Cover Lighting plays a crucial yet often underappreciated role for a a comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing home (Photo: Fabian Ong)
Lighting plays a crucial yet often underappreciated role for a a comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing home (Photo: Fabian Ong)
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Lightcraft’s managing director Sua Kim Seng reveals professional secrets to transform your home with the perfect lighting design
Lighting plays a crucial yet often underappreciated role in creating the perfect ambience in your home. It’s far more than just a practical necessity; the unassuming underdog helps create a comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing home environment.
According to Lightcraft managing director Sua Kim Seng, here are some key considerations to consider when illuminating your home—not just to make these spaces aesthetically pleasing but also to serve their utmost purpose functionally, enhancing your quality of life and making you feel truly at home.
Read more: Let there be light: Sua Kim Seng’s illuminating journey as the managing director of Lightcraft
1. Understand the function of each space
Layered lighting provides flexibility and enhances the functionality and atmosphere of a space (Photo: Gavin Yam)
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Every room in your home serves different purposes throughout the day, and Sua recommends at least two to three lighting options—what is considered a “layered lighting” approach—in each space. These options consist of ambient, task, and accent lighting, providing flexibility and enhancing the functionality and atmosphere of a space.
Bright, focused lighting with cooler temperatures (blue light) is energising and best for daytime activities and work, while softer, ambient lighting with warmer temperatures (yellow light) is more relaxing and suitable for evenings, helping you wind down before bedtime.
See also: Home tour: An award-winning six-storey Kuala Lumpur home integrated with nature
2. Consider the traffic frequency of each space
The amount of lights in a room depends on the traffic of the space (Photo: The Space Storyteller)
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Besides the above-mentioned, the number of lighting options should also correspond to the traffic and usage of each area to accommodate new activities and additional family members with diverse daily routines.
“The amount of light depends on the traffic of a space, as in how many people are staying in this space or using this space,” Sua elaborates. “If you are alone, perhaps you just need one; but when you are having friends over—or when there is more than one person in one household—you definitely can’t live with just one light.”
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3. Choose light fixtures you’re comfortable with
Choose light fixtures that bring you joy (Photo: The Space Storyteller)
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While Sua advises listening to the architect or interior designer for functional lighting needs—also known as “architectural lighting,” which focuses on illuminating a space based on its function—when it comes to particular lighting pieces that honour the architectural functions, trust your instincts.
“Listen to your heart because at the end of the day, you’re the one who’s going to be looking at it every day!” he adds with a laugh. “If a particular fixture design brings you joy, it has a place in your home, regardless of whether it ‘matches’ perfectly.”
4. Find the right price point
Consider lighting an investment in showcasing your home’s best features (Photo: The Space Storyteller)
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While it’s tempting to cut lighting costs, Sua reminds us that there’s a threshold below which quality and comfort are compromised. Aim for the best quality you can afford without sacrificing your comfort or the functionality of your space.
While it might be tempting to allocate most of your budget to high-quality furnishings, remember that even the most expensive pieces in any space can fall flat without appropriate lighting. Consider lighting an investment in showcasing your home’s best features, as it is what helps make your space—and what’s in it—look good.
See also: Tips from Michelin-starred Chef Raymond Tham on how to choose the right kitchen countertop
5. Don’t forget maintenance and longevity
Above A bespoke chandelier plated in gold in the living room with full-height mirrored wall panels (Photo: Marq HQO)
Above A bespoke San Souci pendant crafted from bohemian glass with metallic nano-coating (Photo: Gavin Yam)
A bespoke chandelier plated in gold in the living room with full-height mirrored wall panels (Photo: Marq HQO)
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When selecting fixtures, Sua stresses considering maintenance and longevity as well. For example, while LED lighting is often touted as long-lasting and low-maintenance, it may require professional assistance or complete replacement when issues arise.
Even something as trivial as ease of cleaning should be factored into the long-term care requirements when making your choices.
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Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
