When Good Lighting Becomes Great Design
When people imagine their dream home, they usually picture the finishes — the perfect sofa, the paint colours, the cabinets. But there’s one element that quietly shapes everything else: lighting.
Lighting isn’t just about making a space bright enough to see. It sets the mood, highlights the details you love, and makes your home (or workplace) feel the way you want it to. Thoughtful lighting turns a room from “fine” into something you truly enjoy being in. And as a designer, I see this every day — whether I’m working on a new build, a renovation, or helping clients furnish their home.
Natural Light: Always the Best Place to Start
Nothing beats natural light. It instantly makes a room feel bigger, fresher, and more inviting. It also does wonders for your well-being — boosting your mood, supporting healthy sleep patterns, and even helping you focus.
When I’m designing for my clients, I always think about how the sun moves through a space:
Living areas benefit from that bright morning or midday light.
Bedrooms feel cozier with softer evening light.
Offices or lobbies come alive with skylights or larger windows that pull you in as soon as you step inside.
Even small changes during a renovation can make a huge difference. Enlarging a window, adding a skylight, or even a slim transom window can completely change how a home feels — and it often adds lasting value.
Layered Lighting: More Than Just One Switch
If you’ve ever walked into a room with a single overhead light, you know it’s not exactly flattering. That’s why we layer lighting. Think of it as giving your space “modes” depending on what you’re doing.
Ambient light: your main, overall glow — ceiling fixtures, recessed lights, or a chandelier.
Task lighting: focused, practical light — pendants over the kitchen island, sconces by the vanity, or a reading lamp.
Accent lighting: the mood-setters — picture lights, under-shelf strips, or a spotlight on a feature wall.
The magic happens when these layers work together, so you can shift from bright and functional to warm and cozy with ease.
Some practical tips I always share with clients:
In the kitchen, under-cabinet lighting makes prep so much easier (and shadow-free).
In living rooms, skip the single overhead and mix lamps, sconces, and dimmable fixtures for flexibility.
Over a dining table, pendants look best hung about 30–36 inches above for comfort and intimacy.
When I’m helping clients with new furniture selections, I always make sure the lighting works with the layout — the right lamp beside a sofa or accent chair makes a huge difference in both comfort and style.
Lighting as a Design Tool
Lighting does more than brighten a space — it guides how you experience it.
It leads the way: Step lights or hallway sconces gently show you where to go.
It sets the mood: Warm light feels cozy and inviting, while cooler light keeps kitchens and offices crisp.
It defines spaces: A pendant over your dining table or a floor lamp by your reading chair instantly “zones” an open-concept room.
In commercial spaces or retail, restaurants, and hotels, lighting actually becomes part of the brand — from the inviting glow of a shop window to the soft, candlelit feel of a restaurant.
Homes vs. Commercial Spaces
The principles are the same, but the goals shift.
At Home
Lighting should make life easier and more comfortable. In residential interior design, I often focus on creating flexibility for families.
Living rooms need dimmers to easily shift from movie night to entertaining.
Kitchens deserve strong task lighting layered with pendants for style and practicality.
Bedrooms come alive with softer, layered light that supports winding down.
New furniture layouts often call for new lamps or sconces to balance the space.
In Commercial Spaces
Lighting has to work harder — balancing function and impression.
Offices need clear, glare-free light for productivity.
Restaurants use dramatic or layered lighting to shape atmosphere.
Hotels blend practical task lighting with ambient touches that feel welcoming and on-brand.
Renovation Realities
If you’re working with an existing space, it helps to know what’s realistic.
Harder to change: window placement, skylights, or structural ceiling elements.
Easier to update: swapping fixtures, adding sconces, running LED strips, or installing dimmers.
Sometimes it’s not about a big overhaul. Simply changing harsh cool bulbs to warmer ones, or adding a couple of floor lamps, can shift the entire mood of a room — especially if you’re refreshing your furniture or updating a renovation with finishing touches.
Final Thoughts
Good lighting makes a space usable. Great lighting makes it memorable. It elevates finishes, shapes how we feel, and brings a home (or workplace) to life.
For me, lighting is never an afterthought — it’s one of the most powerful design tools I use in my projects. Whether it’s a cozy family living room, a new build, or a renovation that includes fresh furniture selections, the right lighting plan always transforms the experience of a space.
Though I’m based in London, Ontario, my interior design work extends to projects across the country and beyond. Every home has its own story, and lighting is always part of how that story unfolds.
If you’re ready to explore how the right lighting can elevate your home or business, book your complimentary discovery call with me. Let’s talk about how to bring your vision to life — in a way that’s functional, beautiful, and uniquely yours.