Good garden lighting turns your garden into a place to sit even after sunset. But anyone who starts looking quickly loses track: 12 volt or 230 volt, solar, IP44 or IP67, 2200 or 3000 Kelvin, watts or lumens. In this buyer's guide you'll learn what all those numbers mean, which type of lamp to use where, and how to work out which transformer you need. With examples from the Garden Lights range.
In short: first choose the system: 12V you install yourself, 230V you have installed by a professional, solar is for standalone light points. Then choose the type of lamp for each spot, with at least IP44 above ground and IP67 in the ground. Stick to one light colour, look at lumens rather than watts, and load your transformer to no more than 75%.
12V, 230V or solar?
The first choice isn't which lamp, but which system. That determines who installs it, how much light you get, and how easily you can change things later.
| System | Strength | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 12V low voltage | DIY installation, expanding, moving | Outdoor socket needed |
| 230V mains voltage | Permanent, powerful lighting | Have an electrician install it |
| Solar | No cables, simply place them | Less light in low sunshine |
12V is the most convenient choice for most gardens. A transformer converts the 230 volts from the socket to 12 volts, and you then clip the lamps onto a cable. All the lamps in this guide work this way. To see how to install such a system step by step, with cables and connectors, read installing garden lighting with the Garden Lights 12V system.
230V is the choice if you're having a professional come in during a garden renovation anyway, or if you need a lot of light in a spot far from the house, such as a shed or a long driveway. The cable then has to go deeper and be protected underground, and moving things is a job in itself.
For 230V you'll find wall lights and standing lights from brands such as Lutec, Nordlux, Eglo and Lucide, plus string lights and ambient lighting from Konstsmide. For light that switches on when someone walks past, look at the sensor lights from Steinel. Want to control your lighting with an app or your voice? Take a look at smart garden lighting, including Philips Hue. What that involves is explained in smart garden lighting: Philips Hue and the alternatives.
Solar is handy for a few light points in a place without power. A solar lamp charges during the day via a small solar panel. In the dark months or in shade it gets less sun, and then it gives less or shorter light.
Solar in winter: from November to February there are fewer hours of sunshine and the sun is low. The panel then charges the battery less, so the light burns for a shorter time or less brightly. A light with a bigger battery copes better with a few grey days, but won't make up for the whole winter. So place solar lights where they also get sun in winter, with the panel facing south. A solar light with a motion sensor is easier on the battery, because it only shines brightly when someone walks past.
Lutec Brick: solar with sensor
View light →
Nordlux Rica: solar with sensor
View light →
Lutec Connect Tuda: solar and app
View light →
Quiz: which system suits you?
Still undecided? Answer four questions and see which system best suits your garden.
12V, 230V or solar: which system suits your garden?
Is there power near the spot where you want light?
- Yes, there is an outdoor socket within reach
- No, but an electrician is coming for the garden anyway
- No, and I don't want to run cables either
What should the lighting mainly do?
- Atmosphere and accents: a tree, the path, the terrace
- Lots of light on a driveway, shed or large facade
- A few light points along a path or in a planter
How do you want to install the lamps?
- Myself, in an afternoon
- Have it done, during a garden renovation
- Just set them down or push them into the ground
How do you feel about expanding later?
- I start small and add lamps if I like it
- I want it done properly in one go and then settled
- I place the lamps wherever I want them that month
A 12V system suits you. You install it yourself, without digging or an electrician, and you can always add or move lamps.
230V lighting suits you. Have an electrician help plan the cable route and the circuit in the fuse box, and plan the light points before the paving goes in.
Solar suits you. Ideal for a few atmospheric points without cables. Place the lamps in a sunny spot and expect less light in winter.
Which type of lamp do you use where?
Don't buy per lamp, but per spot. First decide what you want to see in the evening: a tree, the path, the facade or the terrace. Each of those calls for its own type of lamp.
| Type of lamp | Use for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Spike spotlight | Trees, shrubs, borders | Beam angle and direction |
| Uplight | Tree or wall, invisible by day | Minimum IP67, drill hole |
| Deck light | Decking, terrace edge, step | IP67, pre-drill size |
| Wall light | Facade, fence, outdoor door | Light direction and lumens |
| Plinth or standing lamp | Path, driveway, entrance | Height and light direction |
| Ambient lighting | Above a terrace or pergola | Counts towards the transformer |
A few things to watch out for per type:
- Spotlights and uplights: a narrow beam puts one tree or statue in the spotlight, a wide beam looks more like a glow. The Corvus has a 30-degree beam. For the difference between spike spotlight and uplight, and the materials, read buying a ground spot: what should you look for?
- Wall lights: look at the light direction. The Palm shines downwards only, the Columba gives all-round light. Downward is calm next to an outdoor door; all-round or up-and-down makes the wall itself part of the lighting effect.
- Standing lamps and plinths: a low plinth mainly lights the ground, a taller lamp such as the Dax (78 cm) or Reno (62 cm) also lights up the area around it. Place them on one side of the path, or alternate them.
- Ambient lighting: a string light uses more than you'd think. The Partylights Filament and Linea all seasons together already add up to 12.5 W on your transformer.
Spots
View spots →
Uplights
View uplights →
Deck lights
View deck lights →
Wall lights
View wall lights →
Standing lamps
View lamps →
Ambient lighting
View strings →Walk through your garden with a torch on a dark evening and shine it on whatever you think looks good. Wherever you let the torch rest, a lamp belongs. That way you won't buy lamps for spots you'd never actually see.
IP rating: how waterproof does it need to be?
The IP rating consists of two digits. The first digit indicates how well the lamp is protected against dust and dirt (up to 6), the second how well it is protected against water (up to 8). The higher, the better protected.
| IP rating | Protected against | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| IP44 | Splashing water from all directions | Spike spotlights, wall lights, string lights |
| IP54 and IP64 | Dust and splashing water too | Wall light or transformer in the rain |
| IP65 | Dust-tight, water jets | Freestanding lamps, such as the Reno |
| IP67 | Temporarily submerged | Uplights and deck lights in the ground |
| IP68 | Submerged for longer periods | Pond edge, such as the Protego and Arigo |
The rule of thumb: IP44 above ground, IP67 in the ground. A lamp set into the ground or a deck light can sometimes stand in water after a heavy downpour, and IP44 is not made for that. The transformer also has an IP rating: the Transformer 60W is IP67, the Transformer 150W is IP64.
Light colour: how many Kelvin do you choose?
Light colour is expressed in Kelvin (K). The lower the number, the warmer and yellower the light. The higher, the whiter and bluer.
| Kelvin | Light colour | For example |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 to 2200 K | Extra warm, like an incandescent bulb | Columba, Partylights Filament |
| 2500 K | Very warm white | Linea all seasons |
| 3000 K | Warm white, the standard | Corvus, Rubum, Reno |
| 6000 K | Cool white | Alpha White, Brevus |
For a cosy garden, warm white around 3000 K is the safe choice: green leaves and wood look natural. Extra warm filament light suits a seating area or a rustic facade. Cool white looks sleek and modern, but next to warm white it stands out immediately. So choose one light colour per line of sight. You can read more about playing with light colour and layers in creating atmosphere with garden lighting.
Lumens or watts: how much light do you need?
With LED lamps, the wattage tells you how much power the lamp uses, not how much light it gives. That is expressed in lumens. Two lamps with roughly the same wattage can give very different amounts of light: the Rubum uplight gives 280 lumens at 3.5 W, the filament wall light Columba 98 lumens at 4 W. With a filament lamp it's about the glow, not the light output.
This is how widely the range varies:
- Orientation: the Palm wall light gives 10 lumens, the Leda deck light 20 lumens. Enough to see a step or the edge of the terrace.
- Path and border: the Dax standing lamp gives 120 lumens.
- Accent and functional light: the Corvus spotlight gives 385 lumens, the Reno standing lamp 487 lumens.
Better too soft than too bright
A garden with lots of soft light points looks deeper than a garden with one harsh lamp. Start with fewer lumens and add a lamp if it still feels too dark. A lamp that dazzles isn't easily made softer.
Calculating the transformer
With a 12V system, the transformer determines how many lamps you can connect. The sum is simple:
Look up the wattage of each lamp and add everything together, including string lights and lamps you still want to add later.
Load a transformer with no more than 75% of its capacity. Divide your total by 0.75: that is the minimum wattage of the transformer.
Choose the first transformer above that figure. If you're unsure, go for the larger one so you have room to expand.
According to the product information, the Transformer 60W is intended for a maximum of 45 W of lamps, the Transformer 150W for a maximum of 112.5 W. That's exactly the 75%.
Calculation example: slightly too much for the 60W
4 × Corvus spotlight (5 W) = 20 W, 2 × Columba wall light (4 W) = 8 W, 6 × Dax standing lamp (1.8 W) = 10.8 W and 1 × Partylights Filament (8 W). Together 46.8 W. That's more than the 45 W of the 60W transformer, so you choose the 150W, or you spread the lamps across two 60W transformers.
You'll find more calculation examples for a small, medium and large garden, and the choice between fixed cable and flex cable, in installing garden lighting with the 12V system.
Six lamps from the range
To make the choices concrete, below you'll find one lamp from the Garden Lights range for each spot. They all run on 12 volts and come with a 5-year warranty. You can see the current prices on the cards.
| Lamp | Spot | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Corvus | Tree or hedge | 385 lumens, IP44 |
| Rubum | In the ground | 280 lumens, IP67 |
| Leda | Deck or path | 20 lumens, IP67 |
| Columba | Facade or fence | Filament, 2000 K |
| Reno | Path or driveway | 487 lumens, IP65 |
| Partylights Filament | Above the terrace | 10 lamps, 2200 K |
Corvus: spotlight for trees and hedges
The Corvus is a black aluminium 5 W spotlight with 385 lumens of warm white light (3000 K). The 30-degree beam directs light onto a tree, hedge or statue. With IP44 it can stay outside above ground all year round.
Rubum: uplight that disappears by day
The Rubum is a 3.5 W uplight that you place in the ground, with a 120 mm drill hole. It gives 280 lumens of warm white light (3000 K) upwards and has IP67, so it can cope with a puddle after a heavy downpour.
Leda: deck light for decking and path
The Leda is a 1 W stainless steel deck light that you fit into a 60 mm hole. With 20 lumens pointing upwards, it's meant as a light point, not to brightly light up a path. IP67 makes it suitable for a terrace or garden path.
Columba: wall light with filament glow
The Columba is a black aluminium wall light with a 2000 K filament LED. It gives 98 lumens all around at 4 W: not working light, but a warm glow next to a door or on the fence. IP44.
Reno: standing lamp for path and driveway
The Reno is a black aluminium standing lamp, 62 cm high. At 6 W and 487 lumens it's the brightest lamp in this lineup, and the light falls downwards onto the path. IP65 makes it suitable for a spot in the pouring rain.
Partylights Filament: string light above the terrace
A string light with ten filament lamps in extra warm white (2200 K). The string runs on the 12V system and uses 8 W, so include it in your transformer calculation. IP44.
Also worth a look:
Palm: wall light, light downwards
View lamp →
Dax: standing lamp 78 cm
View lamp →
Linea: 100 LEDs, 2500 K
View string →How to choose quickly
- Choose the system first: 12V for DIY installation, 230V via an electrician, solar for standalone points
- Decide per spot what you want to see and choose the type of lamp to match
- IP44 above ground, IP67 in the ground, IP68 for water
- One light colour per line of sight, warm white around 3000 K is the safe choice
- Compare lumens, not watts, and add up the watts for the transformer
Start small with a set
Want to try garden lighting first to see if you like it? A Garden Lights set includes lamps, cable and transformer in one box. You can always expand later.
Automatically on at dusk
A transformer has no timer clock of its own. With the Timer + Dusk to Dawn Sensor, the lighting comes on automatically when it gets dark.
Common mistakes
Choosing by watts
With LED, watts say something about power consumption, not about the amount of light. Compare lamps by lumens, and by beam angle when it comes to spotlights.
Mixing light colours
A cool white spotlight next to a warm white wall light looks messy. Keep one light colour for everything you see at a glance.
IP44 in the ground
A lamp that is buried or placed in a deck sometimes ends up in water. Choose at least IP67 there.
Loading the transformer to the max
A transformer running at its maximum has no room left to expand. Calculate with 75% and include string lights: they often use more than a spotlight.
Solar in a shady spot
A solar lamp under a tree or on the north side gets too little sun to stay on for long in the evening. Place solar in a sunny spot, or choose 12V.
Also looking for garden furniture for your lit-up terrace? The selection guide will help you on your way in a few steps.
Checklist before you order
- Choose the system: 12V, 230V or solar
- Sketch the spots you want to light
- Choose the type of lamp and the right IP rating for each spot
- Stick to one light colour, for example 3000 K
- Compare lumens and light direction for each lamp
- Add up all the watts and choose a transformer with 75% as the maximum
- Check whether there is an outdoor socket in a handy spot
Looking for inspiration on where to place your lamps? In 10 garden lighting ideas you can see how to combine spotlights, wall lights and string lights.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an electrician for garden lighting?
Not for a 12V system. The transformer plugs into an outdoor socket and steps the mains voltage down to 12 volts; you lay the cable and fit the lights yourself. If you want fixed 230V lighting in the garden, call in an installer: that cable must be buried deeper and protected, and it must be properly connected to the consumer unit.
What IP rating do I need for garden lighting?
For lights above ground, such as spike lights, wall lights and standing lamps, IP44 (splash-proof) is the minimum. Lights that go in the ground or in a decking, such as uplights and deck lights, should have at least IP67. For a spot where the light may be submerged for long periods, such as a pond, choose IP68.
How many Kelvin is warm white light?
Warm white is around 2700 to 3000 Kelvin. Most Garden Lights lamps give 3000 K. Filament bulbs such as the Columba (2000 K) and the Partylights Filament (2200 K) are warmer still and give a glow like an old-fashioned incandescent bulb. Cool white, such as 6000 K, looks crisper and colder.
How many lumens does a garden light need?
That depends on what the light needs to do. For a small orientation light, not much is needed: the Palm wall light gives 10 lumens and the Leda deck light 20 lumens. If you want to properly highlight a tree or a path, look at lights with a few hundred lumens, such as the Corvus spotlight (385 lumens) or the Reno standing lamp (487 lumens).
Is solar garden lighting a good alternative?
Solar lights are handy in places without a power supply, and you don't have to install any cabling. They charge during the day via a small solar panel, so in the darker months and in a shady spot they give less or shorter light. For decorative accents solar works well; for fixed lighting you want every evening, a 12V system is more reliable.
How do I work out which transformer I need?
Add up the wattage of all the lights and load the transformer to no more than 75% of its capacity. So divide your total by 0.75 to find the minimum transformer wattage. According to the product information, the Garden Lights Transformer 60W is intended for up to 45 W of lights, and the 150W for up to 112.5 W.
