Downlights

Moonlighting is the use of a downlight to produce a natural-looking dappled light effect. This is achieved by mounting a downlight high in the trees, allowing the light to shine through branches and leaves. This is the most sought-after effect when lighting driveways, lawns, patios and other areas that need low-level illumination. 

Downlights are typically mounted 20 to 30 feet high in trees. To find the best location, stand on the surface to be lit. Look up into a nearby tree and follow the trunk to about 20 feet high; that's the minimum height. Keep following the trunk up another 10 feet and note how many branches and leaves obscure your view of the trunk. Settle on a height and location on the trunk that will result in the best-dappled pattern of light on the ground.

In this case, you can still mount the downlight in the tree, but the effect will oval pools of light instead of the more desirable dappled light. This can be a nice effect, but it does look more artificial than dappled light.

This will depend on the height that the downlight is mounted and its beam spread - which will be determined by the bulb if you're using a lamp-ready downlight. But as an example, let's say when it's mounted at 20 feet, your downlight will project an oval region of illumination with a diameter of about 20 feet. Use this number to plan the amount of space between the light sources. For example, an 80-foot driveway would then need four lights spaced 20 feet apart. A time saver would be to mount two lights in each tree -  one pointed to the left and the other to the right. In this example, you would only need to mount lights in two trees, spaced 40 feet apart. The downside to that approach is that you will have light coming from two directions. This method is slightly less natural-looking than having all light pointing in one direction, which closely resembles naturally occurring moonlight.

The easiest way to illuminate house siding is typically with uplights - for example, spotlights that are stake-mounted near the base of the house. However, if you prefer the appearance of downlights and have a place to mount them, this approach can also work. In this case, the downlights are best attached to the vertical wall just beneath an overhanging soffit or gutter. Downlights are also a great way to illuminate a garden bed near a house. Select beam angles to achieve medium (36 degree) or wide (60 degree) coverage depending on the size of the area being illuminated. 

Downlights can be mounted in the eaves or beams inside gazebos or arbors to produce comfortable low-level illumination. Position the fixtures in corners or under peaks so they are largely hidden from view. Use wide beam angles and low wattage bulbs to keep the light level low, resulting in a relaxing and romantic ambiance.