+ Why do I need a lighting designer?

Light is one of the most powerful design mediums and can completely transform the look and feel of your home and garden. Appointing a lighting designer will mean that you will have a lighting design that brings warmth to your home, makes the best of your architecture, interiors and landscape design and provides appropriate illumination for practical tasks. It also provides you with all the information needed to hand over to your electrician so they can price, supply and install the lighting.

+ What does a lighting designer do?

Lighting design is both and art and a science. A good lighting designer will combine creative ideas with technical knowledge to create imaginative lighting designs that make the most of your budget. Lighting schemes will include a mix of different lighting types which will need to be carefully positioned to get the balance and interplay right for a space. Our lighting designers will bring their knowledge and understanding to create a successful scheme technically as well as aesthetically

+ Why do you need specialist lighting designers?

Lighting is more complicated than most other elements in your interior. Decisions on the quality and quantity of light, colour appearance, dimming characteristic and glare control have to be made. The specification of lighting products needs to into account any site constraints, ceiling and recess depths, appropriate fire rating and IP rating in wet areas.

+ Who do you work with?

We work with clients, architects, interior designers, landscape designers, builders, electrical contractors, electricians and developers to plan beautiful lighting for new homes, refurbishments and to update old lighting schemes.

+ Why is lighting so important?

Lighting is fundamental in how you experience space and architecture. Light plays with our perceptions, influences our mood and experiences and can completely transform a design. Light has the potential to create an atmosphere much more than a piece of furniture or accessory can. It also has the unique capacity to change the look and feel of a space with appropriate control . The lighting within a single space can both create intimate spaces to encourage relaxation or support activity.

+ How much does it cost for you to do a lighting design?

The cost depends on the level of service needed and the complexity of the design. To provide some guidance a full lighting design service for the interior lighting to a four bedroom house undergoing extension, refurbishment or renovation would be between £2500 - £4000 depending on the level of input. A large scale luxury home with cinema rooms and home automation would be more than this. At the other end of the scale a small scheme or an open plan area needing a simple lighting layout with a lighting schedule would be less. This however is just guidance. We prefer to charge a fixed fee per project and not per hour so you know exactly how much the fee is and you can budget for it. Ideally you should know that you can meet the cost of the architectural light fittings as well as the design cost. It helps if we know what we have got to work with so that we can deliver the best design within your budget!

+ How much does lighting cost?

Good quality architectural lighting has a higher price tag than more standard light fittings. This is a reflection of the higher quality, better performance, larger choice of beam angles and greater choice of finishes. You pay for what you get. Architectural downlights are smaller and more discreet than standard downlights, they also have good glare control. LED’s last for 30,000 hours plus which means that you will have them for a long time so it’s worth spending a bit more to make sure that you have a quality product that will stand the test of time. We usually recommend a budget of about 2-4% of the overall build budget for the cost of the fittings. Installation and control are in addition to that. Remember is usually costs the same to install a standard downlight as it costs to install an architectural downlight so saving a few pounds per fitting can be a false economy.

+ My project has already started is it too late?

Don’t worry if lighting has escaped your radar and the project is well progressed. We can still make a valuable contribution and design a creative and achievable lighting scheme that takes into account construction and time limitations. At focalglow we are used to coming on board late in the day and turning around lighting schemes in record time. It does however mean that decisions with regards to design and budget have to be taken very quickly so we are flexible in the way we work and the products we specify.

+ I already have an architect / interior designer do I really need a lighting designer?

The work that we do complements that of an architect and an interior designer. As well as looking at the space creatively, having an in-depth technical knowledge means that we ensure the right products, quality and colour of light, power and light distribution are specified, carefully detailed and correctly positioned in order to enhance your spaces and landscape.. A comprehensive lighting design package can be handed over to the electrical contractor for them to accurately price and they will have all the information needed to supply and install the lighting to bring out the best of your home.

+ My electrician / electrical contractor has said they can take care of the lighting design. Do I need a lighting designer?

An electrical contractor will typically look at lighting from a functional point of view. They will usually provide a grid of downlights that lights your space in a very uniform way. This can create a flat ambience and is not very visually appealing. We look at lighting in a completely different way. Good lighting design is not just about providing enough light. It is the careful contrast of light and shade to creating texture , depth and focus which will make the most of your architecture and interior design and transform the look and feel of your home.

+ What is architectural lighting?

Architectural lighting is at the heart of every home and every lighting design. It is the lighting usually provided by discreet fittings that enhances your architectural and interior features, provides focus, emphasises surface and texture, provides appropriate light for activities and tasks, and ensures the right quality and colour of light is experienced. Architectural lighting includes carefully placed downlighting, uplighting, wallwashing, hidden lighting details integrated into the architecture, floorwashers, ceiling coves and slots. A lighting design will include all the architectural lighting.

+ What is decorative lighting?

Decorative lighting is generally considered that which self illuminates but may not contribute a large amount to the overall light levels. The selection of decorative lighting is usually by the client / interior designer as it is very much down to personal taste. We are always happy to review your choices and may make suggestions or provide guidance but don’t usually specify decorative lighting. It is however considered as part of the overall lighting design and locations for decorative lighting are shown on our drawings.