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

Part 3: The Practical Pitfalls

Sometimes the biggest lighting mistakes aren’t about fixtures or aesthetics at all — they’re about when and how lighting decisions get made. Here are three pitfalls we see far too often on projects (and how to sidestep them).

Mistake 7: Calling the Lighting Designer Too Late

We often get called when the false ceiling is already built and the electrical conduits are in place. At that point, the options shrink to “fit what we can” instead of “design what works best.” Retrofits are messy, compromise-heavy, and more expensive than just planning ahead.

How to dodge it: Bring the lighting designer in at concept stage, alongside architecture and interiors. That’s when real integration (and magic) happens.

Mistake 8: No Control Systems

We still see projects where the only lighting control is a bank of switches: “on” or “off.” The result? Spaces that can’t shift mood between day and night, casual and formal, quiet and lively.

How to dodge it: Even basic dimming can transform usability. For restaurants and homes, scene-setting systems add flexibility. For offices, daylight sensors save energy. Controls don’t have to be expensive — they just need to be thought through.

Mistake 9: Ignoring Maintenance & Longevity

Cheap fixtures look tempting on paper, but when drivers fail or LEDs fade unevenly, the client ends up with a patchwork ceiling and a maintenance nightmare. We’ve seen projects where half the fittings were replaced within a year — not a great look for anyone.

How to dodge it: Specify quality fixtures and think about access for maintenance. A fixture you can’t reach is a fixture that won’t last. Longevity = less headache for everyone involved.

💡 Pro-tip takeaway: Planning lighting isn’t just about the opening day photoshoot — it’s about making sure the space performs beautifully for years to come.

Field Story

We once worked on a luxury apartment where the builder insisted on “just basic lights” to save budget. Within six months, the clients were calling because half the fixtures flickered like disco strobes. The irony? They ended up spending double to rip everything out and redo it properly. If only they had invested in the right fixtures from the start, they’d have saved money and stress.