Now that we’re getting a taste of the warmer weather to come, with spring sunshine and brighter skies, our attention turns to the garden once again. Clever use of deck lighting ideas mean you’ll be enjoying your space for as long as you desire.

From a design perspective, you should give just as much dedication to the lighting of decking ideas as you would do the lighting inside of your home. If you have a decking area, treat this space just like another room and use it for entertaining, dining and relaxing.

Depending on your choice of garden ideas, your deck could be positioned against the back of the house, halfway up the lawn or down the end in its own enclosed area. Wherever it’s situated, there’s a perfect way to light it just right.

Deck lighting ideas

If you don’t yet have any decking in your garden and are planning to install one from scratch then now’s the best time to get creative about your deck lighting ideas. Before you embark on the big build, think about where you want to have some illumination and what activities you will be using certain areas for. Perhaps your new decking will incorporate steps that would benefit from some soft spotlights. Or maybe you’re going to have a dedicated barbecuing area where a built-in pillar lamp would be handy.

If you already have a decked area then there’s much you can do to refresh its lighting. For some inspiration, we’ve compiled our pick of the best ways you can bring a glow to your decked space. These range from decorative lanterns and hanging festoon lights to professionally installed spotlights.

1. Hang festoon lights overhead

Image credit: Future PLC/Astrid Rossington

One of the simplest deck lighting ideas to bring to your outdoor space is to hang some festoon lights. Drape them from two anchor points, such as between fence panels in a corner, or from the boughs of a tree. If you have an outdoor power socket then utilise that, but there are plenty of solar-powered or battery-operated versions available.

If your decked area is at the bottom of the garden and in need of further illumination, then you can introduce it by way of portable lanterns, candles and solar-powered decorative lights.

This is a wonderful way to disguise or brighten up deck rail ideas, too. Always a plus!

2. Carry a lantern to where you need it

Image credit: Feuerhand

You’ll be surprised by how much of a glow a handled hanging lantern will cast. Genuine gas versions aren’t common these days, but you can pick up solar-powered ones or candle versions fairly readily. Group them in trios and place in the corners of the decking for a stylish look or pop atop a dining table if you’re dining al fresco.

And don’t forget you can hang these, too. They’ll look great in a mix of colours and positioned from an overhead pergola at varying heights.

3. Light up the underside of a garden brolly

Image credit: Koopower

If you’re standing on your decked area wondering where you’re going to hang lights – there’s no nearby tree, fence or other highpoint – then stop right there. With a bit of clever thinking there’s no need to worry. We’ll have you casting a glow from above in no time.

Every outdoor space can have a parasol, and you can use yours to bring in those extra garden lighting ideas. Wrap exterior fairy lights around its shaft and entwine them through the ribs and stretchers of its canopy. Solar powered or battery-operated, these are inexpensive and a great way to introduce some lighting wherever you need it.

4. Install permanent downlighters on a wall

Image credit: Future PLC/Logan Irvine-MacDougal

If your garden benefits from an exterior brick wall – either the back of the house or as a boundary wall – then use it to mount permanent downlighters. A professional electrician will be able to install them and provide you with a switch inside your home to operate them with. They work well above sofa seating, lighting the area for reading and relaxing as the night draws in.

You can also buy directional spotlights that can be installed in the same way and then moved to cast light wherever you need it. Perhaps you have special outdoor wall decor ideas that you want to enlighten in the evening.

Team fixed wall lights with other options that you can move around the decking. Hurricane lanterns with candles or portable solar powered designs are perfect.

5. Go for strip lighting along the deck edge

Image credit: Composite Prime

Whether you are installing a new decked area or have one already in place, adding striplighting or inserting permanent mains-supplied lights can create a focus point in certain spaces. ‘Deck lighting is the perfect way to finish a decked space and gives the opportunity to showcase garden paths and frame zones created in your outdoor space,’ says Charles Taylor, Director at Composite Prime. Why not install lighting at floor level on your composite decking ideas around a seating area to create an ambient space to sit and entertain guests.

‘The installation of deck lighting is simple, but requires precise planning to position the lights,’ continues Charles. ‘They can be inset into the tops of boards, or set into fascia boards to give an impactful finish. And strip lighting can be placed under an overhanging edge; these lights work best when illuminating steps and edges.’

6. Spark up a firepit for a warming glow

Image credit: Lights4Fun

Fire pits are another of many fantastic deck lighting ideas that make a lovely feature for the garden. Ensure you follow the appropriate instructions for lighting a fire pit on decking. It’ll not only give you extra warmth allowing you to spend more time outside, well into nightfall, but it’ll also cast a lovely flickering glow.

Some options can be used for cooking as well, so if you want to double up then make sure you find the best BBQ for your space.

Perhaps not the brightest light source, so it’s advisable to use additional lighting such as festoon lights, candles in lanterns and even a floor-standing lamp. A tall light will make a fabulous feature to any outdoor zone, creating a living room feel. You may need a mains outlet for most designs, but you can find some that are solar-powered.

7. Push lights into flower pots

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

When on the hunt for deck lighting ideas, you can also trust a solar-powered option. Stake-lights are a quick win in any outdoor space: balcony, garden, courtyard and, of course, patio ideas. Simply push them into plant pots or garden borders and leave them to light the way.

You can find them in all sorts of shapes and sizes but we particularly love this design that emulates streetlights. They’ll work perfectly alongside a path or near to some decking steps.

8. Zone areas with different light sources

Image credit: Industville

If you have several different areas in your garden, especially if it’s a small space, then you can use lighting as a way to create some delineation.

If you can, it’s a good idea to have separate switches installed to operate the lights independently from one another, this gives you the opportunity to shut off certain areas into darkness and better control the ambience at night. Always ensure you use a reputable professional for any electrical work and seek advice for what’s possible in your outdoor space.

9. Navigate steps easily with perfectly placed spots

Image credit: Trex

If your garden incorporates a large expanse of decking, especially if it extends from the rear of your home like shown here, then you’ll find you need several lighting options. Think about which areas on the decking that you’re going to use for seating, dining and planting, then bring in the deck lighting ideas that are relevant. ‘By adding lighting to your decking terrace, you naturally soften the space, make it more inviting and look super stylish,”’says Karl Harrison, Pro Landscaper and Decking Expert from Trex.

‘Step or stair riser lighting is very important so you can see the steps in the evening; it’s vital to show people the way.’ Small spotlights recessed into the step risers will cast an elegant glow, illuminating the deck whilst serving a practical use.

‘Another way to illuminate a decked garden is to add lighting into the planting areas,’ suggests Karl. ‘A garden with lighting will feel cosier during the evenings and add a romantic touch.’

10. Hang solar-powered bulbs from nearby trees

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

You don’t need to spend a fortune to illuminate your garden beautifully. There are plenty of affordable solar-powered or battery-operated lights available – you’ll find variations to choose from in your local garden centre. These hanging solar-powered light bulbs are a fantastic example of an inexpensive deck lighting idea.

Whether in a string of multiple lights or in single bulbs, hang them from the boughs of trees, along fence panels or from the struts of a garden pergola. How pretty would these look, dotted in a cherry blossom tree in bloom in the springtime.

What is the best way to light a deck?

If you don’t yet have a deck and are building one from scratch then the best way to light it is with some smart planning. You can have lights incorporated into the build of the deck, though this isn’t essential. There is plenty you can do to retrofit lights into the decking, or even use portable options or lights that could be used with either patio, decking, lawn or flower beds.

What’s most important is you think about what you’re going to be using the decking for, and where in particular. ‘Lighting is such an important element of your exterior, so plan the position of lighting with forethought,’ says Sanel Konyar, Interior Designer and Founder of Interior Kollection. ‘Aim your light carefully. If you wish to create feature lighting, you don’t want the lights directed at eye level. You want to create a welcoming, soft ambience, not make your guests feel as though they are under a spotlight beam.’

‘Low-level lighting is also great to create ambience and can be used to guide guests along paths and steps. There are a vast array of solar lights that are perfect for this, and can be moved around to suit your needs and layout with ease,’ Sanel continues.

How bright should deck lights be?

The beauty with decking lighting is that you have the freedom to achieve a look that suits the needs of your decking. Mains electrical supplied bulbs will provide a brighter source that is longer lasting than a solar-operated counterpart that will dull as its energy depletes throughout the evening; they’re also less reliable during the shoulder seasons when there’s less daylight than you’d expect during the height of summer.

The more bulbs you have, the brighter the illumination will be so think about where you want the light to be positioned – festoon lights will spread light in smaller pockets of glow whereas a spotlight or downlight will direct its glow with more precision.

For subtle, intimate lighting why not try candles (faux are a great alternative to real flames), lanterns or even a small fire or chiminea. ‘Sources of heat, such as fire pits, heaters and tabletop fires allow you to enjoy your garden comfortably when the temperature outside is less than appealing,’ says Patrick Bridge, Chief Operations Officer at Harbour Lifestyle. ‘Plus, these impressive flame displays provide lighting for those dark evenings.’

Our top tip is that if you choose to have a variety of light sources, just think about which ones you have switched on or in use, and when. You don’t want everything illuminated at the same time – else you risk your decking looking like Blackpool Illuminations!

The post 10 deck lighting ideas to brighten your outdoor space appeared first on Ideal Home.

Homebuyers snapped up endowment mortgages in the 1980s and 1990s, lured by low repayments and investment plans to repay their debt, but these deals failed to live up to salesmen’s promises.

These interest-only mortgages came with an endowment policy attached that was meant to provide enough to repay the loan at the end of the term. But ultimately, endowment mortgages resulted in an enormous mis-selling scandal when millions of people found that they faced a shortfall.

Here’s what you need to know about endowment mortgages, and what the alternatives are to these now. If you’re in the market for a mortgage, make sure you check out our guide to getting the best mortgage rate.

Can you still get endowment mortgages?

No, you cannot get an endowment mortgage following the mis-selling of these products, as years of bad press saw them consigned to history.

Chris Sykes, mortgage consultant at broker Private Finance, says: ‘The product in itself was a good idea and initially was quite realistic, helping all demographics of borrowers to invest and get benefit from the gains on their investments.’

‘It was the mis-selling of these mortgages with promises of extreme returns, a lack of alternate repayment provisions and market fluctuations that lead to their eventual demise.’

Image credit: Future PLC

What were they and why were they popular?

When endowment mortgages originally became popular, interest rates on mortgages were sky-high, at up to 12%, so they were seen as a way to reduce monthly costs. Borrowers only paid the interest on the mortgage, so they didn’t need to repay any of the capital borrowed during the term.

In addition, they benefited from tax relief on endowment premiums. These advantages made it reasonably simple for estate agents and lenders to sell endowment mortgages, in return for hefty commissions.

The idea was that the endowment policy could provide a large enough lump sum to repay the mortgage balance in full after, usually, 25 years. Borrowers could simply pay the monthly interest on their mortgage, and the premium for the endowment policy. They also paid for life insurance to repay the loan if they died during the term, as part of the package.

Homeowners with endowment mortgages typically hoped there may be a surplus from the endowment once their debt had been fully repaid. In reality, this rarely happened, and most people found that instead their endowments didn’t produce enough to repay their mortgages.

Why did they fail?

When interest rates eventually fell, ultimately to record lows, and stock markets slumped in the wake of the financial crisis, the chances of endowment policies underperforming significantly increased.

Miles Robinson, head of mortgages at online mortgage broker Trussle, says: ‘This resulted in millions of homeowners left with massive shortfalls, with endowments that wouldn’t cover the amount of capital they originally borrowed. Many banks and lenders ended up having to pay out the difference.’

Often, people who took endowment mortgages weren’t properly advised of the risks, and given false promises that policies would definitely pay off their mortgage. The charges attached to these types of mortgages were not always clear, either, which contributed to the mis-selling scandal.

Can I still get endowment mortgage compensation?

Possibly, and if you think you were mis-sold an endowment mortgage at some stage, you could be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). But you must have suffered a loss as a result of being poorly advised, and received advice after August 1988.

You must first complain to the company that sold you the endowment mortgage, and you can find details of the process for making a mis-selling complaint on the Financial Conduct Authority website, the city watchdog. The FCA can also help if the company that sold you the endowment mortgage no longer exists.

Image credit: Future Plc/Tim Young

What are the alternatives to an endowment mortgage?

You can still get interest-only mortgages, depending on your personal circumstances, so your repayments cover just the interest on the loan. This makes them substantially cheaper than repayment mortgages. However, remember that the amount borrowed will need to be repaid with a traditional repayment method, such as savings or investments.

Sykes says: ‘To get an interest-only mortgage you now need to give details of a repayment vehicle so this could be cash you have already, investments, or one of the more popular repayment vehicles is sale and downsize of a property after the term. Often, though, this method requires that the property must have at least £300,000 equity and it’s often limited to 50-60% of the property’s value.’

You’ll need to consider carefully if an interest-only mortgage is the right option for you, as you’ll need to make your own arrangement to repay the debt. Speak to your mortgage lender or a mortgage broker to find the best option for your circumstances.

The post Endowment mortgages – are they still available? appeared first on Ideal Home.

Let’s face it, we all have unruly wires and old pieces of tech knocking around. In fact, Currys revealed that we hoard 527 million pieces of unused tech in our homes across the UK.

This isn’t all too surprising given how hard it can be to know how to get rid of them. Particularly if there’s personal data on old USB keys, floppy disks, and so on.

Enter, Currys’ Cash For Trash – a tech recycling scheme that gives you money in exchange for old electronics.

Image credit: Alamy

Currys’ Cash For Trash

Currys is encouraging us to recycle those old speakers, kettles, iPod shuffles, games consoles and alarm clocks we never use. Those retro items we’re needlessly holding onto and allowing to clutter up our homes.

From now until April 15th, 2022, you can bring in unused tech, broken or in working order, to your local Currys store. You’ll be able to swap items for a voucher worth at least £5.

If you have an unwanted TV or small domestic appliances, you can trade them in for hundreds of pounds off new products. Time to trade in for the best washing machines… ‘We are already helping thousands of customers recycle unwanted tech every day. But Cash for Trash aims to take it to the next level,’ says Lindsay Haselhurst, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Currys.

Image credit: Getty images / Peter Dazeley

‘This trial is all about making recycling easy and rewarding. We’re urging the nation to look in drawers, under the sofa and up in the loft – as these unused tech devices that have seen better days could be repaired, rehomed, or recycled into something new,’ Lindsay adds.

Currys really is accepting any tech, bought from anywhere, even if it’s broken. ‘It might look like trash, but it isn’t to us,’ says Lindsay.

Currys’ month-long Cash For Trash is the UK’s first nationwide recycling scheme that gives money back for any old tech. The electrical retailer did some research and found that the most hoarded items are mobile phones (67%).

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

But consumers are sitting on a goldmine of other old, unused tech. From hair styling products and speakers to old landline phones and headphones.

Sure, you might get a better price for your old item on eBay, but the Cash For Trash scheme is perfect for the sake of simply freeing up much-needed space.

The post Currys will buy your broken and unused tech off you with Cash for Trash scheme – here’s how it works appeared first on Ideal Home.