Concrete Garden Lamps and Lampposts: How to Choose

A concrete lamppost solves the support and the look in one go: no metal pole to rust, and the solidity of stone. In this guide we go through the six concrete lighting pieces from Vetonek, four low lamps and two column lampposts, with the sizes from their product sheets, and help you choose according to the path, entrance or flower bed you want to light.

Path light, lamp or lamppost: what changes

The main difference is the height of the light point. The path lights and low lamps in our range are between 56 and 105 cm tall and give light at garden level, designed to mark paths, flower beds and steps without dazzling. The two lampposts raise the shade to 2.35 and 2.55 m and light larger areas: entrances, driveways and residential estate roads.

All are made of white artificial stone (moulded concrete) with a shade, and their product sheets list them for outdoor use, with resistance to frost and sun. One important point before you choose: wiring is not included, and the sheets state that the electrical installation is done by an electrician.

Low lamps and path lights

San Millán Lamp: the compact path light, Ø 19 × 56 cm and 34 kg. According to its sheet, it fits narrow flower beds and next to steps.
Pazuengos Lamp: a 40 × 40 × 60 cm path light on a white artificial stone base. It is a low light that lights the path without dazzling, and several units in a row mark out a whole route.
Valgañón Lamp: a seal figure holding the shade, 50 × 60 × 95 cm and 80 kg. By day it is a garden sculpture; at night, ambient light.
Matute Lamp: a classically inspired female figure in two versions, with a shade as a lamp (33 × 33 × 105 cm) or without a shade as a sculpture (33 × 33 × 78 cm).

Column lampposts

Tobía Lamppost: a Ø 35 × 235 cm column weighing 75 kg, classic and understated in style. Its sheet presents it as general lighting for gardens, entrances and estate roads.
Pedroso Lamppost: a square column, 45 × 45 × 255 cm and 110 kg. It is designed to preside over entrances, flank gates and light estate roads.

How to choose

Height: a path light or low lamp for paths, flower beds and steps; a column lamppost for entrances and open areas.
Spacing: to mark out a path, the sheets advise alternating the lamps on both sides every 3-4 m in a zigzag; next to outdoor steps, one path light for every run of 3-4 steps, to one side and level with the first step.
Type of light: the Valgañón sheet recommends a warm (2700 K), low-power LED bulb, because soft, warm light looks better than a strong light that dazzles.
Style: a figure (Valgañón, Matute) if you want the lamp to decorate by day too; a plain path light (San Millán, Pazuengos) or column (Tobía, Pedroso) if you prefer a restrained piece.
As a pair: the Pedroso sheet suggests placing two on either side of a gate to mark the entrance.

Installation and electrics: what the sheets say

The electrical side is a job for an electrician, who also decides the bulb type and the installation. For the lampposts, the Tobía sheet suggests pouring a small concrete footing with the cable conduit already in place before setting the column, so that it stands perfectly plumb, and both lampposts mention anchoring. With pieces weighing 75 and 110 kg, the footing and anchoring details are for your project technician to decide.

The Matute Lamp in its figure version without a shade has another use: its sheet suggests raising it on a pedestal column so the sculpture sits at eye level. In our guide to decorative concrete columns you will find the pedestals and shafts in the range. And if you are furnishing the same space, also take a look at our guide to concrete benches.

Frequently asked questions

Do concrete lamps include the electrical installation?

No. Wiring is not included and the sheets state that an electrician does the installation. The shade is included on the models that have one, and the sheet describes it as ready for standard lamp holders.

What height of path light or lamppost do I need?

It depends on what you want to light. For paths, flower beds and steps, the low lamps of 56 to 105 cm; for entrances and large areas, the lampposts at 2.35 m (Tobía) or 2.55 m (Pedroso).

How far apart should path lights be placed along a path?

The sheets suggest alternating them on both sides every 3-4 m in a zigzag. Next to steps, one path light for every run of 3-4 steps, to one side and level with the first step.

What bulb should I use in a lamp with a shade?

The Valgañón Lamp sheet recommends a warm (2700 K), low-power LED. For the exact type and power your installation can take, ask your electrician.

How is a concrete lamppost installed?

On a concrete footing with the cable conduit already in place, according to the Tobía sheet, and with anchoring. The footing and anchoring are set by the project technician, and the electrical connection by an electrician.

You can see the whole selection in the lighting collection; to start, take a look at the San Millán Lamp, the Tobía Lamppost and the Pedroso Lamppost.

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