8 Lighting Mistakes Interior Designers Avoid

We hate to break this to you... But despite popular belief, chopped cushions on the sofa don’t qualify you as an interior designer. Searchlight Electric... Where hard truths are shared.  

Jokes aside, we can all appreciate that interior design is far more than just dressing a room nicely. It’s building a room fit for business, considering proportions and scale, selecting complementary materials, ensuring everything abides by building codes and is safe. And then there’s lighting.  

Here’s the thing: lighting can very easily make or break a space. It’s often the unsung hero when it comes to tying a room together. Thankfully, interior designers are completely aware of this, as well as the lighting mistakes to avoid.   

Ever been in a room that gives you an instant headache, or you just can’t get cosy in? Well, that’s the result of poor lighting design. 

We’re not here to gatekeep anything. So here are 8 lighting mistakes interior designers avoid like the plague.  

8 Lighting Mistakes Interior Designers Avoid 

1. Relying On Just One Source Of Light 

One ceiling light can’t do all the work on its own. No matter how grand or captivating it is.  

When it comes to creating dimension, mood, atmosphere, emphasising textures, highlighting functionality or key design elements, you need layers. Think less ‘solo violinist’ and more the whole orchestra. 

Here's a table to show you the 3 layers of lighting and the functions of each type of fixture. *It’s worth noting that the same fixture type can serve different purposes; these are just the most common classifications.  

2. Picking Your Lights Last 

For a lot of people, picking out lights is at the bottom of the pecking order. Sofas, TV units, dining room tables, even rugs are considered more of a priority. 

We try not to take it personally. Especially because designers do the opposite. 

Lighting is considered early doors because it impacts how every aspect of a room is experienced.  

3. Forgetting About Corners  

We touched on this in our last blog (Lighting Layout Tips From Designers), but don’t forget about illuminating the corners of your room. 

Repeat after us: Dark corners shrink rooms! 

Popping a table lamp on a shelf, or a striking floor lamp in the corner, will bring life back to a room.  

Take the Hexagon 1Lt Table Lamp for example. Its sleek and modern design will not overpower a contemporary interior, and its chrome glass finish projects a fun, geometric shape onto the nearby surfaces.  

4. Using The Wrong Bulb Temperature 

Cold lighting is intended to promote alertness and focus, so if you’re kitting out an office space, hospital ward, or classroom, it’s the go-to. 

On the other hand, warm lights create a softer, more welcoming atmosphere, perfect for homes or restaurants. 

5. Hanging Pendants Too High  

If you’re going to make a statement with a stunning ceiling pendant, don’t be afraid to hang it lower.  

A pendant that’s hung too high can look awkward and appear disconnected from the room below. 

Here’s a rough guide on how to make a statement with your ceiling lights: 

6. Ignoring Scale  

Interior designers consider proportions in every part of design. Small fittings will disappear in a room, while oversized fittings in a small room can overwhelm the space. 

Scale is key. It takes a room from looking ‘nice’ to looking professionally finished. 

Say you’re looking for the perfect light for a dining room. A statement fitting over the table could completely elevate the space, but it needs to be scaled to fit. Picture the Woody 4Lt Bar Pendant over a long rectangular dining room table.  

7. Over-Lighting 

We know we’ve talked about layering your lights and lighting the corners, but be careful to not over-light everything. 

Interior designers aren’t afraid of a bit of contrast, so you shouldn’t be either. Some of the most atmospheric designs deliberately create shadows. This helps your illuminated areas stand out. 

8. Treating Every Room The Same 

You don’t want a bedroom to feel like a shopping aisle. 

A kitchen to feel like an office. 

A living room to feel like a hospital ward.  

Interior designers adjust their lighting plan based on the functions of the space. It’s not a one-formula-fits-all. 

The Key Takeaway 

If there’s one thing you take away from this article, we want it to be this: Lighting isn’t the finishing touch. It’s part of the foundation.  

Let your interior shine (quite literally).  

Avoid these mistakes, and you can get a brand-new perspective on how a space is meant to feel.  

Throughout this blog, we have mentioned some products that are available for wholesale on the Searchlight website now. Browse our range of in-house designed decorative pieces, as well as lights from Project and Lux & Belle.  

Interested in registering for a trade account? Contact our team today for access to our high-quality wholesale lighting products.