Seeing the Stars

• Conservatories allow you to sit under the stars at night. However, overhead lights can make the stars not visible. You can place the illumination near the ground, such as walk-over LED lights, and use reading lamps when working to resolve this. Use walk-over lights recessed into the floor. Strong, crisp lamp lights work better when reading, while softer lights help accent objects in the conservatory.
  
  

Light Controls

• Connect the lights to one ring so you can turn the lights on simultaneously. Include several light switches throughout the conservatory to avoid tripping in the dark. Timer switches turn the lights on when night falls. Some controls allow you to dim the lights to your taste. Install several outlets so that you don't need cables running along the floor for the lamps.
  
  

Lighting Decisions

• The conservatory glazings create reflections that magnify the lighting. Blinds will help reflect much of the light back into the conservatory and provide privacy. The extent of home lighting depends on how you plan to use the conservatory. Some may want the most minimalistic lighting possible, using only enough to avoid tripping. The stars and moon can create enough illumination for visibility during some nights. Others may want extra lighting to illuminate their plants, but remember that plants need some darkness to grow healthy.
  
  

Exterior Lights

• Consider putting lighting on the exterior wall of your property connected to the conservatory. These lights can emit light in one direction or you can use spotlights and direct the light wherever needed. Picture lights illuminate hanging pictures and LED lights illuminate steps and other obstructions near the exterior wall, preventing tripping.
  
  

Cables

• The cables that provide electricity for the lighting will not have many places to hide, leading to exposed and unsightly cables. However, builders and designers often find ways to hide the cables. To minimize cables, combine the ceiling lighting with the ceiling fan to run the cables through one spot. These fans can use inexpensive incandescent light bulbs, but incandescent bulbs waste a lot of electricity. Fluorescent lights, pendant lights, down lights, chandeliers and surface-mounted halogen lights are also options.