Southern California

How a Lighting Designer Delivers Optimal Lighting 

If you're struggling with constant glare or underlit spaces, it's likely due to poor lighting design. Not all homes are the same, yet many take the same lighting approach. The result is the same mistakes repeated across properties. In time, these issues affect the usability of your home and your overall well-being. Explore some common problems we see in homes throughout Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and how lighting designers resolve them. 

SEE MORE: Garden & Landscape Lighting Tips from a Lighting Designer 

Misplaced Recessed Lighting 

Ceiling recessed lights are the most common fixtures in homes, so it's no surprise they cause the biggest issues. We want to highlight two main ones. The first is fixtures aimed directly at the floor, so you end up with a well-lit floor but shadows at eye level (when looking at bookcases, while cooking, etc.). 

The other mistake is fixtures installed at set intervals. This looks great from a general design perspective, but it's not always functional. For example, in kitchens, lights don't match up with cabinets, so they end up poorly illuminated. 

The solutions are pretty straightforward: aim lights at an angle and consider the room's use case when placing lights to align them with cabinets, tables, etc. 

Lack of Task Lighting 

Another common mistake is a strong dependence on recessed fixtures. Even when installed correctly, they're not enough for everyday activities. Especially in areas like offices, kitchens, and bathrooms, these lights offer general illumination but fall short for specific tasks. 

Lighting design is all about layered lighting. On top of the ambient lighting from overhead fixtures, you need task lighting to help you throughout the day. These include undercabinet lights in the kitchen, linear lighting strips in the bathroom, and wall scones by your office table. 

Are you experiencing lighting woes? Don't settle for subpar solutions. Call us or fill out our contact form today for a brighter, better home.