Balcony And Terrace Lighting: Expert Tips For Outdoor Highlights



You would like to illuminate the balcony or terrace? A lighting planner will give you tips for atmospheric and practical outdoor lighting
At night, as is well known, all cats are gray - but they do not have to be: Because with the right lighting of the terrace and balcony you stay there even over the bright day out like. Atmospherically illuminated balconies and terraces are like a second living room, offering wonderful views and insights. From illuminated flower tubs to the right spotlights: Together with lighting designer Fatih Yetgin from Licht + Planung in Karlsruhe, we will show you how balconies and patios can become a highlight in the truest sense of the word thanks to targeted outdoor lighting.
principle, balcony and terrace lighting is about creating the possibility of being able to look at the outside of the building. "Otherwise, you always have the black, reflective windows in front of your nose, where only the interior is reflected," says Yetgin. "Who likes to sit in the dark or look into the void? Experience has shown that Germans prefer to use atmospheric light on the balcony and the terrace, less a glaring general lighting. "In addition, the living space is felt to be a few square meters larger through targeted outdoor lighting.
Which safety instructions must be observed for luminaires in outdoor areas?
Outdoor luminaires must be at least IP 44 rated (IP stands for International Protection Code ). "The left number indicates the degree of penetrating fine dust and the size of the dust grain. The right digit protects against the ingress of water. The highest class is IP 68, which must have, for example, underwater suitable luminaires ", says lighting designer Yetgin. In addition, a high degree of protection ensures that the lights shed a nice light on your balcony even after many years. Because even if the balcony or the terrace iscovered, they are exposed to the weather.
The first steps and considerations
"In principle, of course, the balcony or the terrace must first be taken under the microscope when planning the lighting," says Yetgin. Wherever possible, fixedwall lights or ceiling lightsshould beplanned so that one does not stumble over lying cables. In addition, ask the following questions in the first step:
·                     What kind of situation do I have, what are the requirements for balcony & terrace? What should be achieved?
·                     Can I install light bulbs in the ground?
·                     Can I spot objects or plants?
·                     Are there any wall surfaces that you can illuminate and use as reflectors?
·                     Is the balcony or terrace covered so that I can dim the outside surface?
·                     What are the visual relationships and where should the view be directed?
What types of balcony and terrace lighting are there?
1. Linear floor lighting with LEDs
LED strips on the floor distribute light in a line, bathing the balcony or terrace in a uniform, indirect light. "Linear LED lights do not dazzle," says Yetgin.
Lighting If there are steps on the patio or balcony, they can also be provided with orientation lights in the form of LED strip lights for better visibility. In addition, you emphasize the lines of architecture with LED light strips on the floor.
2. Linear LED lighting on the balcony railing
"It is also possible to integrate LED lighting into the handrail of the railing," says lighting designer Yetgin. This looks both mysterious and atmospheric at the same time. With LED bands, for example, in red or blue, you can bring good color into play.
3. Integrate
spotlights into the floor For the illumination of the terrace or balcony, you can also plan recessed floor spotlights that direct the light onto the wall or parapet with the widest possible beam angle. Even low-light bollards or mast luminaires placed on the ground shift the outdoor area into an atmospheric light. "In addition, they serve as an orientation at night in the dark and make trip hazards clearly visible," says Yetgin.
4. Spotlights on the parapet
For solid parapets, for example, asymmetrically radiating ground recessed spotlights are possible. Or bollards. "Even in front of glass balustrades you can of course use emitters. But then you can not distribute them creatively. Here is a nice, consistent positioning important, for example, the use of double clusters, "says Yetgin.
Indirect lighting of the balustrade (and generally of dull wall and ceiling surfaces) creates a uniform, soft and glare-free light.
5. Spots below the eaves or a pergola
If structurally possible, the installation of ceiling lights under the eaves or a pergola is ideal for patio and balcony lighting. Ceiling spots, for example, recede inconspicuously, creating atmospheric and indirect light.
"For covered outdoor areas, it is of course also possible to use something decorative and decorative," says Yetgin - light technically beautiful, suitable for outdoor pendant lights the same function.
6. Illuminated plants
A beautiful light effect on the balcony or the terrace can also be achieved with a floodlit, lush vegetation. "Flower pots or even small flower beds are staged in an atmospheric way, for example, with ground recessed or spit emitters," says Yetgin. To avoid glare, thelight direction should always be the same as the line of sight. If the outdoor area is small, luminaires with spikes that are inserted into the plant pot are also sufficient (and can easily be reused)
7. Illuminated planters
An original idea are illuminated flowerpots, which are available in many sizes - also suitable for small balconies or terraces. Even better, if they are powered by solar energy and illuminate the nightly balcony in an environmentally friendly way. Illuminated flower tubs are available for example through Degardo , Mialight and many other suppliers.
8. Fairy lights above the table or sitting area
If you would like to equip the outdoor areas afterwards with an atmospheric lighting, of course you can also use fairy lights (pay attention to the protection class!) Or lanterns that can be hung across the patio or even over certain areas , So you can illuminate terrace or balcony cheap.
9. Candlelight at the table
"The most atmospheric lighting is probably the candle near the table," says Yetgin. "Of course this is not enough, if you have a large balcony or terrace, but for a romantic set in the evening probably just the right light." Beautiful are also lanterns hanging from the ceiling or candlesticks on the facade. But even a few loose candles in preserving jars on the ground look atmospheric.
What should be considered for small balconies and terraces?
For narrow balconies and small terraces, the same applies as in the interior. Spotlights and wall lights are always better in terms of lighting than a global spotlight. "It should always be tried to create a similar lighting situation as in sunshine. In sunshine we always have the combination of shadows, part shadows and very bright sections. That's how even small balconies and terraces look bigger, "says Yetgin.
Because many balconies have little depth, the distance between the light source and the window is small, so that the light can be reflected in the window glass. Therefore, "Already when aligning the light source, make sure that the light does not fade," said Yetgin.
How to prevent too bright illumination?
In general, of course, can also dim lights for outdoor use. "Furthermore, you can use only half the light on the balcony or terrace, because you want here above all an atmospheric light," says Yetgin. Cosiness can also be created through the play of light and shadow. "There should be areas that are very bright and those that are darker," says the light expert. "And very important: Glare by lighting should generally be avoided."

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