Before deciding on lighting positions, arm yourself with a torch and set off for a night’s walk around the garden to see what you’d like to illuminate. You may have a significant tree, a specimen plant or cycad, a pathway, water or garden feature that would look magnificent with the right lighting.
Part of the garden lighting design process is about choosing and applying creative garden lighting effects to these especially selected areas. There is a fine line between creating an “atmosphere “by using lighting verses creating a GLARE. So to keep on the “atmosphere” side of the line, consider the following before positioning your lights:

• Down lighting accurately lights the intended subject without much wasted light
• Consider your neighbours when positioning up lighters
• Link you lights to a timer, which ensures a welcome and safe arrival after sunset and considerate to all after bed time.
• Place light fixtures low to the ground to illuminate pathways and steps, which will make them more attractive and provide a safer well lit, walk way.
• Conceal light fittings behind foliage, plants or rocks, this adds to the magic of lighting.
• Adjust the angle of the light until you have found the ideal positioning.
• Avoid excessive brightness near seating areas.
• Avoid light pollution also known as photo pollution or luminous pollution by concentrating on the effect being soft and subtle.
• A practical idea would be to draw a plan so that in years to come you will know exactly where cables have been placed and alert all people who work in your garden to their location.