DIY Home Lighting Design and Planning for Your Home's Interior Designs

Designing for interiors is a balance of all elements.

I believe that lighting is the one element that can make or break an interior design.

Lighting is the one element that can be altered, even after the floor coverings are down and the paint is dry.

With a little clever and thoughtful planning, your room can be versatile with different effects and moods able to be created.

Planning the Room (Designing Home Lighting)
Initially you will need to measure the room and draw a very basic layout of where items are to go, including furniture, drapery, windows, artwork, feature walls, audiovisual equipment and the seating arrangement.

These are all areas that can be a feature or focus of light or light source and should be treated with that in mind.





A directional halogen downlight illuminates the picture grouping.



From left uplight and down light at bookcase, a picture light over the picture, a low pendant over the desk, a freestanding lamp behind the desk, and freestanding uplight lighting the ceiling behind the chair, a directional spotlight lighting the plant.


Of course, this is easy if planning from scratch, but a lot more difficult if you a trying to enhance an existing room as you already have hardwired lights. If the room's layout can be altered, then try to use a flexible lighting system.

For example in a living room or family room the furniture positions can easily change therefore its probable that flexible task lighting will be required as well as the overall lighting system.


The interior decoration of the room is also prominent in your choice of lighting. Remember dark flooring and walls soak up light. Polished surfaces often create glare, light colored walls and floors reflect it.