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When it comes to illuminating your outdoors, there are many solutions to choose from. Among them, illuminated outdoor bollards. They can be used to mark a pathway, illuminate a terrace or highlight vegetation.
But beware: each model has its own strengths, and not all bollards are suited to your needs. In fact, you won't choose the same lighting solution to mark out a path or to light up a poolside.
So how do you choose the right outdoor bollards for a successful lighting scheme? Follow the guide, we'll give you all our secrets in this article.
Choosing bollards to mark out a garden path
Illuminated bollards are ideal for indicating a path and guiding people. They make it safer to get around at dusk, guide you into the garage and help you climb stairs.
But beyond this practicality, bollards also have a decorative role to play. They illuminate your garden and highlight certain elements of your exterior, such as a tree or a clump of vegetation. Last but not least, these fixtures can also create a sense of depth if judiciously placed.
For this purpose, you can choose to install bollards measuring no more than 40 cm. They create discreet lighting close to the ground, perfect for marking out a path. "Lumihome bollards from the Pyramide range are ideal. Their 30 cm height gives them absolute discretion, while their specific reflector produces brilliant light and incomparable power." Christophe Coelho
If your aim is to provide more extensive, diffused lighting, then you'll need to opt for LED lamps from 40 to 80 cm.
Finally, you can also opt for outdoor bollards with motion detectors, which light up as soon as a presence is detected. You'll no longer need to worry about the switch, as they'll be triggered as soon as someone is on the premises.
Which bollards to use to light a pool deck?
A real place to relax and play during the day, the pool also requires quality lighting. In fact, a well-lit pool in the evening will enable you to continue enjoying your baths even in the hottest weather.
Pool lighting also has undeniable decorative benefits for your exterior. By installing bollards, you can create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation, with the water magnified by the illuminations.
Last but not least, illuminating a pool deck is also a safety measure. It makes the area and its surroundings safer, more visible after dark, and helps prevent accidents.
But beware: pool lighting involves certain constraints, such as voltage, safety standards and current regulations. For example, it's forbidden to use 230V bollards. You'll need to look for 12V bollards or solar-powered lighting solutions. The Lumihome range of 12V poolside bollards connects directly to a transformer of the same voltage, for maximum safety.
Your pool lighting will illuminate your pool and immerse your exterior in the atmosphere you desire. That's why you need to consider the temperature of the light. This is an important criterion to consider before making your choice. Beware of low-priced models with poor-quality lighting that won't add any value to your pool. For a pool surround, we recommend warm white or neutral white lighting, which will bring a warm atmosphere to your pool and its surroundings.
Bollards for terrace lighting
The terrace is a convivial place to enjoy the sunny days. As both a dining area and a place to relax, the terrace needs quality lighting to continue to enjoy it after dark. A well-lit terrace means you can continue chatting with friends, playing games with the family, or simply enjoying the outdoors and the cool summer evenings. Terrace lighting also helps to distinguish important areas, such as the perimeter of the surface and circulation paths. Finally, it highlights decorative elements.
But there are a few rules to follow when choosing bollards for your terrace. First of all, you need to choose a light intensity that won't dazzle your guests, but that will provide sufficient illumination. Soft, subdued light is preferable.
You'll also need to consider the positioning and height of the bollard lights. Choose bollards close to the tables to provide sufficient light at strategic points, without blinding your guests with light. If the terrace is rather spacious, you can choose larger bollards. This will add depth and, at the same time, illuminate the surrounding flower beds.
Lumihome 230V bollard lights are ideal for illuminating terraces. Available in different heights, they can illuminate any surface, from the smallest to the largest.
Motion detector terminals
Motion-sensor bollards offer a number of advantages. First and foremost, they are ideal for ensuring the security of your home and deterring malicious intrusion. They also have a practical side, as they light up as soon as a presence is detected. You won't have to worry about turning on the switch before you leave, since they'll gradually light up as you or your car passes by. Last but not least, motion-sensor bollards also save you money, as they only come on when you need them.
While many motion-sensor lamps leave much to be desired in terms of quality and efficiency, the models in the Lumihome range have a lot going for them. Equipped with a Li-Ion battery and a sun sensor with UV amplifier, they can recharge batteries even if the bollard is installed in an area with little sunlight.
Watertightness and strength of external terminals
To choose an outdoor bollard that is sufficiently resistant to harsh conditions, you'll need to rely on its protection rating. Indicated on the packaging, this index is made up of the letters IP followed by two numbers: one indicates the bollard's level of protection against solids, the other against liquids. The higher the rating, the more waterproof your bollard. This is a very important criterion, all the more so if you know that your bollard will not be placed under shelter, and will be exposed to rain on a daily basis. We recommend an index of protection equal to or greater than 44.
Rain isn't the only inconvenience your bollard will suffer. That's why Lumihome bollards feature various surface treatments. Unlike low-cost bollards, Lumihome solutions are protected against rust, corrosion, salt air and humidity.
"The reflectors used in the design of our bollards are of the highest quality and benefit from an anti-UV treatment that protects them from the harmful effects of the sun. They don't tarnish over time, and retain their full transparency despite the years." Christophe Coelho
Setting the scene in your garden
For a garden that's as beautiful by day as it is by night, illuminated bollards are THE solution. Their decorative aspect helps to structure a garden and create a real sense of depth.
For outdoor lighting, there's no need to choose very powerful bollards. It's better to multiply the number of light points so as to intersect light flows and create interesting perspectives. In fact, these luminaires are intended to guide you along your path and facilitate access by highlighting a driveway, for example. So there's no need for high-intensity lighting.
Similarly, if you want uniform light, there's no point in increasing the wattage of your bollards. This would in no way enable you to light further afield. Therefore, you need to multiply the number of bollards so that the light beams overlap. For more diffused lighting, you can also increase the height of your bollards, or opt directly for floor lamps. "The Lumihome range offers Pyramide floor lamps: a specific range of luminaires that includes two models (black or stainless steel), with heights of up to two meters. Perfect for giving your lighting an extra dimension! says Christophe Coelho.
Finally, consider placing bollards near points of interest. Close to a flower bed, near a body of water (choose a solar or 12V bollard for safety reasons), or around a tree... The ideas are numerous, but they can all give your exterior a unique look that's as pleasing as it is functional.
