Why Lighting is the Secret Ingredient to Functional & Beautiful Design
Lighting is not an afterthought to interiors, it's a foundation.
It determines whether or not a space will feel flat or layered, functional or atmospheric. Good lighting never announces itself, yet it informs every experience you'll have in a room.
At Koto Designs, I consider light as being part of the overall interior: combined with layout, colour, and material so that it discreetly serves both function and atmosphere.
The Role of Lighting in Interior Design
A room can be beautifully finished, but without the right lighting it will fail. Good interior design considers not only how a space looks, but how it will function under different lighting conditions.
Considered lighting sets hierarchy, directs attention, and defines the usability of a space. A kitchen without focused task lighting is frustrating to cook in. A bedroom with a poorly selected lamp can feel harsh instead of relaxing and restful. Lighting can determine how well interiors actually work, day and night.
The Three Types of Lighting
Most interiors rely on a mix of three types of lighting, ambient, task, and accent.
Ambient lighting – General wash of light that makes a space usable. Often from ceiling fixtures or natural light.
Task lighting – Directional light for tasks, i.e. pendants over a kitchen bench, a reading light, or direct lights in a study.
Accent lighting – Creates depth and layered ambiance: wall sconces, floor lamp in a dark corner, or LED tape to highlight joinery.
The issue is not with one type over another, but when a room is designed around only one layer by itself. That's when interior spaces feel either over-lit, sterile, flat, dark, or impractical.
How Lighting Impacts Mood and Atmosphere
Light influences how we feel. Warm tones create comfort, coziness and relaxation, and cooler whites promote alertness and focus. Dimmable lighting and fixtures allow a single room to flex between different needs and functions.
A dining space, for example, might need bright overhead lighting for homework or family board games. Yet dimming those same pendants instantly shifts the room into an atmosphere suited to cozy ambient family dinners, evening conversation, or a romantic meal together. Similarly, warm bedside lamps encourage rest, while a brighter, neutral light at a desk supports concentration.
When lighting is considered and intentional, interiors adapt to the rhythm of daily life.
Mood is not a matter of whether a light is warm or cool, but a matter of how that choice reinforces the activity and timing of the space. In living rooms, for example, ceiling down-lights paired with floor lamps allow for a shift between lively gatherings and quiet nights in. Bathrooms often need contrast: bright, focused light at mirrors for daily routines, with softer, indirect light that offers a relaxing mood when the space is being used for unwinding. Even entryways and halls benefit from considered lighting. A single overhead fixture can be glaring, but a pair of wall sconces creates rhythm and a sense of welcome the moment you come through the door.
Mood and Atmosphere: The Psychology of Interior Lighting
The psychology of light plays a role here too. Cool white light cues alertness and focus, which is why it belongs in workspaces or kitchens where activity is high. In bedrooms, the same light can disrupt rest by delaying the body’s natural sleep cycle. Warm, indirect light encourages the opposite: slower pace, softer conversation, and an intuitive signal that it is time to unwind. Think of the warm light of a sunset or glowing light of a fire at night.
Common Mistakes in Residential Lighting
The most common mistake I see is the use of only "the big light", usually ceiling lights or downlights. They are practical but offer no atmosphere. A room can be lit without lamps or accent lighting, but it will be one-dimensional and often feel hash and uncomfortable.
Other pitfalls include:
Not including dimmers, which allow for versatility.
Choosing pendants that are out of proportion to the room.
Using cool, blue-toned light in rooms where you want to relax.
These issues aren't the outcome of having the "wrong" fittings, they're an issue of imbalance. Excellent lighting is layered, versatile, and tailored to how a space is actually used.
Residential Lighting Tips You Can Apply Now
Not every improvement requires a full lighting plan. Small, thoughtful adjustments can transform the way a room feels:
Swap a harsh globe for a warm-white LED.
Add a floor or table lamp to soften a corner.
Use task lighting over a kitchen bench-top to reduce eye strain.
Position a reading chair near natural light.
Mix ceiling fixtures with lamps in living spaces for atmosphere and versatility.
These simple adjustments bring comfort and atmosphere without major work.
Commercial Lighting: Balancing Atmosphere and Function
For businesses and commercial spaces, lighting plays a dual role: it must support the work being done, and it must create the right atmosphere for clients or customers. The balance differs by industry and the business’ specific needs.
For example:Hospitality – Bars, cafes and restaurants rely on atmosphere. Warm, layered lighting makes people linger, and feature pendants or sconces can help create brand identity. Areas that are stark or too bright rarely make for memorable dining or a vibe that people want to spend time in.
Studios and Clinics – Businesses that are beauty or wellness-related require task lighting for precision, but must also be professional and relaxing. The perfect scheme is a combination of clarity and softness, bright enough for accuracy, but layered enough to reduce glare and help clients relax.
Workspaces – Studios, offices, or workshops depend on circulation and task zoning and clarity. Effective layouts blend open, general lighting with focused areas, preventing fatigue and supporting productivity.
Each sector comes with its own priorities, but the goal is the same: lighting that supports the work being done while shaping the right atmosphere. Commercial lighting is not one formula, it's a question of matching light to purpose: getting an environment to work for employees, while also affecting how clients view the space.
Lighting Design vs. Interior Design: Where I Work
Specialist lighting designers focus deeply on technical planning from detailed lux calculations to specifying fittings across large-scale projects. My role, as an interior designer, is different but complementary.
I often develop lighting layouts and consider lux levels in the context of daily use. My focus is on how lighting integrates with proportion, materials, and circulation. In practice, this means ensuring that fittings are placed where they support function, and that light quality enhances the overall design.
I collaborate with lighting suppliers and electricians when required, but always with the goal of making the lighting scheme feel cohesive with the interior.
The Quiet Backbone of Excellent Interiors
Lighting is the unsung workhorse of design. It doesn't demand attention, yet it defines how a space works and what it's like to live in. A thoughtful lighting scheme provides a home with a sense of consideration, calm, and versatility long after the furniture is in place.
If you're renovating or building in Perth, and you want interiors that balance ambiance and function, I'd love to work with you. At Koto Designs, I create interiors where lighting works in harmony with layout, materials, and rhythm; spaces that are beautiful because they work beautifully.
