Outdoor Garden Lighting Techniques

Tips and Tricks

Always conceal the light source, either with a glare guard on the luminaire or by tucking it behind a shrub, large branch, wall or rock. Ideally, you will be unable to see where the light originates.
Avoid installing luminaries in the undergrowth of low shrubs or tall grasses. The beam of light needs unimpeded passage from the fixture to the local point so there are no distracting spots or reflected light (unless you want a shadowy effect, in which case the opposite applies).
Don’t over light. Less is more!!! Extremely bright illumination often has a garish, theatrical look.
Experiment with backlighting. Lighted tress in the background of a forested area creates silhouettes in the foreground. An uplighted hedge behind a shrub or tree will do the same.
Don’t illuminate every surface. Shadows work to define lighted areas.
Create a different look for your property at night than it has during the day. The night view will often be more dramatic than the day view.
Take advantage of the many beam angles, frosted lenses and mounts available so that your outdoor luminaries suit your situation.

Setting the scene

Accent/Spotlighting	Shadowing
A quick way to add drama to a landscaped garden. Position intense and focussed lights near the base of statuary or trees or near a surfaced wall or trellis. This technique is very compelling but should be used sparingly.	If you have a tree or statue with a striking profile in front of a wall or other surface, shadowing may be a very elegant way to add some drama to your exterior. Place recessed luminaries in front of the object to create shadows on the surface beyond.
Cross Lighting	Silhouetting
If your aim is to show off a beautiful statue or an old gnarled tree, you’ll love the softly flattering light that it produced by cross lighting. To do this, position a spotlight on either side of the object you wish to illuminate whether natural or manmade. The multiple beams of light produce soft softer shadows and reveal more detail.	The opposite of shadowing, this lighting technique is equally as simple. Just position a recessed luminaire behind and below the object to create a spectacular silhouette.
Downlighting	Spread Lighting
Downlighting is recommended as an effective and affordable method for security lighting. To illuminate large areas position bright spotlights near the roof of your home. To light a pathway, mount smaller luminaries near the ground.	If you’ve invested in landscaping your gardens with flowerbeds and low shrubs, you’ll want to enhance its nighttime appeal with spread lighting. To do this, position luminaries to illuminate low lying landscaping and ground cover.
Path Lighting	Uplighting
There is perhaps nothing more beckoning that a well lit garden path. Place low level on either side of a path or walkway. As an added benefit, path lighting provides a safe walkway and adds to your home’s security.	If a canopy of branches covers your garden, try this technique, place recessed luminaries in the ground and angle the lamp upwards. The illuminated branches or architecture will provide an interesting point of visual interest and reflect a soft light onto your garden and patio.