The warmer season is approaching, the days are getting longer and the desire to spend more time outdoors is growing: but if we can't always go out, we can certainly make the most of our home's outdoor spaces, both during the day and in the evening.
To enjoy gardens, terraces, patios or balconies when it’s dark outside, it’s important to light them properly: let’s find out how to choose the outdoor lighting that best suits you by answering a few simple questions together.
Where will you install your outdoor lighting?
Depending on where you intend to place the outdoor lamp you need, you should make sure it complies with CEI 70-1 (EN 60529) and has the appropriate IP protection rating.
The IP value stands for International Protecting and consists of two numbers: the first indicates the level of protection against solids (e.g. dust), the second against liquids (e.g. water).
Depending on where you want to position your outdoor light source, you’ll need to choose a lamp with a different IP rating. Let’s see which one:
- The IP44 protection rating is the minimum for a lamp to be used outdoors, as it may potentially be exposed to humidity and water splashes. IP44 is the rating normally used for temporary string lights for parties and celebrations, or for lighting installations covered by pergolas and canopies. Our LUMET string lights fall into this category and are perfect for a temporary installation in the garden to light up your evenings outdoors with friends, or to create the right atmosphere on your balcony all year round.
- The IP65 protection rating, on the other hand, is ideal for lamps exposed to water and rain, as it guarantees high waterproofing. Within our range, EIVA lamps are perfect for this purpose, in all their shapes and combinations.
What function should the outdoor lamp you want to buy serve?
- Outdoor lighting needs to be functional, highlighting specific areas when necessary, or creating a relaxing atmosphere if that’s what you need.
Each function corresponds to different types of lamp:
- Outdoor wall lights are the ideal solution for illuminating your entrance, making it safer, or the terrace where you’d like to spend more time. They create a diffused light and are perfect for lighting up your al fresco dinners. The EIVA wall lamp range includes options with or without a lampshade, spanning a wide array of styles and colours, perfect for adapting to your space.
- In a patio or under a porch, pendant lamps provide even, diffused lighting, perfect for your outdoor relaxation moments in any season of the year. Discover the EIVA water-resistant pendant lamps to stylishly illuminate your outdoor spaces.
- String lights, on the other hand, are the ideal solution for creating a special atmosphere on balconies of any size or under a pergola, warming up your evenings and special occasions with diffused lighting over several areas. Take a look at the Lumet lighting system to create your own custom string light tailored to your space and style needs. Thanks to its IP44 protection rating, it’s perfect for lighting installations not exposed to the elements.
Whatever lighting you choose for your outdoor spaces, it’s important to avoid over-lighting: always make sure the light you choose doesn’t dazzle you or your neighbours and complies with your local council’s light pollution regulations.
What kind of electrical setup already exists in your outdoor space?
The final aspect to consider when lighting up your outdoor spaces is the electrical set-up of the area you wish to illuminate.
Wall and ceiling lamps and pendant lamps come with a ceiling rose and must be connected directly to the mains by a qualified professional: make sure the area you want to light is prepared accordingly.
Plug-in lamps, on the other hand, come complete with a plug. These are designed to be plugged into the nearest socket, giving you the flexibility you need during installation. You can find plug-in lighting either as a string light, with multiple light points along the fabric-covered cable, or as a single pendant, with just one light source that you can complete with LED light bulbs and optional lampshades.
In both cases, you can create your own bespoke solution using the outdoor lamp components from our EIVA range: choose the length of fabric cable that best suits your needs and finish it off with an IP65 lamp holder, ceiling rose or IP44 plug.
If, however, you want to install a string light in your garden, the ideal solution is Lumet, which you can customise to suit your needs and the style of your outdoor space.
