Let There Be Light: Why Lighting Is the Unsung Hero of Good Design

24 June 2025

Daniel Lewis, our Design Director brings both his expertise in both lighting and photography to the creative process and is at the heart of all our design influences. Treating all interior and exterior spaces as a work of art, giving different ambient emotional connections throughout.

When we think about interior or exterior design, it’s natural for our minds to first jump to colour palettes, furniture, or architectural features. But time and again, I find the single most underestimated yet transformative element in a space is light. Light is not merely functional—it’s emotional. It creates atmosphere, dictates how we interact with our surroundings, and gives texture to even the most minimal design.

At Arbour & Vale, we consider lighting to be just as integral to a project as layout or materials. A room can be beautifully furnished and exquisitely decorated, but if the lighting is off, the entire space will fall flat. Conversely, the right lighting can elevate a simple space into something extraordinary.

The Dance Between Natural and Artificial Light

Every room tells a different story depending on the time of day, and light is the narrator. We always begin by understanding how natural light moves through a space. South-facing rooms bathe in warm daylight for most of the day, while north-facing ones may need extra consideration to avoid feeling cold or muted. But it’s not just about brightness—it’s about tone and mood.

Artificial lighting must work with natural light, not against it. Poorly placed or overly cool lighting can jar against a soft morning glow, just as a lack of ambient lighting can make dusk feel oppressive. One of the most overlooked challenges in residential design is creating lighting schemes that shift with the mood of the day. A kitchen that buzzes with energy at breakfast should be able to exhale come evening.

Colours: Now You See Them, Now You Don’t

Lighting doesn’t just illuminate a space—it redefines it. A wall painted in what appears to be a soft chalky white at midday can turn grey or even greenish under cooler evening light. Likewise, deep, moody tones that feel cocooning at night may appear flat or overbearing in full daylight.

This is why we test colours under different light conditions before finalising palettes. We also encourage clients not to rush these decisions. Live with a sample swatch for a few days. Observe it in the morning, at noon, and again as evening settles in. You might be surprised by what you see—or don’t.

The Power of Purpose

Lighting must be led by truth—by how you actually use a space. If your dining table only ever hosts dinner parties twice a year, then you don’t need a show-stopping pendant that stays unlit 90% of the time. If you do most of your reading in bed, prioritise well-placed wall lights or adjustable bedside lamps over a statement floor light in the sitting room. Lighting should reflect real life, not imagined habits.

We often conduct what we call a “lifestyle lighting audit” with clients. It’s a conversation about how you really live. Do you wind down in the bath or with a podcast on the sofa? Do the children use the kitchen island to do homework in the evenings? Do you love entertaining, or is the dining room more of a design feature than a practical hub? When you’re honest about usage, we can design lighting that supports your habits, not just your aesthetic preferences.

Accentuating Art and Architectural Features

Lighting also has a storytelling function. It allows us to direct attention—to highlight a treasured artwork, to bring subtle drama to a beautiful ceiling rose, or to make a textured wall sing. These are the “layers” of lighting that make a space feel considered.

Accent lighting, when done well, disappears in plain sight. It’s not about the light fitting—it’s about what the light is doing. A softly lit sculpture in a hallway or an uplight casting shadow on a garden urn can feel more impactful than any piece of furniture. Light is a curator, drawing our gaze with intention.

Outdoor Spaces: The Theatre of Shadows

Just as interiors benefit from thoughtful illumination, so too do gardens, terraces, and courtyards. Outdoor lighting extends your living space, making it usable year-round and well beyond dusk. It also introduces an element of magic—the way uplights can transform the silhouette of a tree, or how step lights can make a garden path feel like a cinematic entrance.

But again, subtlety is key. Floodlighting a patio may offer visibility, but it strips away nuance. Instead, we advocate for pockets of soft light, layered to create depth and warmth. Think of it less like a football pitch, more like a stage set.

Final Thoughts: Design With Feeling

Lighting is about more than visibility. It’s about experience. At Arbour & Vale, we design with feeling in mind. We ask: What does this space feel like at 7am, or 10pm? Where do you linger? Where do you relax? Where do you want to feel inspired, or soothed? Only once we understand that can we begin to layer light with purpose.

So the next time you’re planning a renovation—or even just rearranging a room—pause and consider the light. Observe how it behaves, how it changes, and how it makes you feel. Because in the end, that’s what design is truly about: creating spaces that reflect and enhance the lives lived within them.