“Let there be Li…” no! We’re not doing clichéd lighting jokes here. There’ll be no bright ideas, lightbulb moments or finding anything enlightening. We won’t be shedding light on anything and we definitely won’t be “throwing shade” eugh! Just some really great advice on lighting - when to start thinking about it, the different types and how to use each type.
A lot of developers don’t really start to think about lighting until it’s too late and they get left with a piddly little lampshade in the centre of the ceiling and some cheap plug in bedside lamps. The ideal time, as with most things in property, is before anyone starts on site. You should be thinking about your lighting with your floor plans, where will they be, what type of fitting and where will the switches go? You might also like to think about whether you need automatic lighting for emergency routes or if you need to plug in floor or desk lamps, where will the sockets go?
Our interior design partners at roost suggest doing a lighting and electrical plan to go with your floor plan and furniture layouts.
Creating a lighting and electrical plan will help you to visualise how the lighting will work in your property. It’ll also help your electrician avoid any mistakes that could cost more money to rectify later by making everything super clear.
The lighting and electrical plan should show the location of lights and their corresponding switches. The placement of sockets, data points, aerials and anything else that may need to be wired in like smoke detectors should be outlined. They don’t have to look as flash as the ones roost produce but it’ll really help you as you progress through the project.
Right so you know you need a plan, but what kind of lighting is there and when should you use one type over another? We’ve got you, as a general rule there are 4 different types of light. A combination of these layered through your space will help to create stunning properties and allow you to match the lighting to any mood and any time of day!
#1 General aka "The big light"
This is the main light source in your room, that in a practical sense allows you to see things — usually a statement central piece or set of spotlights. Having your main light source on a dimmer switch is an easy way to create a transition between day and night, but we always recommend having at least one other light source to help create interest in the room and add depth.
Habitat | Lights & Lamps (Alternative: Dunelm) | Lighting-Direct
#2 Ambient / Mood
Ambient lighting is much softer and used to create atmosphere and drama - think floor, table or wall lights, anything that wouldn’t light the whole room on its own but paired with others gives a nice warm glow. Ambient lighting can still be practical for illuminating dark corners, just at a much lower warmer level — perfect for cosier evenings. Ambient light makes a space more inviting by creating soft pools of light and is as much to do with style as it is function.
Wayfair | Pooky | John Lewis
#3 Task
Generally on the brighter and cooler end of the scale, task lighting — surprisingly — is focused where you need extra light to help perform a task! For example, under cabinet lighting to help with food prep, mirror lighting where you put make-up on or have a shave, low pendants over a dining table/island or a swivel arm wall light above a desk. Task lighting can also be used for architectural and safety details such as riser lights on stairs or down corridors.
Always combine task light with adequate ambient light, to avoid eye strain caused by the contrast from light to dark areas.
Wayfair | La Redoute | Dunelm
#4 Accent
Accent lighting creates a focal point and highlights specific details within the space, for example above artwork where it's more akin to a task light or as a more subtle accent option such as integrating it into shelves or alcoves to enhance architectural features.
You can also use led lighting strips to accent any feature you can think of such as headboards, shelves, wardrobes or even stair treads if you want to go really wild! You can find them all over Amazon (like these).
There’s a kind of boring 5th category which is safety lighting to meet any specific buildings regulations. You may need to grab emergency lighting, PIS fire alarms, smoke detectors etc. The Lumi System is a really clever way to get all of those kinds of things in one fitting.
Quick DOs & DONT's to help create your perfect lighting scheme
DO layer your lighting
Having different types of lighting will allow you to create different moods from day to night - and is much more flattering!
DO oversize
If you think it’s too big…it’s probably about the right size (unless you’re going to be headbutting it!).
A large shade or feature light will make the room feel much more “designed”, so when in doubt always go bigger.
DO go for dimmers
A quick twist of a switch that effortlessly transforms a bright daytime mood to a cosy, intimate vibe... we're all here for that.
DON’T be tied into standard fittings
Electricians can extend cables, rewire vintage fittings, change plugged to hardwired or replace spots with pendants... so if you’ve got something in mind - just ask!
DON’T panic
Especially with cool vs warm bulbs or wattage amount, as getting it wrong will generally only cost you the price of a new bulb - so don't be afraid to experiment!
Now you’ve got all the knowhow to go and create the perfectly lit property for your tenants or guests. We’d love to see your lighting designs so please drop us a message on insta and share your lighting wins.
