The Correct Lighting Design Process – Why Good Planning Is Essential
When building or renovating a house, people often invest a lot of time in choosing floors, furniture, and colors. Lighting, on the other hand, is often only considered at the very end – and that is one of the biggest mistakes. Because even the highest quality furnishings can lose their impact if the lighting is not right. Conversely, well-thought-out lighting can optically enlarge a room, make it feel cozier, and even increase the value of a property.
Professional lighting design therefore begins not with the purchase of luminaires, but already in an early planning phase. But how do you actually go about it correctly? What can you plan yourself and when should you consult an expert? In this guide, we show you step by step how good lighting design works and what you should definitely pay attention to.
Why good lighting design is so important
Light is much more than just brightness. It influences our mood, our well-being, and even our performance. A poorly lit room quickly feels uncomfortable or impractical. Too little light in the kitchen makes working difficult, glaring lights in the living room disturb a relaxed TV evening, and misplaced lamps can cast shadows that are annoying in everyday life.
Good lighting design, on the other hand, ensures that each room receives exactly the lighting it needs. This not only involves the right luminaire, but also its position, light color, brightness, and the ability to create different lighting moods.
Modern LED technology, in particular, offers almost unlimited possibilities today. Those who inform themselves early can not only save electricity with energy-efficient lighting but also create significantly more living quality.
If you are looking for high-quality lighting solutions, you will find a large selection of recessed spotlights and ceiling lights in our range, which are perfect for basic lighting.
The first step: How will the room be used?
The biggest mistake in lighting design is to first choose a beautiful lamp. In fact, you should first consider how the room will be used later.
A living room is usually used for relaxing, reading, watching TV, and social evenings. A kitchen, on the other hand, must be primarily functional. In the bathroom, mirror areas need to be particularly bright, while the bedroom should create a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
Each room therefore places different demands on lighting. Therefore, it is advisable to first look at a floor plan and ask yourself the following questions:
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What activities take place here?
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Where will furniture be placed later?
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Which areas should be particularly highlighted?
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Where is task lighting needed?
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Where should cozy mood lighting be created?
The more precisely these questions are answered, the easier the subsequent planning will be.
The Three-Level Principle for Perfect Light
Professional lighting designers almost always work with multiple light sources. A single ceiling lamp is no longer sufficient in most rooms today.
General Lighting
General lighting ensures that a room is generally bright enough. Typical solutions are ceiling lights or recessed spotlights.
Recessed spotlights, in particular, are very popular because they appear inconspicuous and at the same time allow for uniform illumination. If you are looking for modern and energy-efficient solutions, you will find suitable recessed spotlights such as the recessed spotlight Shot M for almost every living area.
Task Lighting
This refers to light for specific activities. Examples include the kitchen countertop, the desk, or the bathroom mirror.
Good task lighting prevents shadows and significantly facilitates everyday life. Especially in the kitchen, many builders underestimate this area and later find that the work surfaces are not sufficiently illuminated.
Accent Lighting
The third level creates atmosphere. This includes indirect lighting, wall spotlights, LED strips, or illuminated shelves.
Only the combination of these three types of lighting ensures a harmonious overall picture and makes a room flexibly usable.
Choosing the Right Light Color
Not all light has the same effect. The so-called color temperature is specified in Kelvin and significantly influences the mood of a room.
Warm white light between 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvin is ideal for living rooms and bedrooms, as it appears cozy and relaxing.
Neutral white light between 3,500 and 4,000 Kelvin fits perfectly in kitchens and bathrooms, as colors are displayed more naturally.
Daylight white is mainly used in workshops or offices.
Multiple Light Sources Instead of a Single Lamp
A common mistake is to only plan for one central ceiling light. This creates dark corners and a less cozy atmosphere.
A modern living room, for example, could consist of the following light sources:
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Ceiling lighting,
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Floor lamp,
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Pendant light,
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Indirect lighting,
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Shelf lighting,
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Wall lights.
This allows different lighting moods to be created for various situations. In the morning, bright light is used, while in the evening, indirect lighting provides coziness.
Open living concepts, in particular, benefit enormously from multiple light sources.
Don't forget the electrical planning
Perfect lighting planning doesn't end with the selection of luminaires. Equally important is the planning of switches and sockets.
Consider early on:
Which lights should be switched together?
Where are dimmers useful?
Where are sockets needed for floor lamps?
Should a smart home system be integrated later?
Many builders later regret having only a single light switch for every mood. With multiple circuits, rooms can be used much more flexibly.
Lighting Design for New Builds
In new builds, lighting design should ideally run parallel to electrical planning. The earlier lighting is considered, the easier it is to optimally position cables, switches, and ceiling outlets.
The ideal process is as follows:
First, the floor plan is analyzed. Then, the furniture planning takes place. After that, the functions of the individual rooms are defined. Only then is the actual lighting concept developed and finally the electrical installation coordinated with it.
This sequence prevents costly changes during the construction phase.
Lighting design for a renovation
Existing buildings can also be excellently modernized.
Track systems are particularly popular today because they can be flexibly adapted later. New luminaires can be added or moved at any time without major modifications being necessary.
If you are looking for a particularly versatile solution, you should take a look at our track lights. Especially for living and dining areas, they offer maximum flexibility.
When can you take over the lighting planning yourself?
Not every project requires a professional lighting designer.
Individual rooms or smaller renovations can certainly be planned yourself with some preparation. It is important to invest enough time in the preparation and to think about the use, light color, and positioning of the luminaires.
Floor plans, photos, and furniture plans are helpful in this regard.
When should you consult a professional?
However, there are situations in which professional support makes sense.
These include new builds, major renovations, open-plan living concepts, high ceilings, or smart home projects.
A professional lighting designer recognizes potential problems early on and develops a consistent concept for the entire building. This avoids bad purchases and reduces subsequent alterations.
Especially for high-quality construction projects, professional planning quickly pays off. If you need support with your project, find out more about our lighting design and our lighting consultation. Together, we will develop an individual lighting concept that perfectly matches your home.
The most common mistakes in lighting design
In our daily consultations, we repeatedly encounter the same problems.
Many rooms only have one central ceiling light. Often too little light is planned. Furniture positions are often forgotten or the light color does not match the use of the room.
Dimmers or separate circuits are also often missing. It becomes particularly annoying when the lighting is only planned after the electrical installation has already been completed.
With early planning, these errors can be easily avoided.
Conclusion: Good lighting design saves money and increases quality of life
Well-thought-out lighting design is not a luxury, but an investment in daily living comfort. Those who think early about the use of rooms, combine various light sources, and use modern LED technology will enjoy their lighting for many years.
Smaller projects can certainly be implemented independently. However, for new buildings, demanding living concepts, or larger renovations, professional support is recommended.
Because good light doesn't happen by chance. It is the result of careful planning, high-quality products, and many years of experience. That's exactly what Licht Kraus supports you with – from the first idea to the finished lighting solution.
Plan your home with the right light
Good lighting design begins long before the selection of luminaires. Together with you, we develop an individual lighting concept that perfectly suits your rooms and your lifestyle.
We support you with, among other things:
✓ the planning of recessed spotlights, pendant, and wall lights,
✓ the optimal placement of luminaires and power outlets,
✓ the selection of suitable light colors and lighting moods,
✓ the lighting of living, dining, and sleeping areas as well as kitchen and bathroom,
✓ the planning of garden and terrace lighting,
✓ modern smart home and dimming concepts.
Just bring your floor plan or construction plans – together we will develop lighting that perfectly combines functionality and atmosphere and avoids later changes.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR LIGHTING DESIGN HERE
Our contact persons will be happy to assist you with your concerns.
