6 Common Lighting Design Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Lighting can make or break a space. Still, it’s one of the most overlooked elements in both homes and offices.

From harsh overhead glare to dim corners that make tasks harder, the most common lighting design mistakes affect comfort, energy efficiency, productivity, and safety.

This post explains six specific mistakes in lighting design and how to fix each one with practical, functional solutions. Whether you're planning a renovation or correcting past issues, these tips will help you create a space that looks good and works better.

What You'll Learn:

How to fix over-lit or under-lit rooms
What color temperature to use in each space
Where to place fixtures for balanced light
Why smart controls matter for cost and mood
How to plan lighting that’s easy to maintain
When to ditch cookie-cutter plans and go custom

Let’s start with why so many well-meaning designs still fall short.

Why Lighting Design Errors Are So Common

Lighting design errors are common because lighting is rarely planned around how people actually use the space. When lighting is rushed or treated as an afterthought, the result is poor comfort, wasted energy, and frustrating user experience.

Here are the key reasons these mistakes keep happening:

1. No early planning or lighting brief

By the time lighting is discussed, most design decisions are already made. Without a lighting plan, poor placement and wrong fixture choices are almost guaranteed.

2. Choosing form over function

Fixtures are often picked for how they look, not how they perform. This leads to spaces that appear stylish but feel uncomfortable or impractical.

3. Ignoring how spaces will be used

A kitchen, conference room, or bedroom each has different needs throughout the day. Without planning for these use cases, lighting ends up being too harsh or too dim.

4. Overlooking task lighting

Relying solely on ceiling lights creates dark zones and eye strain. Proper task lighting is critical for areas like desks, countertops, and mirrors.

These common oversights add up to lighting that looks good on paper but fails in practice.

Let’s look at the most frequent lighting design mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Over-lighting or Under-lighting

One of the most common lighting design mistakes is getting the brightness wrong.

Spaces often end up either too bright and harsh or too dim and shadowy. This happens when lighting is chosen without considering the room’s layout, natural light sources, or the tasks people do in that space.

Over-lighting leads to glare, visual fatigue, and wasted energy. It makes a space feel sterile and uncomfortable, especially in offices or retail environments where people spend long hours.

Under-lighting, on the other hand, makes it hard to focus, move around safely, or complete detailed tasks. This is especially common in kitchens, bathrooms, and work zones where task lighting is either missing or poorly placed

1. What causes over-lighting or under-lighting?

Relying only on overhead fixtures without layering
Installing too few or too many light points
Choosing bulbs with inappropriate lumen output
Skipping dimmers or lighting zones for flexibility

2. How to fix over-lighting or under-lighting

Use layered lighting: combine ambient, task, and accent sources
Zone the space to give different areas the right level of light
Add dimmers to control intensity throughout the day
Match brightness (measured in lumens) to the purpose of the room

3. Examples of over-lighting or under-lighting

Over-lit retail stores can feel sterile and cause glare. Use accent lighting to highlight products instead of flooding the whole area.
Under-lit kitchens make food prep difficult. Add under-cabinet task lights to brighten counters.
Dimly lit home offices cause eye strain and fatigue. Combine overhead lighting with an adjustable desk lamp for better focus.

To avoid these extremes, it helps to understand how each lighting type contributes to overall balance. Learn more in our light layering guide here.

Mistake #2 – Ignoring Color Temperature & CRI

Ignoring color temperature and CRI is one of the most overlooked lighting design mistakes.
Brightness alone doesn’t define good lighting. The warmth, tone, and quality of light can completely shift how a space feels, functions, and is perceived.

Color temperature affects the emotional tone of a room. Cooler lights can energize or sharpen focus, while warmer lights create a calming, welcoming atmosphere.

CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects. Low CRI lighting can make skin tones look off, products appear dull, and interiors feel flat—even if the brightness is right.

When color temperature or CRI is mismatched to the room's function, the result is discomfort, visual confusion, or distorted colors.

1. What causes problems with color temperature and CRI?

Using cold, bluish lights in cozy spaces like living rooms or cafes
Choosing warm lights where crisp visibility is needed, like offices or kitchens
Installing bulbs with low CRI (Color Rendering Index) that distort how colors appear
Not matching light color to the purpose or mood of the space

2. How to fix color temperature and CRI issues

Choose warm white (2700K–3000K) for bedrooms and living areas
Use neutral to cool white (3500K–5000K) for task-heavy areas like workspaces and kitchens
For accurate color, especially in retail or galleries, choose CRI 90 or above
Keep color temperature consistent across open-plan spaces to avoid visual discomfort

3. Examples of poor lighting choices

Retail stores with low CRI lighting make products look dull or off-color
Bedrooms with overly cool white lights feel harsh and uninviting
Dining areas lit with mismatched bulbs create uneven tones and awkward mood

Color temperature and CRI affect not just how a space looks, but how people feel in it. Explore how color temperature shapes mood and design

Mistake #3 – Poor Fixture Placement

Poor fixture placement is one of the most common lighting design mistakes in both homes and commercial spaces.

Even high-quality lights can fail if they’re installed in the wrong spot. Misplaced fixtures create glare, harsh shadows, and uneven coverage that make a space harder to use and less comfortable to be in.

1. What causes poor lighting placement?

Installing fixtures without considering room layout or furniture
Placing lights directly above reflective surfaces or screens
Ignoring ceiling height, wall texture, and angles
Using too few fixtures in large or irregular spaces

2. How to fix poor fixture placement

Map out where light is actually needed before installing fixtures
Place task lights where activities happen — desks, counters, mirrors
Use indirect lighting (e.g., wall washers or cove lights) to reduce glare
Match fixture type and beam angle to ceiling height and room shape

3. Examples of poor lighting placement

Downlights over beds cast shadows on faces when reading — use wall-mounted lights instead
Office lights placed behind screens create glare and eye strain — position lighting to the sides
Kitchen island lights that are too high or wide-spaced leave the workspace dim — use pendants with focused beams

Good placement is about lighting the task, not just the room. A little planning goes a long way in creating usable, comfortable light. Learn more in our guide to lighting design project planning here.

Mistake #4 – No Smart Controls or Dimming

Lack of lighting control is a major lighting design mistake that affects both comfort and efficiency.

Lighting isn’t just about how bright a room is. It’s about when, where, and how that brightness is adjusted throughout the day. Without smart controls or dimmers, even a well-designed lighting layout can feel harsh, waste electricity, or limit usability.

1. What causes the lack of smart controls or dimming?

Sticking to basic on/off switches
Overlooking the need for lighting flexibility in shared or multi-use spaces
Not integrating automation during renovation or build
Budget constraints that cut lighting controls from the plan

2. How to fix the lack of lighting control

Install dimmers to adjust brightness for different times of day or activities
Use motion sensors in hallways, storerooms, and bathrooms to save energy
Add daylight sensors near windows to balance natural and artificial light
Consider a smart lighting system that allows scene settings and remote control

3. Examples of poor control setups

Conference rooms with only full-brightness settings make presentations uncomfortable — install dimmers or scene presets
Retail stores lit at full brightness even at night waste electricity — motion sensors can cut energy use significantly
Homes with no bedroom dimmers force people to use overly bright light before bed — disrupting sleep quality

Smart lighting controls improve comfort, reduce energy use, and make spaces easier to live or work in. Learn how smart lighting fits into energy-saving lighting design here.

Mistake #5 – Not Considering Maintenance

One of the most overlooked lighting design mistakes is failing to plan for long-term maintenance.

Lighting design doesn’t stop at installation. If fixtures are difficult to reach, replace, or clean, the system becomes costly and inconvenient to manage over time.

1. What causes maintenance problems in lighting design?

Using fixtures that are hard to access, especially in high ceilings
Choosing bulbs with short lifespans or poor energy efficiency
Ignoring how often lights need cleaning or replacement
Installing fixtures in tight or enclosed areas without planning for service access

2. How to fix lighting maintenance issues

Choose long-lasting LEDs to reduce replacement frequency
Use modular fixtures that are easy to service or upgrade
Plan for maintenance access during design — ladders, lifts, or drop panels
Install centralized control systems to monitor lighting status and identify faults early

3. Examples of hard-to-maintain lighting

Atrium chandeliers that require scaffolding for bulb replacement — switch to LED and reduce fixture complexity
Outdoor signage lighting without protective housing deteriorates quickly — use IP-rated fixtures
Retail or office ceiling grids with fixed panels that make servicing lights slow and disruptive

Lighting systems should be designed for long-term performance, not just aesthetics. For more on lighting maintenance, read our guide to lighting maintenance best practices

Mistake #6: One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Applying the same lighting design across every space is a common mistake that reduces both performance and comfort.

Not all rooms or buildings have the same function. When lighting is chosen without considering specific use cases, the result is energy waste, poor usability, and a lack of atmosphere.

1. What causes one-size-fits-all lighting design?

Using the same fixture type and color temperature in every room
Skipping room-by-room lighting planning
Prioritizing bulk purchasing or aesthetics over actual use
Failing to consider occupant needs or how the space will evolve over time

2. How to fix generic lighting plans

Tailor lighting to room function, size, and activity
Use different lighting layers and control options depending on the space
Conduct a lighting audit or create a detailed lighting brief before selecting fixtures
In commercial settings, involve facility managers or tenants in the planning process

3. Examples of one-size-fits-all lighting mistakes

Hotel rooms using cold white light throughout feel impersonal. Warmer lighting improves comfort.
Open-plan offices lit uniformly create glare and hot spots. Zoning and dimming improve usability.
Residential homes using only downlights in every room miss opportunities for mood and depth. Add wall lights, lamps, and cove lighting for variety.

Each room has a specific purpose. Lighting should support that purpose, not follow a one-size template. For tailored advice by space, explore our guide to lighting design by room type.

How to Avoid These Mistakes in Your Project

Most lighting design mistakes happen early, when decisions are made without a clear plan.
Whether you're renovating or starting fresh, the key is to be intentional from the beginning.

Get expert input early

Involve a lighting designer during the planning phase, not just at the end.

A professional can help you avoid layout errors, select the right fixtures, and balance function with aesthetics.

If you're unsure where to begin, our team offers tailored lighting design services that align with your space, goals, and budget.

Learn more about our professional lighting design services here.

Use a lighting brief or conduct an audit

Create a simple lighting brief that outlines each room’s purpose, lighting needs, mood, and control options.

For existing spaces, start with a lighting audit to identify weak spots.

Prioritize sustainability and adaptability

Select LED fixtures that offer long lifespans and low energy use.

Use dimmers, sensors, and smart systems to improve flexibility and reduce waste.

Choose lighting solutions that can evolve with your needs over time.

Making lighting a priority from day one leads to better performance, lower costs, and a more comfortable environment. Learn how to calculate the ROI of sustainable lighting design here.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding Common Lighting Design Mistakes

Most lighting design mistakes are preventable with the right plan and expert guidance.
By thinking ahead, you can create lighting that improves how your space looks, feels, and performs—while saving on long-term costs.

Whether you're designing a home, office, or commercial building, lighting isn't just a finishing touch.
It’s a critical part of how a space works.

If you're ready to avoid costly errors and design lighting that fits your goals, we're here to help.

Design smarter lighting from the start

Avoid costly mistakes with expert help tailored to your space, goals, and budget.

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