ᐅ Any experiences with online lighting consultations?

Hello everyone,

Are there any homeowners here who have used the lighting consultation service of a lighting designer via the internet? You need to send the building plans by email or contact form, and it apparently costs around 200 EUR for 1-3 rooms up to 100 m² (1,076 sq ft).

Is it worth it?

If yes, where did you have a good experience?

Or did you do the lighting design for your house yourselves? If so, in which rooms did you choose to install spotlights and why?

Let us know your thoughts on the topic of lighting (consultation).

Thanks and best regards

That’s easy money!!!

You can probably mark the heating points as well, right? Otherwise, plan for plenty of window area to ensure it becomes sufficiently bright relatively quickly.

That’s not going to help you much at night, though... I would suggest checking what’s available in your area. At the moment, due to COVID-19, it’s rather difficult to arrange an in-person appointment. We found a local expert nearby and had them show us the concept of “clearance height” to explain what lighting really means and how it works. We understood a lot more afterwards.

At first, I had planned to install spotlights almost everywhere (and way too many of them), but the planner started by creating the basic lighting scheme based on our plans, for a flat fee in the lower triple-digit range.

Before we lay the electrical wiring and KNX system, the planner will visit the construction site again to discuss further details. This is still part of the planning phase.

Then we receive proposals for suitable light fixtures and can fine-tune the current plan.

Chris2511 schrieb:

That won’t help you much at night though...
I would check what options are available nearby.
At the moment, due to COVID, it’s rather difficult to arrange appointments in person. We found someone locally who showed us in their “clearance space” what lighting really means and how it affects a room. We learned a lot from that.

At first, I had planned almost exclusively spotlights (and way too many), but the planner started with the basic lighting based on our plans, for a flat fee in the low three-digit range.

Before we install the electrical wiring and KNX, he will come again for a construction site visit to discuss further details. That is still part of the planning phase.

Then we will receive proposals for suitable fixtures and can optimize the current plan further.

True, but I sleep at night. Just kidding. I have a lot of U-rail track lighting from Paulmann installed on the ground floor and in the bathrooms, and it’s definitely possible to make mistakes (especially in the kitchen), but they also provide online guidance on how to position everything. The rest comes down to common sense and a few hours of online research.

However, if someone has no idea at all, in my opinion, on-site planning would be preferable.

I am skeptical about that.

What types of results does the service provider deliver?
Locations for light fixtures?
Recommendations for beam angles?
Recommendations for light intensity?
Recommendations for color temperature?
Recommendations for CRI?
Recommendations for specific products?
...
How does the provider address your wishes, preferences, and lifestyle?

If you have the necessary budget, I believe that personal consultation and lighting design definitely make sense.
Proper lighting design is, in my opinion, more complex than most people think.
As hampshire already mentioned, I would also be skeptical about an online plan.
However, it is probably still better than nothing.

I would plan recessed lights (or alternatively wall lamps) in the hallways.
In the kitchen, above the work surfaces. Above the kitchen island, I would prefer pendant lights instead.
Wall-mounted spotlights on the stairs (or alternatively wall lamps or LED strips).
And in the bathroom, combined with illuminated mirrors and wall lamps.
No recessed lights in living, dining, and sleeping areas. If anything, only decorative wall lighting.
The furniture layout definitely needs to be decided before starting with the lighting design.

If possible, divide the lighting into three groups:
general lighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting.
Of course, this also depends on the budget.

I don’t think you can create a proper lighting plan after just a few hours of online research.
If you start planning onsite when the building is already at the shell stage, it’s already too late.
Unless you simply place a light fixture in the center of the room.