In outdoor lighting design,
spacing is often treated as a simple decision.
But in real projects,
spacing has a direct impact on:
- Visibility
- Comfort
- Overall project quality
Too wide, and you get dark gaps.
Too close, and you get glare and wasted cost.
Getting spacing right
is one of the most important parts of bollard lighting design.
1️⃣ There is no “one correct distance”
Many people look for a standard number.
But in practice, spacing depends on:
- Fixture height
- Light distribution
- Lumen output
- Application type
That’s why copying spacing from another project
often leads to poor results.
2️⃣ Typical spacing ranges (practical reference)
From real projects, spacing often falls within:
- 2.5m – 3.5m → residential pathways
- 3m – 4.5m → landscape and park walkways
- 4m – 6m → wider paths or lower-output fixtures
These are starting points — not fixed rules.
3️⃣ The most common mistake: spacing too wide
This usually happens when trying to reduce cost.
What happens:
- Dark areas appear between fixtures
- Walking paths feel unsafe
- Lighting looks uneven
Even if each fixture is bright enough,
the overall effect becomes poor.
4️⃣ Spacing too close creates glare
Another common issue.
When fixtures are too close:
- Light overlaps too much
- Bright spots appear
- Visual comfort decreases
Especially in pathways,
this can make the lighting uncomfortable.
5️⃣ Start from light distribution, not distance
A more practical approach is:
- Understand the beam spread
- Estimate how light overlaps
- Adjust spacing based on actual layout
👉 Not the other way around
This helps achieve:
- Better visual continuity
- More natural lighting effect
- More efficient use of fixtures
6️⃣ Adjust based on project type
Spacing should reflect the project.
For example:
- Hotels → closer spacing for visual quality
- Residential → balanced spacing
- Public areas → wider spacing with functional focus
There is no universal solution.
🔚 Final thought
In bollard lighting design,
spacing is not just a technical detail.
It defines how people experience the space.
A well-spaced layout doesn’t stand out —
but it’s what makes the project feel right.