House lighting is something that you may never have thought about.
But this doesn’t mean that it’s unimportant.
It helps improve your home’s appearance. This could be for living in it or staging it for sale.
This house lighting guide answers the most common questions around this subject.
You’ll be an expert by the end! Let’s get started…
How to choose lighting for my house
When you move into a new house, it’s natural to want to switch things up a bit.
You might want to lighten your home or even darken it to improve the ambience of certain rooms.
Maybe you’re not happy with the current light installation. In this case, you could explore other options.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting is soft lighting that fills an entire room. But ‘typical’ ambient lighting is perfect for kitchens and living areas.
Downlighting
Downlights are a common example, they are mounted on ceilings and provide general lighting. They are ideal for bedrooms when trying to relax at night.
Cove lighting
Cove lighting is aimed at walls and ceilings, which it then reflects off.
Task lighting
Task lighting focuses on a specific point in a room where you’ll be doing a task.
This might be above a desk where you’re working or at the dinner table. You can usually move this type of light around.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting focuses on just one item, like a piece of art or furniture.
It helps frame a focal point in darker lighting, creating a contrast that creates an engaging atmosphere.
Are all houses sold with lighting already installed?
Not always. Sometimes, the previous owners will take this with them. This should be made clear to you in the fixtures and fittings form.
In general, lighting is considered a ‘fixture’. But it is technically removable in plenty of cases.
You may want to pay less if the house is sold without lighting.
Or, if a sophisticated lighting setup is included which you love, you may be asked to pay more.
How much does it cost to change my house lighting?
This depends on how complex the lighting system is. You’ll see wide variation based on your location and the professional you use.
Each light fixture will probably cost £100 to change. A qualified electrician should do this.
This means that to re-do the entire house, the price can often go into the thousands for complicated projects.
Changing one lighting area doesn’t need to cost more than a couple hundred pounds, though.
Do I have any legal requirements for house lighting?
Your main requirement is to ensure that all electrical fittings are safe.
If they aren’t, it’s not just you who’s at risk – it’s surrounding properties too, especially if there’s a fire risk.
Besides this, you aren’t required to have certain types of lights in your home.
It’s up to you. But you should always be transparent about this subject with potential buyers.
For instance, some buyers will want to know about the energy efficiency of your lights. They may also want details on how this impacts your EPC score.
It’s rare for a house to be denied a mortgage because there’s no house lighting. It’s still considered habitable. You’ll just get a drastically reduced price for it.
As a landlord, you have requirements for your renters for lighting. It should all be safe, with the relevant electrical certificates, confirmed by an electrician.
Is house lighting important?
House lighting is far more critical than most people think. It can draw your eye to certain key features.
And it can impact your house’s ‘look’ and ‘feel’ – especially in the winter months.
If integral parts of your house are not lit, it can be a major problem. You’re more accident prone if you can’t see where you’re going.
Lighting can also impact your mood and sleep patterns. And if you are selling your house, it can often influence the price you receive by thousands.
Don’t forget that poorly installed lighting can be dangerous. You are responsible for getting it checked by an electrician, who will confirm that it’s safe.
Can house lighting impact property value?
Yes. When done well, it enables your home to stand out. This may increase the offers you receive by 5%, or even higher.
But when done poorly, lighting can turn potential buyers away altogether.
Most people want to move straight into a home without messing around with the lighting system. If yours isn’t installed, offers may drop by 10%.
