Light Planning

LIGHT PLANNING

It’s easy to get so caught up in choosing wallpapers, picking furniture and selecting skirting that you don’t consider lighting in a new build or renovation until the last minute. Wrapping your head around the nuances of light fixtures, understanding their proper placement and crafting a lighting plan to fit a room’s mood can be a daunting process - But Lightplan are here to take the burden off your shoulders.


Whatever your construction or renovation project, our expert lighting designers are here to help you choose the right lighting for every room and the right fixture for every purpose.


HOW DO WE APPROACH LIGHT PLANNING?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but considerations can be made based on the room you’re planning for.

LIVING ROOMS

From unwinding after a long day’s work to entertaining guests, the living room is the centrepiece of any home. To achieve the perfect lighting for this versatile space, we focus on creating an inviting atmosphere using:

  • Diffused lighting solutions with soft, shaded bulbs
  • Wall or floor focal points such as coffee tables or pieces of art
  • Warmer colour temperatures, scientifically proven to put the mind at ease
  • Considering practical requirements such as reading nooks or seating arrangements

 

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DINING ROOMS

While dining rooms are for spaces for relaxation and entertainment, their functional purpose adds an extra layer of complexity to lighting design. Our team's light planning accounts for this by:

  • Selecting discreet or centrepiece lighting for the dining table, depending on your tastes and existing designs
  • Incorporating ambient lighting to create a gentle wash of warm light throughout the room which complements the dining room’s fixture
  • Choosing shades, diffusers or frosted bulbs to reduce glare and soften light, which is especially important for overhead dining lighting
  • Considering natural light that enters the dining room during the day and complementing this wherever possible

 

BATHROOMS

Creating a well-thought-out lighting plan for a bathroom involves more than just choosing fixtures: it’s a balancing act of functionality, safety and aesthetics working in tandem to create an inviting yet practical space. Lightplan strikes this balance by:

  • Focusing on task lighting, particularly around areas where precise tasks are performed such as shaving, applying makeup or brushing teeth
  • Selecting fixtures that have both high lumens for task lighting and high IP ratings to withstand constant moisture
  • Strategically placing ambient lighting such as ceiling fixtures or recessed lights to make the room feel bright and open
  • Accounting for the colour, texture and material of your walls to accentuate features and create the illusion of extra space

 

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BEDROOMS

The bedroom is a unique space, not only because it’s dedicated to helping us unwind but also because we spend a significant portion of our lives there - about a third, in fact! Creating an ambience conducive to relaxation and sleep is therefore essential, and Lightplan achieves this by:

  • Layering light, with a foundational amount of ambient light complemented by decorative fixtures and task lighting for the bedside table (or desk, if your bedroom doubles as a workspace)
  • Incorporating discreet functional lighting into wardrobes so as to remain unobstructive while providing task lighting when selected clothes or getting dressed
  • Selecting fixtures with lumens appropriate for the size of your bedroom, optimising the distribution of light
  • Considering the placement of elegant accent lights such as LED strips under the bed or around mirrors

 

HALLWAYS

The hallway is the gateway to your home, setting the first impressions for guests and establishing the tone for the rest of your space. Thoughtfully planned lighting can transform these transitional areas, making them stylish, inviting and functional all at the same time:

  • With limited space, flush or semi-flush ceiling lights can provide ample illumination without being obstructive or overwhelming
  • Accounting for mirrors or other reflective features can make hallways feel larger, amplifying the brightness and creating a sense of openness
  • Considering the spacing of fixtures ensures the floor and walls are evenly illuminated, without casting shadows that could make the hallway feel smaller or more confined
  • Creating a focal point, be it a piece of wall art or a ceiling light serves to draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of a greater space

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EXTERIOR

Whether you’re focusing on pathways, driveways, gardens or porches, a well-thought out lighting plan can significantly improve the curb appeal of your property. Informed by dozens of lighting projects, Lightplan makes the most of your outdoors by:

  • Illuminating footpaths, parking and garden spaces to ensure both safe navigation and enhanced visibility, preventing accidents and making your outdoors more inviting
  • Adding a touch of charm and warmth to your entryways with outdoor pendant lighting, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests
  • Using accent lighting to highlight key features of your landscape such as uplighting for trees, downlighting for shrubs and spotlights for sculptures
  • Incorporating motion sensors and solar activation to provide illumination and highlighting only when required, saving on overall energy costs

 

INSTALLATION IS LIGHT WORK

We might be called Lightplan, but our services go far beyond the planning stage.

To ensure a seamless installation process, we’re more than happy to locate and recommend a qualified electrician in your area with experience in lighting installations.

Already have somebody on hand? Your Lightplan designer would be more than happy to turn up on the day of the installation to provide guidance and discuss the finer details with your electrician - it’d be a shame if something was lost in translation!

Once the electrician has done their part and signed off on the installation, your designer will conduct a final inspection to verify the lighting has been installed according to specification. 

 


LOOKING TO START YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

Whether you are just putting together some ideas, need a professional eye to look over your existing design or have a crystal-clear vision you want to bring to life, we're here to help. Our free site visits and flexibility ensures that we can work with whatever floor plans or schematics you have to hand. Get started today by getting in touch at 0208 342 7009 or projects@lightplan.co.uk, or complete our Contact Form to arrange a call back.