Top Common Lighting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Lighting can make or break a room’s ambiance, yet it’s so often done wrong. Too often in fact.

You’ve probably walked into a room and felt something was off without being able to pinpoint exactly what. Chances are, it was the lighting. It’s probably a nice room, but just how the wrong color paint can ruin a gorgeous car, the wrong lighting can ruin a gorgeous room.

From harsh overheads to dimly lit corners, common lighting mistakes are everywhere. And they needn’t be.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 lighting mistakes we see and how to fix them.

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Eliminating All Natural Light

When designing a space, one of the most common lighting mistakes we see is when you eliminate (or keep but don’t factor in) natural light.

This error impacts the aesthetic appeal of any room, without question. But what’s worse is that it can significantly affect both your mood and energy levels.

Research shows that natural light boosts productivity and happiness, but I’d like to think you knew that already!

But while it’s clear to see that more natural light is better, is having no natural light just worse, not terrible?

You’d be forgiven to think that artificial lighting offers more control over the lighting levels and ‘feel’ of the room. However, the absence of natural light will make a space feel claustrophobic and uninviting.

It’s the same reason you pay less for a hotel room without a window.

It’s a delicate balance to strike, but the key is to allow natural light to complement artificial lighting, rather than replacing it entirely.

Tips for Maximising Natural Light

To maximize natural light in a room, consider the following tips:

• Use light-colored curtains or blinds that allow light to filter through even when closed. Ideally you’d want no blinds, solely using curtains you can open fully in the morning and close in the evening. However, you may still find blinds useful for diffusing the natural light coming in, as well as blocking the sun directly shining in through the window.
• Position furniture in a way that it does not block windows or other natural light sources. As much as I love a good bookcase, the last place you should be putting it is in front of the window!
• Incorporate mirrors and reflective surfaces to bounce natural light around the room, making it appear brighter. As well, you get the added benefit of your space looking larger – you’ll have probably heard of this trick before!

As well, it’s important to recognize when and where to use window treatments.

While privacy is a concern in certain areas, such as bathrooms and bedrooms, opting for sheer materials can offer privacy without sacrificing natural light.

In living areas, consider using adjustable window treatments that allow you to control the amount of light entering the room throughout the day.

While artificial lighting is essential for creating a well-lit space, it’s vital to avoid the trap of eliminating all natural light. The benefits of natural light extend beyond mere aesthetics, contributing to a healthier and more energizing environment.

By implementing strategies to maximize natural illumination, you’ll ensure that your spaces not only look good but also feel good.

Relying on a Single Light Source

One of the most common lighting mistakes you might not even realize you’re making is relying solely on a single light source (like LED strip lights or a single pendant light) to light up a room.

Using just one light often leads to uneven lighting, creating shadows and areas of darkness that can make your space feel smaller and less welcoming.

Therefore, it’s essential to diversify your lighting (I make it sound so technical!) by incorporating multiple sources to ensure a well-balanced and functional environment.

Why It’s a Mistake

• Uneven Lighting: A single light source, whether it’s a ceiling fixture or a floor lamp, can’t distribute light evenly throughout a room. All it will lead to is bright spots directly under or near the light, with the rest of the room remaining dim or shadowed.
• Lack of Versatility: Different tasks require different levels of lighting. Reading might need strong, focused light (task lighting – we write more about this here), while dining or relaxing generally calls for softer, ambient lighting. A single source can’t provide this versatility.
• Mood and Atmosphere: Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood of a room. A single, harsh light source can make a space feel cold and unwelcoming, while multiple light sources can add depth and warmth.

Tips for Avoiding This Mistake

To prevent falling into the trap of relying on a single light source, consider some of these tips:

• Layer Your Lighting (more on this later): Incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, task lighting focuses light on specific areas for activities like reading or cooking, and accent lighting highlights architectural features or artwork.
• Utilize Natural Light: Whenever possible, take advantage of natural light, as we spoke about earlier. It’s an effective way to brighten your space during the day and can be complemented with artificial light sources as the day progresses.
• Consider Light Placement: Strategically place different types of lighting fixtures throughout the room to ensure an even distribution of light. Use a combination of overhead lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces to achieve a balanced look.

By avoiding the mistake of relying on a single light source, you can transform your space with a simple yet effective change.

Remember thought – experiment with different lighting options to find what works best!

Not Layering Your Lighting

Next up on our list of common lighting mistakes – not layering your lighting.

Layering lighting is all about creating depth through the lights you use, and it’s so, so simple to do. All it involves is using a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to achieve a balanced and inviting atmosphere.

Incorporating a mix of these lighting types allows you to adjust the atmosphere depending on the time of day, mood, or specific task at hand.

For instance, dimming the ambient lighting (dimmable recessed ceiling lights are a good example of this), and turning on a few accent and task lights (wall lights and a floor lamp, respectively) can create a cozy setting for a movie night.

To get started with layering, think about what things you’re likely to be doing in each room, and plan your lighting accordingly. For me, my bedroom is mostly for working on my laptop at a desk, sleeping, and occasionally jumping on my exercise bike.

Then, when you’ve got an idea of the lights you want to use, double-check there’s a good balance between the three types of lighting – ambient, accent, and task lighting.

So going back to my bedroom example, this would mean making sure I’ve got the desk lamp for task lighting (the task being working on my laptop), as well as the accent and ambient lights.

Lighting That’s Too Bright

When it comes to lighting, more isn’t always better. Having lights that are too bright is a tell-tale sign you’ve not properly considered the effect those bright lights are going to have on your space.

If you’ve ever walked into a space and immediately felt the urge to squint, you know exactly what this entails.

In short, brightness should be tailored to the room’s function and the mood you want to set, not just the maximum wattage a fixture can handle (see: Does Wattage Determine Brightness for Light Bulbs?).

One of the major downsides of overly bright lighting is the strain it puts on your eyes, and eventually the headache you get if you’re there for too long. In spaces designed for relaxation or intimate gatherings, bright lights can create an atmosphere that’s anything but cozy. 

How to Rectify Bright Lighting

Think dimmers, which allow for adjustable lighting levels, making it easy to switch from vibrant and energetic to soft and serene in seconds.

Another key aspect to consider is the color temperature of the bulbs.

Lights with a high Kelvin rating emit a cooler, bluish light, which can feel harsh and unwelcoming if used in excess in living spaces. Instead, opt for warmer tones that mimic the natural glow of the sun-kissed hours for living rooms and bedrooms.

Here’s a quick breakdown of ideal brightness levels for different rooms:

Room	Ideal Brightness (in Lumens)
Living Room	1,500-3,000K
Kitchen	5,000-10,000K
Bedroom	1,000-2,000K
Bathroom	4,000-8,000K

Remember, these numbers are just starting points. We have a full color temperature guide here if you want to know more.

Not Accounting for Shadows

Last but certainly not least, we have shadows.

When planning your room’s lighting, it’s easy to overlook how all your different lights will interact to create shadows. These unintended dark spots can significantly detract from a room’s atmosphere – it’s a mistake not to consider them.

One big shadow mistake we see time and time again is positioning overhead lighting directly above seating areas. While it seems like a reasonable thing to do, it often casts shadows down from your head, making things like reading more challenging.

Similarly, if light sources are placed improperly in a kitchen, they can cast shadows over workspaces, making tasks like chopping and cooking more challenging. This is why task lighting is so important in the kitchen, as well as light placement above kitchen islands and countertops!

So, strategic placement of lights is crucial to mitigate shadows. For instance, incorporating task lighting under kitchen cabinets or over bookshelves can illuminate areas that overhead lights miss.

Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate shadows entirely – you want some shadows in your space to creating a sense of depth and visual interest. But the trick is to aim for a nice balance where shadows add depth and dimension without compromising comfort or functionality.

Closing Remarks

Avoiding these five common lighting mistakes will keep your home the envy of your neighbours the next time you invite them round for tea.

While we’ve listed the common mistakes, you’ll notice we’ve not told you what you should do. There’s a reason for this – we want you to experiment!

Don’t shy away from trying things out, because it’s only through trial and error that you’ll discover the best lighting setup for you.

So, what are you waiting for!

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