Restoring riparian shade helps maintain healthy stream ecosystems and computer models are helpful in guiding restoration. The effects of meandering and orientation on shade to direct and diffuse lighting was investigated using a simplified model of riparian vegetation. Previous studies have shown that straight streams oriented east-west (EW) experience higher lighting than those oriented north-south (NS). Meandering decreased reach-averaged direct lighting in EW valley streams but increased lighting in NS valley streams. When meander amplitude equalled 50% of meander wavelength, lighting of streams in EW and NS-aligned valleys was similar. Meandering and valley orientation had little effect on diffuse lighting. In EW valleys lighting was highest at stream bends and a strategy to reduce lighting quickly would be to prioritise planting of tall vegetation on bends. In NS valleys lighting was lowest at bends, suggesting the opposite planting strategy. Shade exceeding 70%, a criterion for preventing nuisance aquatic plant growths and stressfully high water temperatures, occurs in ‘typical’ meandering streams on cloudless, mid-summer days at mid-latitudes once H/ W exceeds about 2. The model over-simplifies riparian vegetation and the effects of canopy shape and overhang merit further investigation.