Outdoor Lighting Design: Illuminating Garden, Facade and Pathways
Outdoor lighting is more than a beam at the front door. With the right concept, you create atmosphere, safety and wayfinding. This guide shows how garden, facade and paths are planned — from voltage to protection class to control.
Outdoor lighting concept
Good outdoor lighting combines four functions — not every light fulfills all.
Pathway lighting
Bollard lights, in-ground floor spots, step lighting. Important: glare-free, even.
Facade lighting
Up- and down-lights on the wall, wall spots. Accents architecture and creates depth.
Accent lighting
Trees, shrubs, sculptures lit with ground-spike spots or hidden spotlights.
Security lighting
Motion-controlled floodlights at entrances, garages. Bright but not oversized.
Protection class and voltage
Outdoor areas have special requirements.
| Location | IP class | Voltage | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall lights facade | IP44 | 230V | Standard for covered areas |
| Facade open weather | IP54 | 230V | Driving rain protection |
| Bollard lights | IP44 | 230V or 12V | Low-voltage cheaper to install |
| Flush floor spots | IP67 | 12V or 230V | Submersion protection |
| Pond / pool | IP68 | 12V SELV | Mandatory SELV |
| Tree spot / ground spike | IP65 | 12V | Mobile, low-voltage safer |
Control and switching
Outdoor lighting should be automated — manual switching is tedious in daily life.
Time switch
Simple, cheap. Doesn't wait for dusk but fixed times. Adjust manually at seasonal changes.
Dusk switch
Switches automatically by light level. Optimal combined with time switch (on: dusk, off: 23:00).
Motion sensor
Switches on motion. Ideal for entrance and security lighting. PIR or HF sensor depending on environment.
Smart home
KNX, Loxone, Home Assistant: scenes like 'reception' or 'from vacation' centrally control all outdoor lights.
Cabling in outdoor areas
Outdoor routing has specific rules.
Laying depth
In ground at least 60 cm deep, under paths 80 cm. Warning tape 20 cm above.
Cable type
Underground cable NYY-J for 230V, NYY-J 3×2.5 mm² is standard. For 12V: oil-resistant, UV-resistant low-voltage cables.
Protection
Own circuit for outdoor area with 30 mA RCD. Recommended: 10 A MCB.
Empty conduits
Always lay underground cables in conduit — eases later expansion and repair.
Common outdoor lighting mistakes
Too bright floodlights used
A 200 W halogen above the entrance is light pollution — and blinds every visitor.
No motion sensors at entrance
Constantly lit entrance lights waste energy and aren't ideal for security. Motion sensor is standard today.
Wrong IP class
An IP44 light in the ground won't last. Flush-mounted needs IP67.
Conclusion: concept rather than individual lights
A professional outdoor lighting works together — not each light for itself. With motion sensors, dusk switches and matching voltage, the concept becomes maintenance-friendly and energy-saving in daily life.
💡 Tip: Lay a few conduits too many — garden extensions always come.
Outdoor lighting in the plan
myElectricPlan shows outdoor lights directly in the floor plan including beam direction, IP class and cabling.
Plan outdoor lighting now