Whether your water feature is a tranquil reflection pond or a sculptural work of art, you may never truly appreciate all it has to offer until it glows by night. So, here’s two recommendations that could help you achieve the light play you long for.

Submerged lighting – If your water feature boasts clear water (ie not a murky pond) then it is a good idea to consider underwater lights. When placed in the right location – such as beneath a waterfall – the underwater glow can create a magical ambience.

However, be warned, solid copper or Stainless steel fittings from a trusted manufacture are the only way to go.

Landscape lighting – Complement your submerged lights with landscape lighting placed nearby. When directed to skim across the water’s surface, or highlight artistic elements of your water feature, the light can showcase depth and detail that previously lay unseen.

Just remember, less is more! Think softly glowing and not glaring hotspot.

More questions? Feel free to get in touch if you would like a little help.

The post Lighting your water feature appeared first on Map Electrical.

Flick the channel to a home improvement show and chances are you’ll be greeted with a pendant (or three) hanging above an enviable kitchen island.

While it looks great, we know that many of our clients fret when it comes to recreating the style themselves. So, here’s our handy guide to help you confidently consider a pendant for your home.

Halls and stairwells

Hallways are perfect for a feature pendant, which can make a great first impression. For long corridors, you may want to install a row or trio of pendant lights or a feature pendant coupled with wall lights or downlights.

Likewise, stairwells offer opportunity for feature pendants that create a little drama in an otherwise empty space.

Dining room

Install your pendant directly above the table. Why? Other than making it easier to see your meal, it also creates a warm ambience which stimulates the atmosphere for bonding and eating.  Plus, by adding decoration above the table you eliminate the need for decoration on the table, which gives you more space for your evening spread.

Living room

A living room pendant light doesn’t have to be located at the centre of a room. Consider clustering groups of three to five pendants together and hanging them at varying heights. This technique looks fabulous in the corner of a living area in hard to use spaces or dead areas.

Kitchen

A lot of thought should go into lighting the busiest room in the home. Pendants work well in a kitchen when placed above an island bench where they can serve as decorative accents that also define an open-plan space.

Remember though, a functional kitchen needs layers of light, so combine your ambient light with downlights and spotlights, to create a feel-good kitchen that is easy to use.

Bathroom

Pendants can work well in the bathroom above the sink or bath but remember, due to their decorative nature, they should be used as part of a combined lighting plan, which includes downlights, wall lights and natural lighting.

Due to the damp nature of bathrooms, consider the materials you choose for the pendant. Natural materials such as wood or rattan should be sealed with a clear coat to prolong life. Also, in wet areas, the fitting may require a specific IP rating to meet Australian standards.

Bedroom

In the bedroom the pendant belongs at the bedside where it serves as a style statement that also frees up space on your bedside table. The key is to give the light context via the furniture around it, otherwise it will look out of place. So, match the materials or colour of the pendant with the bed, bedlinen or bedside table or chair.

Garden

Gardens can also be enhanced by installing pendants specifically created for the great outdoors. Stylish pendants can add positive embellishments and work to illuminate points of interest. Hang them from established trees to create shadows and a moonlight effect, or patio and deck ceilings to create a relaxing ambience and the perfect setting for entertaining.

The post How to add pendant lighting to your home appeared first on Map Electrical.

Thinking about adding new life to your garden this year? To help you, here’s our take on what’s next, what’s staying and what’s out in 2018 lighting trends.

IN: Soft-toned light fittings

2018 is loving soft-toned light fittings. In the outdoors, soft tones work well in bronze and copper (not brass) and it’s even better if you install the sort of quality fittings that patina over time.

Powder-coated, matt finishes are also on trend, rather than the traditionally-used gloss or semi-gloss finishes, because these blend into the natural colours of the gardens.

What you need to get the look – Bronze or copper spike lights.

IN: Portable table lamps

Once just the staple of restaurants, the portable table lamp has found its use within residential properties too. It’s an easy solution in areas of the garden where fixed lighting is hard to install or could be costly. It also adds ambience, is a great alternative to candlelight and doubles as decoration too.

What you need to get the look – rechargeable lamps.

STAYING: LED, of course.

LED lighting is a practical trend predictably continuing in 2018. While the upfront costs do tend to be higher, the overall energy costs are considerably lower when calculated over lifespan. They also require minimal maintenance, which can be a big cost saver over the short and long term.

What you need to get the look – high-quality outdoor LED light fittings

STAYING: Minimalism

The minimalism trend continues in 2018 and is getting easier to achieve in the garden as the design of light fittings simplifies and decreases in size. Technology is also giving us greater control over the amount of light and colour they emit.

If you want to nail the minimalist trend, install hidden light sources.

What you need to get the look – recessed fittings installed within garden paths

OUT: Outdoor Edison bulbs

A little overdone, the Edison bulb is on its way out. Once exposed filament indicated style and probably meant you were visiting a cocktail bar. Now mass-produced, self-installed Edison Bulbs on a string have taken exposure to a new level.

The design is also renowned for producing minimal useful light in a very low colour temperature (I.e. they cast an orange glow) and for its energy guzzling tendencies, so do yourself a favour and move on in 2018.

What you need to get the look – replace Edison bulbs with hanging tree lights.

The post What’s in and what’s out in landscape lighting trends in 2018 appeared first on Map Electrical.