Before Renovating

How to Plan Your Home Lighting Room by Room

When renovating an apartment, lighting often only becomes a consideration once the painters are already on site, the plasterboard is being installed, or it is time to choose the ceiling light. This is when you may realise that there is no reading light next to the bed, the kitchen worktop is left in shadow, or a single central light is expected to do everything in the living room.

Good lighting, however, is not just about choosing light fixtures. It is also about making sure you can cook, work, read, or simply relax comfortably in the evening. Older apartments in Budapest, in particular, often come with compromised layouts: too few lighting points, poorly positioned switches, rooms added later, or dark hallways.

Before any electrical work begins, it is worth thinking through on paper how each room will actually be used.

Don’t Rely on a Single Light Source

Most rooms need more than just one source of light. A practical lighting plan usually includes three layers:

• ambient lighting, which provides even illumination throughout the room;
• task lighting, for example above the kitchen worktop, near a desk, or next to a reading corner;
• accent or mood lighting, which creates a more comfortable atmosphere in the evening.

There is no need to turn every apartment into a hotel-style interior. Even simple changes can make a major difference in everyday use — for example, adding a floor lamp alongside the main ceiling light in the living room, or installing separate reading lights on both sides of the bed in the bedroom.

Living Room: Lighting for Both Conversation and Relaxation

In many living rooms, a single ceiling light is expected to do everything. This may seem practical, but in the evening it can easily create flat, overly harsh lighting. The central light can stay – it just shouldn’t be the only option.

It is worth considering:

• Where are the sofa and reading corner located?
• Is there a spot where people often work or do crafts?
• Do you watch TV in dim lighting?
• Do you need separate lighting for a bookshelf, picture, or plant?

A warm floor lamp or wall light can often improve the evening atmosphere far more than a brighter central ceiling light.

Kitchen: Pay Special Attention to the Worktop

In the kitchen, ceiling lighting alone is usually not enough. When someone stands in front of the worktop, their own body can cast a shadow over the chopping board or sink.

When planning the lighting, it is worth noting:

• where the main worktop will be;
• whether there will be wall cabinets;
• where most food preparation will take place;
• where the dining table will be positioned.

Worktop lighting should ideally be planned together with the kitchen furniture. If the need for additional lighting only comes up later, it is best to avoid having to open up walls, remove finishes, or dismantle cabinetry just to run new cables.

Important: fixed electrical connections, installing new circuits, or dealing with suspected faulty wiring are not DIY tasks. In these cases, a suitably qualified electrician should be called in.

Bedroom: A Ceiling Light Is No Substitute for a Reading Light

Strong, cool lighting is rarely pleasant in a bedroom. A softer general light usually works better here, complemented by two separately controlled, focused reading lights.

Before renovation, it is especially worth deciding:

• Will lighting be needed on both sides of the bed?
• Is separate lighting required near the wardrobe?
• Is there a dressing table or work area in the room?
• Will the switches be easy to reach from the bed?

These may seem like small details, but in everyday life they can make the difference between a bedroom that simply looks good and one that is truly comfortable.

Bathroom: Lighting Around the Mirror Matters Most

In the bathroom, a single light above the mirror often casts strong shadows on the face. For shaving, applying makeup, or simply getting ready in the morning, it is much better if the light also comes from the sides.

Here, aesthetics are not the only consideration. Because of the humid, wet environment, choosing suitable light fittings and ensuring professional installation are especially important. Electrical work in bathrooms is not an area for a “we’ll figure it out somehow” approach. If you are unsure about the condition of the existing electrical system, call a suitably qualified electrician.

Hallway and Entrance Area: Avoid Dark Spots

In many Budapest apartments, the entrance hall is narrow or has little to no natural light. Here, the goal is not dramatic lighting, but simply to make it easy to see when arriving home, putting on shoes, or getting ready to leave.

Useful options include:

• even ceiling lighting;
• additional lighting next to a mirror;
• simple motion-sensor lighting in areas that are often used in the dark.

Review This Checklist Before Buying a Light Fixture

Before choosing a light fixture, don’t base your decision on appearance alone. Keep these questions in mind as well:

1. What activity will the light be used for?
2. How large is the room, and what colours are the walls and furniture?
3. Will you need softer, more subdued lighting in the evening?
4. Where will the furniture be positioned in relation to the light?
5. What colour temperature do you prefer: a warmer, cosier light or a more neutral light that supports concentration?
6. Is there already an electrical connection at the planned location?
7. Does the existing electrical system show any signs of a problem, such as overheating, flickering, frequently tripping protection devices, or scorch marks?

The last point should not be taken lightly. If you notice any of these signs, do not try to solve the problem simply by replacing the light fixture.

When Should You Definitely Call an Electrician?

Planning the lighting, choosing light fixtures, and assessing how each space will be used are all safe and useful preparation steps. However, installing new wiring, making fixed electrical connections, modifying switch or socket circuits, troubleshooting electrical faults, carrying out electrical work in bathrooms, or doing anything involving the electricity meter or the utility provider’s side of the system are not DIY jobs.

If any of these needs arise during the renovation, a suitably qualified electrician should be brought in.

A Good Lighting Plan Can Save You Money and Frustration Later

Planning your lighting carefully before renovation does not necessarily mean installing more lights or spending more money. Rather, it means making sure that every light has a clear purpose and is positioned where it is actually needed. You will be able to see clearly what you are chopping at the kitchen worktop. You will not need to get out of bed just to switch on a light for reading. And in the living room, you will not have to choose between glaring brightness and near darkness.

The right questions should be asked before the walls are closed up.