Module 5: Lighting

In this module, you’ll explore the principles of interior lighting design and learn how to use natural and artificial light to enhance interiors.

You’ll discover how light affects colour, finishes, and fabrics, understand different types of lighting in interior design, and learn to specify lighting for every space.

Module 5 Course Preview

Why This Module Matters

Lighting is fundamental to creating mood, atmosphere, and functionality. In Module 5, you’ll:

Learn how colour temperature and light properties affect interior design.
Understand ambient, task, and accent lighting and how to apply them in rooms.
Explore natural light in interior design and how orientation impacts illumination.
Communicate lighting plans effectively to builders, electricians, and suppliers.
Incorporate lighting into your ongoing renovation project from Module 4.

What You’ll Learn

Lighting Principles
Understand types of lighting in interior design, including ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Colour & Light Interaction
Learn how light affects colour selection, finishes, and fabrics.
Natural & Artificial Light
Analyse natural light in interiors and plan effective artificial lighting strategies.
Electrical & Lighting Plans
Communicate lighting design clearly to builders, electricians, and contractors.

What You’ll Do

Plan Lighting Layouts
Design room-specific lighting and electrical arrangements for residential spaces.
Produce Reflected Ceiling Plans
Include light fixtures, switches, dimmers, power outlets, and hardwired equipment.
Enhance Function & Aesthetics
Use lighting to improve both usability and visual appeal in every room.
Integrate Lighting Into Projects
Apply knowledge from previous modules to plan lighting for a 1950s home redesign.

Module Topics

In Module 5, we will cover the following topics and beyond:

Lighting
Light And How We See
Colour Properties Of Light
Colour Temperature
Colour Rendering
Natural Light
Evaluating Natural Light Levels
Artificial Light
Sources Of Artificial Light
Site Analysis
Mounting Options
Types Of Light Fittings
Light Levels
How Light Is Measured
Designing With Light
Types Of Artificial Light
Lighting Design
Lighting The Home

The Front Door
Entrance And Hallway
Living Rooms
Kitchen
Dining Room
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Stairs
Exterior Light Fittings
Electrical, Lighting And Home Technology
The Smart House
Communicating With Your Builder
Lighting And Electrical Plans
Power Outlets
Symbols Used To Create A Reflected Ceiling Plan
Lighting Symbols

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 5, you will:

Be confident in designing and specifying interior lighting for all rooms.
Understand how colour temperature affects mood and perception in interiors.
Apply principles of natural and artificial lighting to enhance interior spaces.
Create accurate reflected ceiling plans for communication with electricians and builders.
Integrate lighting seamlessly into renovation and interior design projects.

Guidance Every Step Of The Way

Our expert tutors will guide you step by step — from planning and sketching layouts to adding fixtures, switches, and dimmers, and creating reflected ceiling plans by hand or with software. With their guidance, you’ll confidently design, read, and present professional lighting plans for any interior project.