Choose a suitable spot and stick the lanterns into the ground, during the day the batteries will be charged by the sun, and at dusk they will light up like fireflies in the grass.

Such flashlights will not have enough brightness to fully illuminate the path, but these solar devices are quite capable of marking its contours. This can be used for dot marks at the corners of buildings, at the entrance to the gazebo, along a stream or pool. For the winter, lanterns in the room.

rare gizmos

It doesn’t matter how much they cost and what material they are made of, because their task is to surprise by giving a new sound to the familiar look of garden corners.

It can be a stylish Japanese mahogany lantern or a carnival garland with crinkled paper shades, a forged antique lamp covered with patina, or a rough old stump topped with a lace lampshade knitted by grandmother's hands. Any dishes are also suitable: from a terracotta vessel for storing onions and a perforated colander to colored bottles with a cut bottom.

The main thing is that they fit the spirit of your attitude and the style of the garden plot. You can safely increase the number of completely identical lighting objects or made in the same way, because in the plural they look even more spectacular. But combining lamps of different styles should be done with great care so as not to turn the lineup into a vernissage shop.

Candles in the area

The flame of a candle soothes, promotes relaxation even on the most chilly evenings, giving a feeling of comfort and warmth. This is a favorite night light for dreamy and romantic natures. If candles serve as temporary lighting, for example, to illuminate an open-air party, then candlesticks in the form of glass containers without a lid, protecting only from the wind, are sufficient.

These can be the most common canning jars, salad bowls, glasses, glasses or glass vases. But gatherings that are not dependent on the vicissitudes of the weather or stationary lighting of any corner of the garden means closed candlesticks: from lanterns for one candle, to glazed monumental geometric shelves designed for 20-30 candles. Colored candles do not change the brightness and color of the outgoing light. But the colored glass of the candlesticks will give a similar shade to the illuminated space, while the light will be muffled.

The garden is an integral part of our life, and we, gardeners, want it to look beautiful and cozy not only during the day, but also at night.

How to solve this problem during the day is more or less clear, but what to do in the evening? Various lamps will come to the rescue, which have recently been presented in a great variety of garden centers, for every taste and, which is especially nice, for every budget.

As a rule, one simple lamp standing alone near the entrance to the house. not enough. It is very important that the light in the garden meets your condition, because it is on your site that a person takes a break from the bustle of the city, gets the opportunity to just be alone with himself. Therefore, when arranging various lamps, the task is not so much to illuminate all the hidden corners, but to choose such a lighting option that would allow you to delicately illuminate all the most expressive elements of your garden - a pond, a separate tree, a gazebo, a pergola. In general, everything should be aimed at creating a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.

Lighting principles

Properly selected lighting can create a different mood - fabulous, festive, romantic ... But in any case, when choosing, you need to follow a few basic principles.

Lighting should be functional, it is not necessary to illuminate the entire territory. This is not only completely uneconomical, but by and large it is inexpedient. Of course, first of all, you need to highlight the nodal points of the garden - the entrance gate, the gate, the entrance to the house, paths, bridges, ascents and descents, then first "bring out of the shadows" the most significant and potentially dangerous areas in the shade.

Decorative lighting is best used only in those places where there is something to show. - it can be the most expressive plants, a pond, a beautiful gazebo. And do not forget that intrigued guests will definitely want to get closer to the illuminated object in order to better examine it, so the approaches to it should be well lit.

Track lighting

Illumination of paths is one of the main ones in the garden, since in the evening the passage from one part to another should be as safe as possible. Therefore, the lighting of the road-path network has a number of features. Lamps are chosen in such a way as to evenly illuminate the entire route, and the lamps should not be directed into the eyes of a pedestrian. If the path is not long and without any obstacles, such as steps, drops and rises, then it is enough just to lightly mark the contours of the route with small lamps, they can be located very low and even level with the ground. Another important point - the distance between the light sources should be uniform and large enough so as not to violate the integrity of the picture.

plant lighting

You can highlight spectacular, singly located plants - trees, shrubs, large perennials. Light should be directed at the object from below. There may be several sources. In trees, if one lamp is supposed, it should be placed as close as possible to the trunk. If there are several sources, they are placed from different sides, but always in such a way that they converge from above at approximately one point. Not a very good solution, when the lamps are located directly in the crown, the object will be highlighted only partially, in this case the composition will seem unfinished.

If we talk about shrubs and large perennials, then they can be illuminated both from the outside and from the inside. The second option is preferable. The light source is installed in such a way that the light flux that comes from it captures as much of the plant as possible.

Illumination of the reservoir

The illumination of the reservoir should be located below the water level and outside along its contours. If the source is installed above the water surface, the light flux will simply be reflected from the surface of the water and the desired effect will not be achieved. It is possible to illuminate the reservoir as expressively as possible by combining illumination from the inside with illumination of its contours and approaches to it. At the same time, the former accounts for more power, for example 2:1 or 3:1. This ratio will allow you to focus on the structure itself, while at the same time delicately taking care of safety (so that no one accidentally stumbles and falls into the water in the evening).

Structures

Illumination of houses and other buildings that deserve attention includes both functional lighting, that is, the installation of light sources near the entrance, and decorative lighting of the most aesthetically interesting details, such as gables, foundation cladding, columns. The main thing is not to overdo it, yet the whole house should be in twilight, while the light will snatch the most expressive elements from the darkness.

If we talk about landscape elements, such as, for example, a grotto, then the main feature of the illumination in this case is that the light does not get into the eyes and does not blind, the light source must be located inside the building. In order not to miss, direct the light flux perpendicular to the entrance, you can't go wrong.

Basic requirements for garden lighting

The main thing is that the lighting devices are as safe as possible, the lamps must have a certain tightness so as not to be afraid of dust and water. These indicators are characterized by a two-digit number. The first figure reflects the degree of protection of the lamp from dust and dirt, the second - from moisture. For the street, it is recommended to use lighting devices with a degree of protection of 44 and higher. When installing underwater lights, these numbers should be even higher.

Tatyana Semenova, Candidate of Biological Sciences

With the onset of the warm season, many people prefer to spend their free time in the country, surrounded by nature and clean air. In addition to country affairs during daylight hours, the lighting of a suburban area becomes important after dark. Some think that you can limit yourself to ordinary incandescent bulbs and primitive lamps installed only in the most necessary places. But if there is a desire to create a beautiful, worthy and even more high-quality lighting, you will have to spend money. There are many options for how to illuminate the area in the country.

Requirements

Do-it-yourself country lighting should be as functional as possible, save energy and meet all safety requirements. It is also important to connect it to autonomous sources of electricity. This is due to the fact that the dacha is characterized by frequent power outages and therefore alternative sources are needed.

There are certain requirements according to which it is necessary to organize lighting at their summer cottage. These include the following:

• The electrical wiring used for lighting must be installed in accordance with the installation rules and not pose a danger to others. Be sure to install circuit breakers and RCDs, with which you can protect the line from the occurrence and consequences of a short circuit, as well as de-energize the network in case of overloads in automatic mode. It will be important to carry out the grounding of a country house.
• The laying of the supply cable must be carried out in metal or plastic pipes, as well as in corrugation. This is necessary to avoid mechanical damage to the wiring. Switching devices are used in the form of sockets and switches of a moisture-proof type.

• Do-it-yourself lighting of a summer cottage should be arranged in such a way that there is free access to the revision of all its elements. Used luminaires must be switched so that it is possible to turn them off locally, as well as emergency.
• If the lighting of the site will be carried out around the entire perimeter and in places of the future lawn, it will need to be designed and installed before the start of landscape work. This is due to the fact that the cable is laid in pipes and underground, and this leads to a violation of the garden decor.
• To illuminate the territory on the site, it is better to use lamps that save electricity. The best option is LED lighting or solar-powered light sources. This solution saves about 70% of electrical energy.

Organization of the street lighting plan

Simply choosing lighting fixtures to illuminate the area at night is not enough. Before starting installation work, it will be necessary to draw up a plan for placing lampposts and poles around the entire perimeter of the site, as well as laying out routes for laying cables in the ground.

First of all, it will be necessary to determine the zones of the necessary illumination, the places of connection and connection of the electrical lines of each lighting device. This can be done using waterproof sockets hidden from direct exposure to moisture, or junction boxes buried in the ground or located on lampposts. The marking of the location of the switches is organized at the discretion of the owner of the site, based on the convenience of their use.

For convenient drawing of the scheme, with which the lighting of the territory will be equipped, you can use a photocopy of the plan of your site. In its absence, you will need to draw a plan on a scale of 1:100, which will indicate all the existing buildings. The lighting scheme is created taking into account the future landscape design. You should take into account the places where recreation areas will be located, such as gazebos, terraces, ponds, and also take into account the presence of country paths.

The diagram indicates the location of future fixtures. Usually, each point on the map is denoted by the letter L. In addition to the light sources, the location of the switches is indicated - B; sockets - R; if necessary, you can specify motion sensors, a bell, surveillance cameras, etc. on the map.

When designing, special attention should be paid to lighting the entrance to the house, the most dangerous places on the site, the gate. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the height of the installation of fixtures, since in winter they can be covered with snow. Illumination on fences is not recommended. This is due to the blinding effect of the lamps.

In any case, the decision on how to make lighting for a summer residence depends on the personal preferences of the owner of the site, his imagination and the money that he is ready to invest in it. If you are unable to properly organize the illumination of the territory, it is better to contact specialists who will do this quickly and efficiently.

The main options for lighting a summer residence

It should be borne in mind that the lighting of a summer cottage can carry various functions, and therefore, depending on one or another option, it is necessary to select all the lamps according to the type of their purpose. There are several types of lighting for a suburban area:

• General. The main function of this lighting is the organization of visible zones on the territory of the site for safe movement at night, as well as the implementation of various works and spending free time. Lamps designed for this purpose should be mounted near the entrance to the house, along garden paths and near the entrance to the territory.
• Marking. This type of lighting is usually used to emphasize any elements of decor and landscape of a summer cottage. These can be steps, benches, the boundaries of a parking space for a car, etc. Most often, lanterns on small legs, “glowing stones”, and pendant lamps are used for such lighting. It is better to use lamps in which LEDs are installed. This will save on electricity and choose the right color for the backlight.

• Security. The main task of such lighting of a country house and the surrounding area is to protect the site from intruders. Such lamps are installed so that all main areas are illuminated: the threshold of the house, garage and entrance gates, and a parking space. You can use general-purpose lights, but for the effect of surprise, motion sensors are used, which give the impression of a person in the house. It is possible to adjust the operation of the lighting system or its individual elements in automatic mode. This is possible due to the installation of a time relay, which will turn on specific lighting groups at a given time.
• Decorative. This type of lighting includes lamps, lamps and lanterns, which are installed mainly in places where it is necessary to emphasize landscape design, near water bodies, in areas where people spend their leisure time. Such lighting devices are not aimed at illuminating the territory, but only serve as illumination and decor. Currently, there are many lamps of this type, for every taste and color.

Luminaire types

Illumination of the summer cottage area should carry not only the functions of decor and protection, but also have economic efficiency. Many have already begun to abandon incandescent lamps, as they consume a large amount of electricity and often burn out. Today, there are many options for their replacement. These include the following types of lamps:

• halogen and fluorescent - have a long service life and consume less electricity compared to incandescent lamps;
• lamps with LEDs and LED strips - their main advantage is a bright glow and low electricity consumption, and the service life is the longest among competitors. Some types of lamps have the ability to adjust their brightness;
• fiber optic systems - appeared on sale recently and are already in great demand. They can be used in almost every lighting option.

All luminaires can be classified according to certain criteria, such as where they are installed and powered.

The installation is divided into the following categories:

• Wall lights;
• outdoor light sources;
• pendant lights;
• spotlights that shine with a scattering beam;
• fiber optic systems.

According to the power source, lamps can be divided into the following types:

• electric - the main type of street lighting for a summer cottage;
• solar-powered lamps - easy to install, move, do not consume electrical energy, but are quite expensive;
• candles in decorative jars are part of a romantic design and require constant attention.

Due to the constant impact of weather phenomena on street lighting, it is necessary to choose luminaires that are designed for outdoor use and have a sealed housing that does not allow moisture to enter.

How to make an original backlight with your own hands?

The cost of most garden lamps becomes for many an obstacle in arranging a summer residence with decorative lighting. Do not be upset, because you can make a little effort, turn on your imagination and, with the help of improvised means, perform interesting design solutions for street lamps. Consider the main ways to create decorative lighting with your own hands.

A fairly common option is a lamp from a bottle that has an interesting shape and a garland inserted into it. The void in the bottle is filled with exotic material, you can use beads or some beautiful balls. In the absence of a garland, use a small flashlight that can be inserted into the neck.

Very simple and beautiful is the version of the lamp from the original glass jar. Any interesting material is suitable for filling its contents, whether it be sand, stones of different colors or even pebbles. A candle is installed inside the jar, and for greater decor, it can be tied outside with a rope or lace material.

There is another option for using cans. To obtain a beautiful effect, it is necessary to paint it from the inside with luminescent-based paints. You can make a variety of patterns. In the dark, an original glow is obtained.

Quite interesting are the lanterns made of tin cans. To create them, you will need the banks themselves, garlands or candles. To create original lighting, you will need to make holes or patterns on such a lamp with a nail so that light seeps through them.