Understanding the Art and Science of Residential Lighting Design

Lighting should be an integral part of home design. Interestingly enough though, it is often an afterthought. Sometimes lighting design is relegated to a line item as an allowance in an overall construction budget. 

Lighting design is both art and science. Established guidelines exist to calculate illumination needs for a given space based on square footage and other considerations. But that aspect may not cover the objectives for the aesthetics or overall feel of a room. You can light it up so there’s plenty of light, but it doesn’t mean it will be right, in much the same way one can fill a room with expensive furnishings but not achieve the goal of a well-designed and sorted space.

Great residential lighting design is both art and science. Read on to learn more about how good lighting design can elevate your Buckhead, GA home. 

SEE ALSO: Make Residential Interiors Shine with Superior Lighting Design

Go Beyond the Allowance

As we mentioned, or as you may be familiar, builders and sometimes architects think of lighting as a percentage of total construction costs. It may be useful to consider from a budget perspective, but an exceptional lighting plan might go well beyond the usual cost estimate. However, that well-considered lighting design may mean the difference between an average space and one that fits your vision of what your home should be. 

Integrate Lighting into Overall Design

The best way to do residential lighting design is with an overall vision of the space. What are the finishes going to be like? What are all the uses for the area? What kind of ambiance do you want to achieve?

While we can't cover the detailed elements of lighting design in the context of this blog, there are some basics to good design. Walls are an excellent place to start. A long wall is likely to ultimately have some art on it. Lighting walls properly is one way lighting designers think about illuminating a space. They start at the perimeters of the room and work inward in the design. Great lighting creates contrasts, with expertly tuned highs and lows – much like hi-fi sound! Part of the art is the balance and integration of those contrasts into something that feels right. 

Architectural lighting tends to be handled by lighting experts, while interior designers deal with decorative lighting. But working as a team can yield better results, as lighting designers can integrate architectural lighting that will work with the interior design vision, highlighting interior details, choosing lighting with the right intensity and beam spread, and designing a plan that will work with the furniture layout rather than clash with it. 

Hire a Professional

GHT Group started as a home theater company, and the HT in our name stands for Home Theater. Home theaters can be DIY affairs or professionally designed and installed entertainment venues. There is a huge difference between an average home theater and one where every last detail is considered and addressed. Lighting design is much the same way. A home theater can give you a big screen and big sound, but without the right equipment, installation, calibration, and tuning, it may not hit your mark. GHT Group does professional home theaters, and we do professional lighting design too. Your lighting should have the same cohesiveness as a great home theater.

Want to learn more about elevating your residence with great lighting design? Call us at (770) 955-8909, contact us here, or use the chat box below to connect with us right away. We look forward to working with you!