When we think about interior design, we often focus on furniture, rugs, wall colour, or even art. But at Elesi, we know a thing or two about lighting, and nothing defines a space, sets the mood, or makes a design truly shine (literally) like lighting.

Design isn’t just about what you see; it’s the ambience of the space. And lighting plays a major role in all seven elements of design, while helping to differentiate the function of a space. Let’s break it down.

Creating Space

Space is all about dimensions, how large or small a room is, as well as making the most of the space you are working with. There is skill in creating the illusion of space in a small room, and that’s where lighting can become crucial.

The right lighting can make a compact room feel open and airy, and it can create cosy intimacy in a larger space. Think recessed, cooler toned light for a clean, open vibe or layered warm lighting to define different zones within a room.

Understanding Lines

Lines direct movement and create structure in a design. Much in the same way as creating space in smaller rooms using lighting, lines can alter the way we perceive the size of the room we enter. Just as with creating space using brightness and temperature, lighting can be used effectively to create lines.

Vertical lines, such as floor lamps or singular pendants offer the illusion of height by drawing the eye upward, while wider, more horizontal light fittings widen the space and create a focal point.

Defining Form

Form refers to the overall shape of objects in a space, such as sofas, cushions, coffee tables, artwork, and ornaments. And this extends to lighting as well. Striking the balance between soft curves, sharp lines, and natural forms defines the design of your space.

Light fixtures themselves can serve as focal points by contrasting or complementing your rooms existing forms. Using a linear lantern can break up the soft curves of a cosy interior, while a round pendant can bring a little warmth to a modern space.

Light

We have talked about how light affects each of the previous elements, however it’s important to address lighting as its own element. After all, this one is our specialty! Besides the few points we have already touched on, natural and artificial light influence so much more, such as colour, mood, and functionality.

Warm lighting makes a space feel inviting, while cool lighting is crisp and energising, perfect for kitchens or workspaces where clear and bright lighting is essential. Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting ensures every space is both beautiful and practical. This can be achieved easily by pairing Dim to Warm Downlights with designer pendants.

Colour Palette

Lighting doesn’t just affect how we see colour, it transforms it. Have you ever noticed how the paint you have chosen looks different in the shop to when you bring it home? That’s lighting at work. Choosing the right bulbs and fixtures helps maintain the true colours of your design vision.

Warmer or cooler temperature lights can vastly change the way colours are perceived, but CRI plays a huge role in this as well. Sunlight reflects colour most accurately, while some low CRI lighting can leach colour, making it appear duller. High CRI lighting enhances the way colour is reflected and makes those colours pop exactly as they were intended to in your home. To learn more about this, check out our blog about how high CRI lighting works.

Texture

The sixth element of design is texture. Once again, we see that the combination of texture can complement and contrast. Lighting affects the way that texture is emphasised, whether it’s an industrial inspired brick wall washed with soft uplighting or a plush velvet sofa bathed in a cosy glow. Strategic lighting placement can highlight the richness of surfaces, adding depth and character to a space. How you light these textures will determine the overall effect of your design, and creating shadows is as important as the light itself when it comes to these defining features.

Patterns

Pattern brings visual interest, and a bold pattern can make or break a space. Using too much of a pattern can easily overwhelm the intended design. Using a pattern, particularly a bold one sparingly is key to tying the design together.

Having said this, a larger space can benefit from alternating bold patterns with solid colours and textures. Lighting can bring patterns to a space without overwhelming the balance. Prismatic glass can cast a wonderful display of light that can become a design feature in and of itself.

Understanding the 7 elements of design is key to creating a cohesive and stylish space—but lighting ties it all together. Whether you’re designing a home, office, or commercial space, the right lighting choices can elevate the experience from ordinary to extraordinary.

Need help choosing the perfect lighting for your design? We have plenty of guides available to point you in the right direction, from how to style a kitchen island, to what colours go with green, as well as technical lighting guides to help you light your space effectively.

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