Light luxury homes with these interior design tips

When done correctly, a great lighting scheme can be a central element of a luxury interior design -- providing practical illumination whilst creating the desired ambiance and helping modern homeowners transform their spaces for work and pleasure with ease.

With new lighting technology, controls and fixtures hitting the market all the time, the possibilities are truly endless for high-end designers and developers looking to curate an elevated living experience for their clients.

But where to start?

If you’re designing lighting schemes for luxury homes this year, make sure you’re considering these three crucial factors…

Get colour temperature and brightness right

Nowadays, there are a wide range of high-quality LED lighting options that offer superior performance and efficiency compared to traditional halogen bulbs. Still, when working on a luxury home, it’s important to select lighting products that allow users to set the mood for any occasion and at different times of day. 
 
For example, cool-toned lights are ideal when working or cooking, but they can be too harsh and disturb peoples’ circadian rhythms towards the end of the day when warmer, softer alternatives are best for winding down.  
 
If you want the best of both worlds for a high-end interior design, LEDs with colour temperatures that can be adjusted via remote controls are your best bet — enabling homeowners to tweak the tone of their lighting from one multipurpose fixture. 
 
Many LEDs also come with dimmer switches. These devices allow users to adjust lighting intensity at any time — making it easy to change the atmosphere from day to night or during events like dinner parties and social gatherings.  
 
Plus, LEDs boast a low energy consumption, which makes them ideal for the many homeowners looking to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle in 2024 and beyond. 
 
Make the most of smart technology
 
Smart devices, such as thermostats and home assistants, have been all the rage lately — facilitating convenient control over everyday appliances via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Fortunately, you can also reap the benefits of this technology in smart lighting schemes, which bring a whole new meaning to laid-back living. 
  
Automating when lights are switched on and off with sensor-based presence-detecting solutions is a wise idea. Not only do these systems offer more energy savings, but they can also give homeowners one less thing to worry about when getting in from a long, hard day or rushing out the door in a hurry.  
 
There’s also an array of innovative lighting control systems from brands like Crestron and Lutron that allow users to adjust every light in the home with a remote or app. So, designers can eliminate unsightly wall-mounted switches, and busy homeowners can control their lighting even when they’re not in the room (or at home). 
 
And then there are voice-controlled lights. With these systems, there’s no need for homeowners to dip out of meetings, get off the sofa or step away from the party to ensure appropriate illumination when ambient lighting levels change.  
 
Audio-visual solutions offered by companies like ZUMA can even allow users to change the lights and change the music in different ‘zones’ of the house if they just say the word(s)! 
 
Think carefully about lighting placement
 
It’s important to consider where you’ll put the lights in luxury homes to achieve a beautifully balanced scheme that meets the aesthetic and functional requirements of the space. There are some real opportunities to inject style and personality into interior designs here… 
 
For example, pendant lights fixed above key features can provide opulent illumination whilst accentuating beds with statement headboards and impressive kitchen islands — both of which are on trend for 2024. We suggest opting for high-quality rattan shades, smoked glass bulbs and metallic fixtures (brass and pewter are highly sought-after right now) to complement the lighting and add even more grandeur.  
 
Recessed lights and under-cabinet fixtures are another great option for dressing rooms and kitchens, with a more subtle appearance that’s perfect for the current turn towards minimalist interior design.  
 
Alternatively, you could go for a layered lighting scheme — and combine both statement bulbs and hidden fixtures in different areas of the home. This way, you can distinguish between areas like cooking and dining spaces without losing the freedom of an open-plan layout.  
 
Ultimately, there’s a lot to consider when approaching the lights for luxury homes, from bulbs and smart lighting systems to layouts. But nobody needs to go it alone. Trust the interior design experts to help — whether you need inspiration or a helping hand…
 
See a range of displays featuring high-end lighting at the Farnham Furnishers showroom, situated in the heart of a charming Surrey market town, and contact us at 01252 715 000 or [email protected] to learn more.