Jason Neophytou Tips To Get Your Garden Glowing Interview

Interview with Jason Neophytou, HPM Lifestyle Expert

Question: What are some of the different ways to use lighting to highlight features like statement trees and garden areas?

Jason Neophytou: Uplighting with spotlights like the LILO Garden Spotlight ($25 Bunnings) is a great way to add instant drama to large trees and feature plants. This uplighting effect also draws the eye, removing the focus from areas of your garden, which may be less desirable. Bunker lighting like the CACTO Bollards ($30 Bunnings) also offers a similar effect by highlighting walkways removing attention from brick walls, and pond lights are great for highlighting water features while projecting dreamlike water reflections.

Garden lighting is a quick and cost-effective way to instantly improve the look of your home, and if you're preparing your home for sale, it's proven that landscaping alone can increase the value of a home by 14%. We all know first impressions count and this also applies to your home.


Question: What are some of the must-have entertaining lights? Task lighting for a barbecue? Dimmable lights for entertainment area?

Jason Neophytou: Deck lighting is a must as it's eye-catching and provides a gentle ambience. The lights are also safe to touch, no matter how long they've been which is handy when entertaining friends with little ones. Our range of contemporary lighting features a collection of up and down lights, which are incredibly useful as they disperse light above, and below eye level, ensuring adequate coverage without blinding your guests. They also come in a range of stylish finishes to complement your spaces and can also be fitted with dimmers to create the ultimate space for outdoor entertaining.


Question: Why is it important to light your garden for safety?

Jason Neophytou: Garden lighting not only looks great but it provides many benefits including safety. For example, stairs can be particularly tricky at night-time and products such as step lights prove to be incredibly handy. Natural stone surfaces are on-trend at the moment, especially on pathways. These surfaces can be slippery when wet, so adequate lighting is a must. Outdoor bollard lights are great for highlighting these walkways and an effective way to reduce slipping. Outdoor floodlights are also handy for covering larger spaces.


Question: What do people need to consider when lighting their homes for security?

Jason Neophytou: Outdoor sensor lights have always been a popular home security choice for decades. These lights activate once they detect movement giving the impression someone's home to detour unwelcomed visitors. Sensor lights have come a long way since their release reducing in size making them harder to spot.

When choosing the location of these sensor floodlights I recommend positioning them in locations which cover large areas such as pathways and driveways, activating as soon as movement is detected on your property. I would also recommend having a sensor close to the front door, not only is this a good way to see who's outside but also adds convenience when you're arriving home in the evening and searching for your keys. A great sensor floodlights is the HPM SIKA Twin LED Spotlight ($103 Mitre10).