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When you’re deep in a renovation or building project, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket items—kitchens, floor finishes, joinery—and leave lighting decisions for later. But according to lighting designer Jodie Meier from About Space, that’s a mistake too many renovators make.
“Lighting can truly make or break a space,” Jodie says. “You can have the most beautiful finishes, the most stunning furniture, but if the lighting isn’t right, it won’t feel right.”
With nearly a decade of experience in lighting design, Jodie has helped many people transform their spaces—not just by adding light, but by creating thoughtful, layered designs that reflect the way they actually live.
Whether you’re leading your first renovation or managing a full-scale development, here’s what you need to know about designing lighting that’s not only beautiful but deeply functional—and why it pays to start early.
Lighting Isn’t Just an Accessory—It’s a Foundation
Most of us treat lighting like a finishing touch. But if you wait until the end of the project, you risk costly changes—or worse, a design that doesn’t work.
“Lighting is something you want to plan from the beginning, not after the rough-in is done,” says Jodie. “It allows for a more thoughtful design, and it’s so much easier to make adjustments early on.”
Her number one piece of advice? Start your lighting conversations as early as you do your cabinetry. Bring your designer floor plans, inspiration images, and a clear understanding of how you’ll use each room. Early planning means fewer regrets.
“Lighting should enhance your space, not just illuminate it,” says Jodie. “But to do that well, you need to design it like it matters from day one.”
Drawing from both her own experience, Jodie highlights several common repercussions of poor planning:
- Inflexible Wiring Layouts: Once the walls are plastered and wiring is fixed, your options shrink. Want to add wall sconces or re-centre a pendant? That could mean cutting into finished walls and ceilings—not ideal.
- Missed Design Opportunities: If your lighting plan isn’t integrated with your interior layout from the start, you may miss out on the chance to highlight feature walls, textures, or architectural elements.
- Overspending on Retrofitting: Late decisions often lead to reactive changes. “If you’re re-routing wires or adding switches after the rough-in, your electrician will charge more—and rightly so,” Jodie notes.
- Incohesive Aesthetics: Without a clear plan, it’s easy to end up with a mix of styles or mismatched finishes that don’t tie together.
- Limited Fixture Placement: Want to add uplights in a hallway, or LED strip lighting under joinery? If the structure or cabinetry’s already installed, your options are limited or off the table entirely.
In a recent podcast episode of Building with BuildHer, Jodie also shared how even small details—like how light interacts with surface finishes—are best considered early.
“A glossy surface reflects light very differently to a matte or dark material. If you don’t factor that in, your lighting can feel harsh, dull, or just plain wrong.”
Think in Layers (Not Just Downlights)
One of the most common mistakes Jodie sees is people defaulting to rows of downlights, thinking that’s the only way to light a space adequately.
“People panic and overcompensate with too many downlights,” she says. “But the goal isn’t brightness—it’s balance.”
A thoughtful combination of floor lamps, pendants, wall lights, and dimmable controls often creates a much more pleasant, dynamic space than rows of ceiling lights ever could.
“Lighting needs to reflect how you live in that space—are you chopping vegetables, reading on the couch, or entertaining friends?”
The solution? Layered lighting. That means using a thoughtful mix of:
- Task Lighting – For activities like cooking, reading, working
- Ambient Lighting – Soft, general light that fills the room
- Accent Lighting – Decorative or architectural lighting that adds drama, interest, or personality
When you layer your lighting, you’re not just lighting the room—you’re activating the atmosphere. Jodie encourages people to think of accent lighting as “the jewellery of the home.” A beautiful pendant over a dining table or wall lights in a hallway can completely transform a space.
Task Lighting: The Unsung Hero of Good Design
Task lighting is one of the most overlooked, yet most essential, elements of a well-designed home.
“It’s about making sure you have the right light where you need it—on benches, desks, mirrors, or reading corners,” says Jodie.
In kitchens, that means lighting above countertops and cooking surfaces. In bathrooms, wall sconces on either side of the mirror (rather than overhead) give better light for grooming. In studies or WFH setups, desk lamps and strategic pendants are key.
Without good task lighting, you’ll end up blasting the room with too much overhead light—creating glare and killing the mood.
Ambient & Accent Lighting: The Magic Makers
Once your task lighting is sorted, it’s time to add warmth and style.
“Ambient lighting is that soft background glow that gives a space its soul,” Jodie explains. “It might come from a floor lamp, a dimmable pendant, or even an uplight bouncing off the ceiling.”
Meanwhile, accent lighting brings the drama—whether it’s a feature pendant over your entryway, small step lights down a hallway, or a sculptural wall sconce. These are the moments that elevate your home from functional to truly special.
Budgeting: What to Expect
Lighting doesn’t have to blow your budget—but Jodie recommends being realistic about costs. Here’s her general guide:
- Renovations: $10,000
- New Builds: $10,000–$20,000, depending on size and level of finish
- Architectural Homes or Custom Designs: upwards of $30,000–$40,000
This includes a mix of practical and decorative lighting, and installation costs—not just the fittings themselves.
“We always encourage clients to think about lighting holistically—not just in terms of the aesthetic, but the full installation and performance,” says Jodie.
Here are a few commonly overlooked costs that can sneak up:
- Installation Costs: The time and labour for your electrician to install each fixture (including complex installs like recessed uplighting or pendants on raked ceilings).
- Control Systems: Dimmers, switches, and smart lighting controls all add to the bottom line.
- Pre-Wiring or Rough-In Work: Especially for feature lighting like under-cabinet strips or wall sconces—if you miss this early, retrofitting can be costly.
- Bulbs/Globes: Decorative globes (like vintage Edison bulbs or frosted options) often need to be purchased separately.
- Custom Fittings or Modifications: Even small changes to a design—like extending a pendant cord or adjusting a wall bracket—can come with fees.
- Compliance and Certifications: Particularly in multi-res builds, meeting electrical code or energy efficiency standards may require specific products or certifications.
By budgeting properly from the start, you can avoid cutting corners later—and ensure your lighting plan elevates your entire home, both in function and form.
“Good lighting can be done on a modest budget,” she assures. “You just have to be smart with your selections and prioritise the spaces that matter most.”
Pro tip: Consider custom or locally made fittings—About Space works with Australian artists and fabricators to create bespoke options that are often more affordable than you’d expect.
Practical Tips from Jodie
Here are some bite-sized tips to take into your next lighting meeting or build plan:
- Start with function. How will the space be used? That dictates your lighting strategy.
- Add dimmers. They offer flexibility and instant mood-setting power.
- Coordinate with your finishes. Glossy surfaces reflect more light; darker tones absorb it.
- Avoid symmetry traps. It’s okay if lighting isn’t perfectly centred—what matters is how it feels.
- Highlight what matters. Got a beautiful wall texture or art piece? Light it to make it shine.
Lighting for the Way You Live
At the heart of Jodie’s philosophy is the belief that lighting should work for you—not just look good in a brochure.
“It’s about helping you bring your vision to life in a way that makes sense for your lifestyle,” she says.
Lighting shouldn’t just be functional or beautiful. It should be both. And it should support how you want to feel in your home—energised in the morning, calm at night, and proud every time you walk in the door.
Final Thoughts: Light with Purpose, Not Panic
If you’re leading a project—whether you’re a renovator, builder, or property developer—lighting is one of those make-or-break elements that deserves early attention. Don’t let it be an afterthought.
Plan it like you do your floor plan. Think about how it frames your finishes. Budget for it properly. And bring in a lighting designer when you can. Because as Jodie puts it:
“Lighting ties everything together. It’s the thread that connects beauty to liveability.”
Head to About Space to see their incredible range of bespoke, cutting-edge designer lighting and follow them on Insta for their latest projects and news!
aboutspace.net.au
@aboutspacelighting
You can also listen to Jodie’s chat with Rebeka on the ‘Building With BuildHer’ podcast where she shares more lighting tips to elevate your spaces – click here.
