How Light Shapes the Way We Feel

Out of the seven elements of interior design: one is particularly vital for a cohesive and functional design. Light. I was advised recently that if you can control the light, you can control the whole design.

I’ve lived and designed in sun-drenched places like Australia and Spain, where natural light is everywhere, whilst back in the UK, the long, grey winters are a different challenge. But no matter the location, when the sun goes down artificial lighting can be unforgiving. We’ve all sat under a harsh overhead light in a restaurant or caught unflattering shadows in a bathroom mirror—proof that whilst light is essential, it should also be comfortable.

Richard Kelly (1910–1977) was a pioneering American lighting designer who seamlessly integrated lighting into architecture to shape mood and atmosphere. His principles of ambient, task, and accent lighting remain fundamental today.

Yet, despite this long-established approach, poorly lit commercial and residential spaces are still far too common.

Then, a visit to Copenhagen in Denmark completely changed my perspective.

"Even a car park can be an amazing venue for a cocktail party, with the right lighting."

The UK and Denmark share a temperate maritime climate with no extreme weather but long, dark winters.

Visiting Copenhagen in January, I noticed how seamlessly artificial lighting replaced daylight. Instead of an abrupt light to dark, spaces glowed softly—starting with candles or dim light. This subtle approach extended to homes, restaurants, airports, and even streetlights, which are designed to be around 30% dimmer than in other places.

Light is central to Danish culture. Every February, the Copenhagen Light Festival transforms the city’s darkest months with luminous sculptures, installations, and projections.

I was fortunate to meet with Jesper Ravn, architect, lighting designer, and member of the Festival Curatorial Committee. He’s also a lecturer on architecture and lighting and external examiner for Ålborg University. I asked Jesper why Copenhagen, as a whole, had noticeably gentler and effective lighting compared to other countries I had visited.

Jesper explained that lighting is simple. "If you follow the eye, what do you want to highlight? What should recede? If you can control the lighting, you control the whole design. Light, be it daylight or artificial, has the power to completely transform a space. Even a car park can be an amazing venue for a cocktail party, with the right lighting".

So, as designers, when should we begin considering the lighting scheme in the development stage?

Purpose and Feeling

Jesper recommends planning lighting before the spatial layout.

"Consider the feeling you want to create, the purpose of the light in the space, where the light is coming from, and how it will look in the dark."

Perhaps a long corridor needs to feel shorter or more engaging as you walk through it. Or maybe reading is a priority for your client, in which case lighting will naturally guide where seating is placed—by a window for daytime use, for example.

Thoughtful lighting design should adapt to shifting moods throughout the evening. In an open-plan space, for instance, task lighting may be needed for kitchen prep, a gentler glow for dining, and a softer, more atmospheric feel in the lounge area as the night unfolds.

After discussing three layers of lighting, we explored how to further manage the transition between light and dark.

Control of Changing Light

I spent years in Queensland, Australia where the sun drops fast—daylight fading to darkness in just 20 minutes. In Denmark, the transition lingers for an hour or more. Different rhythms, but both just as breathtaking.

By embracing the shifting light and appreciating the twilight, artificial lighting shouldn’t compete with this moment. If you can see your reflection before full darkness, it’s too bright.

This also applies to other moments when the space is in use. Whilst bright bathroom lights might be needed for your client’s evening skincare routine, for example, a small LED at night prevents harsh contrasts that can feel jarring. Sudden brightness is unsettling—it triggers a response, prompting the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, according to a report by Healthline.

Disruptions to the circadian rhythm, like irregular sleep schedules or exposure to artificial light at night, can also have a significant impact on health and well-being.

Easing the Transition

So how can clients manage changing light throughout the day without relying on a complicated lighting system?

We recommend specifying dimmer switches, allowing them to easily adjust light levels throughout the day. Alternatively, they could use an app—Philips Hue, for example, enables them to set lighting that gently wakes them up, creates a comfortable work environment, and helps them wind down in the evening.

Hygge

If lighting influences how we feel, why do Danes seem to embrace it so well? There's a Danish word with no direct English equivalent that explains it perfectly.

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Danish concept focused on creating a comforting atmosphere, enjoying simple pleasures, and fostering togetherness. In design, it translates to soft lighting, natural materials, layered textures, and inviting spaces for relaxation and connection.

In my opinion, this is something the Danes truly understand, and it's a concept I’m embracing more and more in my work. As designers, it’s crucial we create the desired feeling through lighting.

And how can we be sustainable with light? "Don’t waste it. Only illuminate the areas that need to be seen".

Lastly, Jesper reminded me that the best lighting schemes are those where the light source remains unseen, shaping the atmosphere without drawing attention to the fixtures. But that’s a topic for another journal.