Lighting in interior design: a practical guide

Light changes how a room feels even more than wall colour does. It should be planned alongside the layout and electrical design rather than added at the end.

Three layers of light

• Ambient — fills the room evenly: recessed and surface fixtures, linear systems, chandeliers.
• Task — where precision matters: kitchen worktops, desks, mirrors.
• Accent — highlights niches, artwork and textured walls, adding depth and mood.

Colour temperature

Living spaces usually get warm white at 2700–3000 K, kitchens and work areas neutral white at 3500–4000 K. Avoid mixing different temperatures within the same view.

Track and magnetic systems

If the furniture layout may change, track and magnetic systems let you move or add fixtures without new wiring.