After supplying lighting for over fifty residential projects, we have seen the same mistakes repeated.
One: relying on a single ceiling light per room. Layer your lighting: ambient, task, and accent.
Two: choosing the wrong colour temperature. Warm white (2700K to 3000K) creates a relaxed atmosphere. Cool white (above 4000K) feels clinical.
Three: ignoring dimmers. Every ceiling light circuit in a living space should be dimmable.
Four: buying fixtures before planning the layout. Plan the lighting layout after the furniture layout is confirmed.
Five: forgetting outdoor lighting. Choose IP65-rated fixtures for outdoor use.
These notes are part of the studio archive: small observations that help us return to the discipline of looking before deciding.