Creating a mood

Lighting up your seating area can transform it into an paradise for evening entertaining. This can be anything from adding romantic candles on your table to creating a spidery web of fairy lights. Pergolas, with their horizontal overhead framework, lend themselves to lighting, with any fittings and wiring fixed to the wooden structure. Their illuminated canopies will look magical by night, but use cool LEDS near to climbing plants, to prevent damaging them.

Trees, too, offer good hiding places for lamps, which only reveal their presence after dark. On the patio or terrace, consider fitting an exterior plug socket so that additional, temporary lighting can be introduced, such as sparkling fairy or parasol lanterns, to set the mood for a party.

A canopy of lights can be arranged on a pergola Playing with perception Various light sources build up a layered effect, adding depth