Getting Light Right Home Lighting Design

Getting Light Right Home Lighting Design I help self builders & homeowners bring their dream spaces to life with exquisite lighting designs.

Delivering a personalised, cost-effective service tailored to any schedule & budget. Creating beautifully illuminated inviting homes uniquely for you.

What's your favourite type of lighting? Tell me below with a number.1. Chandeliers/pendants2. Wall Lights3. Table & flo...
15/10/2025

What's your favourite type of lighting? Tell me below with a number.

1. Chandeliers/pendants
2. Wall Lights
3. Table & floor lamps
4. Ceiling downlights (spotlights)
5. Linear LED
6. Other and if so, tell me what that is or show us a photo 😀

I've got 1, 2, 3, 4, &, 5 in this room with a lighting control system so we can change the way the room looks and functions depending on what the homeowners are using it for.

I am working on lots of open plan areas the moment – mainly kitchen / dining / living rooms, so I thought it might be us...
14/10/2025

I am working on lots of open plan areas the moment – mainly kitchen / dining / living rooms, so I thought it might be useful to share a few of the things I bear in mind when I am designing a lighting plan for such area:

1. Each part of an open plan area is usually required to do different jobs, e.g. for cooking, for eating, for watching TV, for reading, etc. Consider what you need to do in each area completely separately before looking at making the whole space work as a whole.

2. For many people it’s tempting to try to get ceiling downlights to work in rows or grid patterns in any room in their house. This is much harder in open plan areas where the areas are doing different jobs. So, it’s even more important in these areas to remember to place them where you need them (rather than forcing them into rows or grids).

3. Break the open plan area lighting down into zones so that you don’t have to waste energy lighting the areas that you aren’t using.

4. Build in some background lighting to each zone so that when you are using one area you can have a low level of light on around. Most people feel more comfortable with a bit of background lighting on in the areas that they aren’t using over leaving them in the dark.

5. You can end up with lots of circuits in open plan areas which can mean lots of light switches. Switching also gets really complicated if you want to operate the lights in one area from more than one of the other areas or if there are lots of access points. In these areas it is really worth considering the convenience of a small lighting control system. Do you really want one of what's on the left – (perhaps engraved so you can remember what each switch is for?), when you can have something like that on the right?

My 1 and 2 hour on-line consultations are brilliant if you're struggling with your lighting. I probably don't say it en...
13/10/2025

My 1 and 2 hour on-line consultations are brilliant if you're struggling with your lighting. I probably don't say it enough, but they just work.

They've helped loads of people tweak a lighting design that they weren't happy with.

They've helped people who had ideas about the lighting they wanted but weren't sure that their ideas would work.

They've also helped people who were so overwhelmed with all the things they'd seen in magazines, at those massive construction shows, on Pinterest, on TV home shows, at hotels/bars/restaurants they've been to, etc. etc. etc. that they just didn't know where to even start.

They've helped people who have their builder snapping at their heels who's threatening to get their electrician to do it. Hello, 2 rows of downlights in every room...

Here are the links if you want to get your lighting woes sorted quickly and easily:

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/1-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/2-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

For many people a Lighting Consultant is quite an unusual job so I often get asked how I ended up as one. The potted an...
07/10/2025

For many people a Lighting Consultant is quite an unusual job so I often get asked how I ended up as one. The potted answer is “By accident!” If you’re interested, the longer version is:

I have a degree in Textiles Fashion where I was able to take my studies towards interior textiles. I learned about constructed textiles which covered woven, knitted, and tufted (mainly for flooring). After my degree I did some freelance work in flooring design before eventually working for a company who produced fashion and textile design software. I was partly involved in sales and partly in training. Sadly after a few years the company was wound down and I lost a job that I loved.

I started temping whilst looking for my next job and deciding to go back to my interiors roots. I took a distance learning course to get a City and Guilds in Interior Design. With no idea of how to get my first job in Interior Design I started helping friends out with putting together some basic Interior Design work like colour schemes and soft furnishings ideas.

Whilst looking for a bathroom ceiling light I went to look around a new local lighting showroom instead of going to the usual places around our way – BHS and JLP. I got chatting to a member of staff who decided that I could be a good fit to replace her! About two weeks later I started working at that showroom at the weekends and within four months was working there five to six days a week and on my own during the week.

So, that’s the accident and it must have been a happy one because that was in February 2001! I worked for that lighting showroom for around 3 years before becoming one of their franchisees. In 2011 I went completely independent, and the rest, as they say, is history…

The majority of Lighting Consultancies i know of are set up to offer a minimum of:🟣 Creating a full lighting/switching p...
06/10/2025

The majority of Lighting Consultancies i know of are set up to offer a minimum of:

🟣 Creating a full lighting/switching plan in CAD software
🟣 Creating a full lighting products quotation/specification
🟣 Supplying all of the lighting they have specified
🟣 Holding meetings on and off site associated with the above

Some even have their own in-house electricians to install the lighting. Some even want their clients to have a full smart home system that they specify, supply, install, commission, and maintain for them.

This service takes a lot of time and so has a price tag of £1,000s. It's also often an "all or nothing" offering.

I can do most of the above, and frequently do. But, I felt there needed to be a place for homeowners who just need some help here and there in getting their lighting right. They don't have or want to spend £1,000s on it. They might just want a second opinion on their lighting plan. They might just have a few technical queries about LEDs to chat through. They may want someone to give them some ideas to develop themselves.

I fill that gap with my 1 or 2-hour on-line lighting design consultations. Homeowners can use them to ask whatever they want about lighting. I even have a simple calendar booking system so they can bag the slot that suits them best. So, if you are that homeowner, here are the links to book:

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/1-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/2-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

If you're not sure if this is for you, just ask. I'm happy to chat. I even have free 15 minute slots available for you to check before you buy. Here's the link if you want to book one in with me:

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/15-minute-free-discovery-call

I came across a very interesting article on the Homes and Gardens page today. It's been written by Charlotte O...
26/09/2025

I came across a very interesting article on the Homes and Gardens page today. It's been written by Charlotte Olby who is two and a half years into her, as yet unfinished and over budget, home renovation.

She lists the 5 things that she believes people regret skipping when handling their own renovation - they are certainly ones that she regrets. I guess these may also figure for self-builders. They are:

1. Forgoing professional help from the beginning
2. Not pre-planning storage
3. Failing to spend time on an electrical walk-through
4. Not addressing layout issues to save cost or time
5. Forgetting to test grout and paint colors

1 and 3 mention lighting specifically but I've also seen the others also catch people out with regard to their lighting. 2 - I've seen beautiful items on shelves that aren't being shown off like their deserve or wall light points covered by bookcases leaving rooms poorly lit. 4 - I've seen cables sticking out of tiled bathroom walls too low or too high for their chosen wall lights. 5 - I've seen rooms that are far too dark because of late decisions to change the paint or wall coverings to a very dark finish.

If you'd like to read the whole article - it's here:

https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/things-people-always-regret-skipping-during-a-renovation

Will you have any renovation regrets or is everything going to look fabulous?

Today I've been challenged to post about my claim to fame or a claim to fame if there are loads!So, my most recent claim...
25/09/2025

Today I've been challenged to post about my claim to fame or a claim to fame if there are loads!

So, my most recent claim to fame is being interviewed for the Living Section of Breathe Magazine's 70th issue. In the article called "Cosy Glow" I was asked about the health benefits of getting your lighting right. There are quite a few and it ran to a 4 page spread with about 2 pages of that being text.

One of the main reasons I brought in my entry level services was because light (natural and artificial) is central to our health and well-being. I wanted it to be possible for anyone who wants to have the healthiest lighting possible to be able to understand what they need to do to achieve that. I didn't want it to be the preserve of those with big budgets.

As my 1 and 2 hour on-line consultations are completely free-form, my clients can ask about what to do to get the most health promoting lighting for them. All from £150.00 + VAT for an hour.

I am for you if:🟪 You've decided that you don't want rows and grids of downlights but are unsure what to do instead.🟪 Yo...
24/09/2025

I am for you if:

🟪 You've decided that you don't want rows and grids of downlights but are unsure what to do instead.
🟪 You've seen lighting effects and types on-line, on Pinterest, on TV, in hotels/restaurants/bars you've been to but you're not sure if they will work in your home.
🟪 You've wanted to hire a lighting designer but each one you've contacted only offers an "all or nothing" service and "all" costs thousands.
🟪 You don't believe that every body on your project needs to come to site to make every decision.
🟪 You just want an experienced pair of eyes to sense check a lighting design you already have, whether it's from your architect, your interior designer, or you've created it yourself.

My 1 or 1 hour on-line consultations will be perfect for you because they are free-form. You choose what questions you want to ask. You choose what you want me to look over with you. You ask me for ideas that you might not have thought of.

Want to book?:

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/1-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/2-hour-on-line-lighting-consultation

Not sure what help you need?:

https://calendly.com/sam-samcoleslighting/15-minute-free-discovery-call

In it's 21st year my business is a very different beast to what it was in it's infancy. In the early days it followed a...
23/09/2025

In it's 21st year my business is a very different beast to what it was in it's infancy. In the early days it followed a franchise model based around selling decorative lighting products.

But, as I realised that it was actually the architectural (AKA technical) lighting that's the thing that makes the magic, can shape spaces, change the mood, and influence atmosphere, I adapted my business model.

Today, it's based around providing lighting advice for homeowners and self-builders and not on selling lighting. Yes, I do have favourite lighting suppliers whose products I tend to specify regularly - those who:

💜Create quality, value for money products
💜Provide a great service before and after the sale
💜Are reliable, like their products
💜Innovate

However, because my model is based on providing sound advice from my 25 years experience, that keeps me independent. I can recommend from the whole of the market because I am not relying on lighting sales for income.

I do get asked by some clients to do their lighting procurement -that's an extra for me, not a given, and certainly not expected. It means that I recommend what's best for their project and their budget and not what earns me the most profit.

So, if you're comparing Lighting Consultants for your project - please make sure that you are comparing like for like. If a company isn't earning much from their design expertise then it's got to be coming from somewhere...

A lot of people who contact me about my 1 and 2 hour on-line consultations aren't sure that they will work for them.If y...
22/09/2025

A lot of people who contact me about my 1 and 2 hour on-line consultations aren't sure that they will work for them.

If you're worried that I need to be on site but that it's too far for me to travel - I've been reading plans for 25 years so I can visualise what your spaces are going to look like without being there. I can make a site visit if you want me to - I just need to cover my travel time.

If you're concerned that there won't be enough time to cover everything you need - you can contact me for advice on how long you will need before booking. Often there is time to run over if needed, especially if you book the latest slot in a day. I'll just invoice any extra time at the end.

If you believe that I will be holding back on revealing Lighting Designers' trade secrets to keep it as a "black art" - I'll be spilling every can of beans that are needed to give you what you need to know. That's what you are paying me for - to help you with the things about lighting that you don't know.

If you think you're going to be asking "stupid" questions - there is no such thing as a stupid question. Please see the above.

If you don't know where to start - let's start with the space that matters the most and we can go on from there.

Imagine that your new home, extension, or renovation work is all done. The builders are all gone, finally leaving you i...
19/09/2025

Imagine that your new home, extension, or renovation work is all done. The builders are all gone, finally leaving you in peace and quiet. And, you've decided to hold a house warming party for all of your friends and family to see it.

But, are you worried that it's just not what you'd hoped it would be?

Or, are you massively excited to see everyone's jaws drop as they walk in?

Do you secretly know that they will all be saying "Wow" as they walk in?

Do you know for sure that they will all be enviously talking about it afterwards?

You know that a great lighting design is so often that missing link that makes all the difference. But, you think that you just can't afford to hire anyone to help you out. Let's get your lighting sorted before it's too late and from just £150.00 + VAT. The options for you are at:

https://www.samcoleslighting.co.uk/lighting-design-home-owners/

Address

Leighton Buzzard
LU71

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

01525 382682

Website

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