4 Things Lighting Design Experts Wish You Knew

Lighting design is often seen as speciality service. You may not need it very often, but when you do, it’s super important to get right. It affects our mood, how well we sleep, and even contributes towards productivity. Not to mention the aesthetic appeal.

Although, the reality is, most people who employ a designer specifically for their lighting are new to it, and it can be daunting at first. But you’ll be glad to know, it doesn’t have to be, and we’re here to help.

If you’re thinking about hiring a lighting designer and want to make sure you’re prepared, read on. Here, we explore four things you need to know for your lighting design project so you can get the most from your home renovation.

1. Always plan your lighting early

If you were to only take one thing away from this article, it should be this. When planning your home renovation project, be sure to include lighting in the early stages. The single biggest mistake you can make when planning lighting is leaving it too late in the process. You want your lighting to be designed alongside your interior – after all, they work hand-in-hand. Similarly, this goes for the electrical side of things too. From specifying the right cables, through to available wall sockets and lighting controls, being one step ahead will result in a smooth project for all.

In short, planning your lighting as early as possible will ensure you have everything needed in place to bring your vision to life.

2. It’s OK to set a budget/discuss it openly

No matter how big or small, everyone has a budget they must stick to. A renovation involves many things, and allocating your budget towards those individually can make managing the project and ensuring all goes well a lot easier.

When it comes to the money set aside for your lighting, be clear with your lighting design on how much you’re looking to spend. A good designer will be able to work at different budget levels and get the most from what you’re looking to spend.

Alternatively, you may not be aware of the costs involved and need some direction in terms of what’s realistic. In this case, having an open conversation with your lighting designer surrounding how much to spend is a great idea. They’ll be able to guide you through expectation at various budget levels so you can decide and agree on the best option for you.

3. Consider year-round requirements

We’ve explored the importance of natural daylight before, and while it’s a fantastic light source, it won’t always offer the light your space needs. When thinking about your lighting scheme, you need to make sure it looks and functions as good on winter evening than it does a summery afternoon.

So, be sure to talk to your lighting designer about how this will be achieved. Your artificial lighting sources must make dark spaces feel inviting when there’s no natural daylight to support it. Perhaps a smart lighting control solution will be called upon?

4. The importance of an open mind

To get the very best from your space, having an open mind in exploring various lighting approaches is key. There’s so much more to lighting design than choosing a variety of fixtures and flooding a space with downlights. In fact, there are endless possibilities with each and every lighting scheme. From showcasing textured surfaces with focused lights, through to the creation of floating effects using LEDs, and even the projection of decorative shadows as light passes through objects. With lighting, you really can create a look and feel unique to your space.

Speak to the lighting design experts – Hampshire Light

Over the last 20 years, our lighting design team at Hampshire Light have provided the creative and technical expertise to transform high-end spaces. We collaborate with architects, electricians, interior designers, developers, audio visual specialists and many other professionals to deliver superior lighting design services for our client’s properties. Whether you’re looking to transform a single room, full building, or entire new development complex, we can provide the lighting services you need.

For more information on our architectural lighting offering, download our brochure today. Alternatively, send our expert team a message with any questions or project requirements you may have – we’re always happy to assist.