How a Lighting Scheme brings out the Best in Your Rooms

At Claudia Interiors we believe lighting is one secret ingredient that can transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary, turning every corner, texture, and detail into a harmonious part of the overall design. Great lighting goes beyond functionality – it creates an ambience, sets a mood, and enhances the very essence of a room. Whether you will be touching a home automation keypad, turning a solid metal rotary dimmer or flicking a Bakelite retro switch, the sensory experience of turning that ‘electric light’ on; a word my great grandmother used; is to be cherished and celebrated! Whether you’re looking to craft an intimate sanctuary, a vibrant social hub, or a calming retreat, here’s how to design a lighting scheme that brings out the best in every space in your home.

Every room has a purpose, and your lighting scheme should enhance that function. We ask clients what are the primary activities that will take place in each particular space of a room. We know kitchens generally need bright, focused lighting essential for chopping and cooking, but you will also want to include options for a softer or dedicated ambiance, maybe the dining area where you sit and eat or small focused accent lighting for a beautiful cupboard, painting or small desk station?

In large rooms with multiple functions such as the main entertainment and living room we need to consider multiple different types of adjustable and directional lighting. Careful floor space and furniture planning always goes hand in hand with the lighting design. My team and I will design drawings which show your furniture and lighting and give you options for both lively bright gatherings and quiet, cozy evenings.

Bedrooms take on another level of design; different zones need very different light levels and sources so that we achieve layered lighting: with softer, warmer tones near the bed plus small, dedicated reading lights and the option to have bright clear lighting in the dressing area so you can see colours of clothes and apply makeup.

When you are planning your different lights in a room, you want to consider these three types:

• Ambient lighting: The foundational light that evenly illuminates a room. Think ceiling lights, wall-mounted fixtures, chandeliers, or recessed lighting.

• Task lighting: Focused lighting for specific activities, like reading, cooking, or working. Examples include desk lamps, reading lights, pendants over countertops, or vanity lights.
• Accent lighting: Used to highlight architectural details, artwork, or other focal points. Picture lights, LED strips under floating shelves, and directional spotlights placed at specific points with narrow beams to accentuate features.

The interplay between these three types creates a dynamic space that can transition effortlessly from practical to atmospheric. This layered approach is fundamental to designing a lighting scheme that feels complete. We don’t advise to overlight a space or overplan the scheme, there is no one size fits all policy to how we design a lighting scheme; this is why we spend a lot of time getting to know our clients and their lifestyle. Not every kitchen, living room and bedroom needs the same circuits and types. There are many factors to consider, such as ceiling heights, period of the building, building regulations, style of interiors and more. This interplay between all kinds of interior design and decoration constraints and opportunities is what makes every scheme and property unique; while we consider general good practise guidelines, the final result is a careful balance between many pieces of a puzzle. One rule I do follow is to avoid covering rooms with ceiling spotlights in grids which look like a Swiss cheese, more often in renovation projects we take out spotlights!

Lighting is a truly personal experience; I know this because on balance I like bright rooms and my husband typically will come in and dim the lights so in my homes every circuit is a dimmer!

Planning the lighting scheme in floor plan drawings and with the circuits clearly annotated, labelled and numbered to show which particular light source is switched together and from how many points, is crucial to being able to imagine how lights will work as you walk through the house.

The colour temperature affects how a room feels. Measured in Kelvins (K), it ranges from warm (yellow) to cool (blue):

• Warm light (2700K – 3000K): Creates a cosy, inviting atmosphere, ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
• Neutral light (3500K – 4000K): Works well in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, balancing clarity and comfort.
• Cool light (4000K – 5000K): Mimics daylight, perfect for offices and workspaces where focus and visibility are essential.

However, don’t be afraid to mix and match within the same space. For instance, in a bathroom, warm lighting around the mirror can soften the reflection, while cooler lighting in the shower area can mimic natural light, helping the space feel fresh and invigorating. Understanding the power of colour temperature allows you to design rooms that feel as comfortable and inviting as they are functional.

You can now buy architectural spots and even decorative fittings which change colour temperature on a control , I recommend looking at these two brands which we buy regularly and they offer both very high quality CRI and different temperatures : Orluna and Occhio.

Even the most carefully planned lighting scheme will fall short without the right bulbs. Consider brightness, energy efficiency, and colour rendering;  all impact how the light interacts with your room. With bulbs it is unfortunately true that you get what you pay for. LED bulbs which are now the standard for energy efficiency come in excellent quality which can mimic the soft glow we are used to from the old incandescent or halogen bulbs.

For rooms where colour accuracy matters, such as art studios or dressing areas, select bulbs with a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI), which reflects colours more faithfully. The quality of light in your room should elevate the design, making textures, colours, and architectural details appear at their best.

Great lighting design is all about depth and dimension, which you can achieve by mixing light sources at different levels. Consider combining floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and ceiling fixtures to create a multi-layered effect. This approach brings a sense of balance and harmony, avoiding harsh shadows or unappealing, flat lighting.

In a living room, for example, a combination of a chandelier, a few wall sconces, and a floor lamp or two will create a versatile setting. When the chandelier provides overall illumination, the wall sconces add warmth, and the floor lamps allow for focused reading light. Mixing and layering light sources creates a room that feels thoughtfully illuminated and encourages a sense of movement and flow.

I believe dimmers are one of the most essential and simple tools in any lighting scheme, offering a level of control that can completely change the mood of a room. Bright, clear light is often needed during the day or for certain activities, but being able to soften that light in the evening brings an added level of sophistication and calm to the space.

Dimmer switches allow you to transition effortlessly from daytime functionality to evening ambience. They are particularly useful in rooms like the dining area, where you may want bright light for dinner preparation and a softer, more intimate glow when it’s time to eat. Consider installing dimmers for all major light sources, from overhead lighting to table lamps, for a flexible and refined lighting experience.

You just have to be careful with certain decorative lights, certain types of bulbs or vintage lights which can’t be dimmed. Also, the compatibility of the dimming system with the dimmer driver is important, please consult your electrician or when we design a scheme for you we will ensure that the drivers and modules are compatible, nonetheless at very low dimming points you may get flickering or humming and you may have to change bulbs or drivers.

You may read about lighting control systems and integrated whole house smart systems. They have a role to play in very large and complex properties, especially in large open plan spaces. It can be cumbersome to switch and dim to the right level 10+ circuits in a space. Economically and environmentally it also makes sense to have control from one point or from a mobile device to steer the lighting (and shading and heating) for the entire house. But as a starting point from a design perspective, for many homes a well-crafted lighting scheme using a good variety of dimming circuits and skilled selection of fittings, can achieve a beautiful and practical result.

Lighting can be both functional and an art piece in its own right. Statement fixtures – such as sculptural chandeliers, artful pendants, or intricate wall sconces – allow you to make an impact while also illuminating the space. Decorative lighting, when carefully chosen, adds elegance and sophistication, functioning as both light and a design feature. I am forever searching for new designs of interesting light fixtures. Recently I have resorted increasingly to sourcing vintage lights as I can be sure to find some really unique, unusual pieces which are often like works of art and can be a nice talking point for clients, especially when we go jointly to markets or vintage stores to hunt for treasure.

Chandeliers, table lamps and wall lights are options for decorative lighting with which you can add personality and style to your space, turning practical illumination into a design statement. All of the images below are vintage lights which I found over time while the project was developing. We have also re-used clients existing lights and repaired with our workshop contacts, we have rewired for modern LED fittings, made new lampshades and regilded metal work to add a fresh sparkle. What I love about these pieces is that they have a story to tell, and they get a new life, I take immense pleasure from these remodellings.

Natural light is a gift, and wherever possible, it should be used to its fullest. Large windows, skylights, and glass doors let in natural light, which has the benefit of changing throughout the day, bringing a dynamic feel to your space. However, natural light doesn’t always reach every part of a room, so it’s essential to complement it with artificial lighting for a consistent, well-lit environment.

We often recommend positioning mirrors across from windows to bounce natural light deeper into the room. Pairing artificial light sources with natural light creates balance and ensures that your space is well-lit at all times, regardless of the weather or time of day.

For spaces where you want light to feel seamless and unobtrusive, wall washers and recessed lighting are ideal. Wall washers create an even, indirect glow by casting light down the walls, illuminating the room softly without visible fixtures. This technique is perfect for minimalist spaces or for highlighting textured walls.

Recessed lighting, on the other hand, provides a clean and streamlined look, particularly useful in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. When installed strategically, it ensures consistent brightness without cluttering the visual space. Both wall washers and recessed lights add elegance, creating an understated yet highly effective lighting scheme.

And there you have it – a masterclass in lighting schemes for a perfectly illuminated home! And remember, lighting isn’t just about practicality – it’s about setting the mood, showcasing your style, and, let’s be honest, saving you from tripping over the dog in the dark. If you seek more than only my advice, namely my help, book a free discovery call on our website to get this exciting journey started. After all, life’s too short for bad lighting and stubbed toes.

Stay inspired, stay sophisticated