Lighting Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)

mydenlife
Oct 1
4 min read

As an interior designer I find myself in all sorts of room sizes and shapes with clients. And one of the things that always makes or breaks a room is the lighting design. It influences how colours appear, how big a room feels, and even how we feel emotionally in it. Many homes fall into the same lighting traps, but they’re surprisingly easy to avoid — especially once you know what to look for.

Photo Credit: DEN LIFE interiors

Of course when you are renovating or refurbishing there are so many things to consider and plan for. You need to consider what you are keeping in the space, what needs to be bought, costs for decorating or building trades, flooring, curtains and window finishes. The list is endless and sadly the budget is not! And lighting is one of those design elements that people often leave to the end — squeezed in once the furniture is ordered and the paint is drying. So a bit of forethought can really make all the difference and hopefully by reading through the following it might save you from bad lighting!

The Pitfall of Relying on One Overhead Light

One of the most common mistakes is depending on a single ceiling pendant or flush-mount light. That one source casts harsh, flat illumination and throws unwanted shadows. In a living room or dining area, that approach kills atmosphere.

Photo credit: Decor Crowd

A far better approach is layered lighting — combining ambient, task, and accent lights. Think a ceiling light plus wall sconces, table lamps, or floor lights. Then depending on the activity, time of day and mood you are in, you will have options to adjust the lighting to suit.

I personally love a wall light as part of the combo, they free up floor space while giving soft, flattering light that helps a room feel taller. And they work everywhere from lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms to even your bathroom for a chilled long soak.

Photo credit: Pinterest Unknown

Getting the Bulb Temperature Wrong

Another easy mistake is using the wrong bulb colour or temperature. Too cool (5000 K or above) and a living room can feel cold and sterile; too warm (below 2700 K) and a kitchen or workspace can lose clarity and contrast and you won't see what you are about to chop up!

Here’s a simple guiding rule:

Warm white (2700K–3000K) in living rooms, bedrooms, dining – for cosy, relaxing light
Neutral/bright white (3000K–4000K) in kitchens, bathrooms, offices – for clarity and accuracy

And wherever possible — use dimmable LED bulbs. They allow you to adjust the mood without needing multiple fixtures.

Ignoring Scale and Proportion

Lighting that is too small looks lost; lighting that’s too big overwhelms (although there is an argument that you can never go too big on lighting!). It's more about making sure the drop and height is right for your space.

Photo Credit: Original BTC Lighting

Tall pendants that hang down too low with nothing anchored beneath them (think kitchen islands/tables) can feel oppressive and those taller amongst us will be ducking as we move through the space. Instead where you have a low ceiling, opt for wide, shallower shades or choose ceiling fixtures flush to the ceiling. In contrast a high ceiling needs enough of a drop (and width of light shade) to have a visual impact on the space. As a general rule of thumb an average lounge needs a shade of at 50-60cm diameter for impact. A high ceiling and a larger space can increase in diameter to 80-100cm. Or you group clusters together for impact.

If you have a dining table or kitchen island, aim for pendants that are proportionate: roughly one-third the width of the table. Two or three smaller fixtures in a row are common but there are also beautiful long line pendants that would span the length of a table or island too.

Photo credit: Perch and Parrow

Skipping Task Lighting

Ambient light may set the mood, but task lighting is what makes your home functional. Without it, you’ll struggle to read, cook, or work without straining your eyes and life is hard enough without working against yourself too!

Photo Credits with thanks to: Conran Shop

Some ideas to help make life simpler:

Under-cabinet LEDs in kitchens
Adjustable reading lamps by beds
Desk lamps or wall lights in home offices
Floor lamps near sofas

Placing Lights Poorly

Even good lights can look wrong if placed badly. Pendant lights behind you can cast shadows when you’re working at surfaces. Hallways with only ceiling lights can feel tunnelled.

Before you commit, walk the space. Are your sofas low slung? Should your ambient lighting (think lamps/wall lights) be set low too? See where your eyes land, where shadows fall, and where you need light most. Mirrors are a secret weapon here — a lamp reflected off a mirror can double your light output and visually expand the room.

Skipping Dimmers and Controls

A little war on the on/off switches... they are limiting. Dimmers allow you to control ambience. One moment you want bright light for cleaning or cooking; the next, gentle, low-key lighting for relaxing. So installing LED compatible bulbs and dimmer switches gives you all the flexibility you need.

If you’re renovating, consider smart lighting — set scenes for evening, reading, dinner. Even in small homes, smart bulbs or smart switches let one fitting do multiple roles without cluttering a room.

Treating Lighting as an Afterthought

By the time the paint, furniture and fabrics are chosen, it’s easy to relegate lighting to the final checklist. But lighting should be woven into the design from the start.

Photo credit: DEN LIFE interiors

Choose your fixture styles, finishes, switch placement, and focal points early. Good lighting will accent the room colours, enhance textures, and highlight items you love most. If your fixtures and finishes complement your hardware and room aesthetic, everything looks cohesive and intentional.

Photo Credits with thanks to: A Full Mug

Lighting may be invisible when done well — but when it’s wrong, it’s impossible to ignore. By avoiding these common mistakes and layering your lighting, I hope you can transform your home into a place that looks gorgeous, functions beautifully, and feels just right. And as always just drop me a message if you have any questions!