Lighting Mistakes We See All the Time (and How to Dodge Them)

Part 2: The Aesthetic Slip-Ups

Lighting isn’t just about visibility — it’s about how a space feels. And this is where things often go sideways. Even beautifully designed interiors can look flat or awkward if the lighting doesn’t play along. Here are three aesthetic traps we see all the time:

Mistake 4: Lights That Fight the Architecture

We’ve seen stunning vaulted ceilings interrupted by chunky fixtures that look like they were bolted on at the last minute. When lights don’t align with the design language, they stick out — literally and figuratively.

How to dodge it: Treat fixtures as part of the architecture. Think integrated coves, hidden channels, or fittings chosen for their form as much as their function. The best compliment is when people say, “The space looks amazing,” not, “That’s a nice light fitting.”

A recent façade lighting project that embraced the ACP fin elements, using them as a design feature rather than working against them

Mistake 5: Flat, One-Tone Lighting

Ever walked into a restaurant where everything is lit the same way, at the same level? No depth, no drama — just… beige. Flat lighting drains life out of textures, colors, and mood.

How to dodge it: Layer it up. Highlight what matters (art, food, faces) and let the rest fade into softness. Use contrast to add rhythm and movement, just like an interior palette mixes materials and tones.

Mistake 6: Highlighting the Wrong Elements

We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve seen downlights perfectly illuminating AC grills, smoke detectors, or curtain tracks — while the actual design features sit in shadow.

How to dodge it: Light guides the eye. Always ask: What do I want people to notice when they walk in? Then direct the light there. A well-lit artwork or textured wall does more than 10 scattered downlights ever could.

💡 Pro-tip takeaway: Lighting is silent design language. Done right, it frames the architecture and interiors so they shine without shouting.

Field Story

On a recent site visit, we saw a bar with gorgeous fluted walls and brass details — but every spotlight was aimed squarely at the floor. The flooring looked magnificent (though it wasn’t meant to), while the brass glowed in darkness. The designer joked, “Well, at least the cleaning staff will love it — the dust is always well-lit!”