Short answer: Good outdoor lighting starts with purpose (safety, security, entertaining or garden feature), then the right type (240V or low-voltage), weather rating (look for a suitable IP rating), and control (switches, sensors, timers or smart controls). Any 240V outdoor lighting, and any new outdoor power or transformer circuit, needs a licensed electrician. Plug-in low-voltage garden kits can be DIY.
Inner West outdoor spaces are often small: a terrace courtyard, a side passage, a back deck, a strip of garden. Good lighting can make them feel bigger and more usable at night, and safer to walk through. Here’s how to plan it.
Start with what you want the light to do
| Purpose | Typical fittings | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Safe movement | Step lights, path lights, wall lights | Steps, side passages, back gate |
| Security | Sensor floodlights, wall lights | Entrances, laneway access, carports |
| Entertaining | Wall lights, festoon lighting, dimmable downlights | Decks, pergolas, courtyards |
| Garden feature | Spike spotlights, uplights, wash lights | Trees, feature walls, plants |
| Front of house | Porch lights, house number lighting | Front door and path |
Most good designs combine a few layers, with soft general light, some task light where you need it, and one or two features.
240V or low-voltage?
240V fittings
Wall lights, floodlights and some garden lights run on mains power. They’re bright and robust, but all wiring, connections and switches must be installed by a licensed electrician, with cables protected appropriately underground or on walls.
Low-voltage (usually 12V)
Many garden lighting systems run from a transformer that converts 240V to a safe low voltage. They’re flexible and safer to move around garden beds. A plug-in transformer can go into an existing weatherproof outdoor power point. But installing a new outdoor power point or hardwiring a transformer is electrical work for a licensed electrician.
Solar lights
Fine for marking a path, but generally dimmer and less reliable, especially in shady Inner West courtyards with high side walls.
Weather ratings matter
Outdoor fittings need an IP (ingress protection) rating suited to where they’ll be. The first number is protection against dust and solids. The second is protection against water. Fittings under a covered porch need less than in-ground uplights in a garden bed that gets watered. Ask your electrician or supplier which rating suits each spot.
Poorly sealed outdoor fittings are one of the most common reasons we see for a safety switch that won’t reset after rain.
Controls that make it easy
- Motion sensors for security lights and side passages
- Dusk-to-dawn sensors for porch and path lights
- Timers for garden features
- Dimmers for entertaining areas (check the fittings are dimmable)
- Smart switches controlled from your phone, see our home automation page
Courtyard and terrace tips
- Light the walls, not just the floor. In a narrow courtyard, washing a side wall with light makes the space feel wider.
- Avoid glare. Shielded fittings pointing down are kinder to you and your neighbours.
- Use warm white (around 2700K to 3000K) for a relaxed feel; cooler whites can feel harsh outdoors.
- Think about neighbours. Inner West homes are close together, so aim floodlights and sensors away from next door.
- Plan before paving. Running conduit under new paving or decking is far easier than retrofitting.
Running costs
LED fittings use far less power than old halogen or incandescent lights. Pairing them with sensors and timers means they’re only on when needed. For tips on colour temperature and brightness, see our LED downlight buying guide, as the same principles apply outdoors.
Want your courtyard or garden lit properly? We design and install outdoor lighting for Inner West homes, from sensor lights to garden features. Call 0421 772 661.
What needs an electrician
- any 240V light, switch, sensor or cable
- new outdoor power points, including for a garden lighting transformer
- underground cabling
- connecting lights to an existing circuit or the switchboard
Every new outdoor circuit should be protected by a safety switch, and your electrician will lodge a compliance certificate after the work, as the NSW Government requires.
We install outdoor lighting in Marrickville, Ashfield, Dulwich Hill, Stanmore and nearby suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an electrician for garden lights?
For any 240V lighting, new outdoor power points or underground cabling, yes. Plug-in low-voltage kits that use an existing weatherproof outdoor power point can usually be installed yourself.
What IP rating do outdoor lights need?
It depends on location. Covered areas need less protection than exposed walls or in-ground fittings. Ask your electrician or supplier to match the rating to each position.
Are LED outdoor lights worth it?
Yes. LEDs use much less power and last much longer than halogen or incandescent lights, which makes them ideal with sensors and timers.
Why does my outdoor light trip the safety switch when it rains?
Water is probably getting into the fitting, a junction box or an outdoor power point. Leave the circuit off and have an electrician find and fix the leak.