8 Common Lighting Mistakes To Avoid

Lighting sets the whole mood for all rooms in your home. It can be the difference between an aesthetically pleasing and not-so-attractive room. To get the lighting perfect you must consider the mood, ambience and atmosphere that you are trying to achieve. 

You can make decisions and create a lighting plan by looking at the following:

• What is the room used for? E.g. work, sleep, entertainment or cooking?

• How do you want the room to feel? E.g. warm, cosy, productive or lively. 

• How can I use lighting to achieve this? E.g. layered lighting, dimmers or experimenting with light temperature. 

Most people’s downfalls with lighting are by making common and easily fixed mistakes. To help you avoid making these common lighting mistakes, we have put together this list of what they are and ways you can avoid making them. We hope it helps you out!  

1. Using only one light source

An easy lighting mistake to make is to rely on only one light source. Many people rely on just one light source, and that is the main light on the ceiling. One light source cannot achieve a particular mood or atmosphere. 

You can avoid making this mistake by looking at other options. Whilst an overhead light can be perfect for setting an ambient light, you should consider layered lighting. A rule of thumb is to have at least 3 light sources per room. This applies to smaller rooms too, although you should consider using dimmer lights or lights with a low bulb temperature.  

2. Forgetting to consider energy consumption

Many people do not consider the energy consumption of the light bulbs they will be using and end up purchasing halogen or incandescent light bulbs. These types of lights have negative effects on the environment, as well as costing more in the long run. 

LED lights are the best way to light up your home. They use approximately 90% less energy, which can help reduce electricity bills. Also, they last around 35-40 times longer than traditional light bulbs. 

3. Not layering light sources

Not thinking about layering light sources is a common mistake that many people make. Having too many or too few lights on various levels can create an uncomfortable atmosphere in the room. It has even been suggested that lights that are too dim or too bright can cause anxiety. 

There are three light types of light sources that you should consider:

• Ambient: the main source of light in the room.
• Task: lighting used in a particular zone where you complete a task.
• Accent: this highlights a certain element of the room. 

Working with the 3 types of lighting can help you create the perfect lighting in your home. 

4. Not considering task lighting

Task lighting is essential when lighting up your home. It is a common lighting mistake to not consider the purpose of the room or zone in the room and to simply install lighting for aesthetic purposes. By not considering task lighting, you could be hindering yourself from properly completing your daily tasks. 

5. Using the wrong colour temperature

Purchasing the wrong light bulb is a mistake that we have all made in the past! If you choose a light that is too bright, it could ruin the ambience of the room. But if you choose a light that is too dim then you might not be able to complete a task. 

6. Thinking only about design, not practicality 

It is a very common lighting mistake to think only about the aesthetics of the lighting rather than the practicality. 

When you are deciding which lighting to go with, you should first consider what the functions of the space are. For example, if you are looking for kitchen lighting, you will need lighting that will ensure you can chop up your kitchen with ease. You don’t want to be making any mistakes in that department, as you might end up hurting yourself.

If you want to get the perfect lighting in an aesthetic and practical sense, then we suggest that you speak to an interior designer or lighting expert. 

7. Overlooking the impact of shadows 

Shadows can be a huge inconvenience and can hinder a room from looking as good as it should. Whilst shadows can create ambience in your bedroom or living room, they can cause issues in task zones like the kitchen or bathroom, where you need crisp light. 

You can avoid shadows by carefully considering the position of the lights and surrounding furniture. Also, using at least three light sources can prevent the casting of shadows. 

8. Neglecting natural light 

Natural light is a free and gorgeous source of light in your home. You should embrace it as much as you can. It is a common mistake to block it out or replace it with ambient lighting. 

However, this can be avoided by putting natural light at the core of your lighting plan. Then, you will be able to see where it covers. Where it doesn’t cover, is where you should place artificial lighting sources.