The lighting Designer explores wildlife-friendly illumination

When the sun sets, a garden shouldn’t disappear into darkness. According to lighting designer Zara Vaux, thoughtful illumination can extend the atmosphere of dusk, allowing outdoor spaces to remain part of daily life long after daylight fades. 

“For me, beautiful, gentle garden lighting extends the warmth and calm of dusk,” she says, “so you’re not confined by the darkness on the other side of a window.” 

Zara begins every project by considering vistas, the journey through a garden from arrival to departure, and the views framed by windows from within the home. Collaboration with the garden designer is key, ensuring lighting supports how each area is intended to be used and, crucially, how it should feel. “What matters most is creating a sense of magic,” she explains, “where you’re not aware of the light source, only the atmosphere it creates.” 

Unlike interiors, gardens are constantly evolving. Zara favours soft beams, warm colour temperatures and layered lighting to create movement, embracing shadow as much as light. “Light is most powerful when it emerges from darkness,” she notes. 

Longevity is equally important. Investing in high quality, low‑voltage fittings designed for their environment ensures reliability and consistency, while careful installation and early planning protect against water ingress and future disruption.

Zara is also passionate about low‑impact lighting. With light pollution rising globally, she advocates a ‘BUG’ approach: reducing backlight, uplight and glare. Combined with warm LEDs and considered control, this helps preserve dark skies and protect wildlife. 

Ultimately, great garden lighting should feel effortless. Whether it’s a quiet evening or a gathering with friends, it provides a gentle backdrop enhanced, perhaps, with the flicker of flame. “Nothing beats firelight,” Zara adds. “It’s the most evocative form of illumination warm, grounding and deeply human.”