Pro Strategies for Inclusive Lighting Design
Get expert advice for creating soothing home sanctuaries for everyone, including those sensitive to light
Sensitivity to light can affect many of us, from a simple aversion to bright overhead lights to a more intense awareness of the color, type and even “sound” of certain lights at home. This sensitivity can be particularly heightened for those with a neurodivergent condition.
“Some neurodivergent people perceive minute flickering or noises from certain lamps. To others, these lamps are steady and silent, but to us they might be completely overwhelming,” says Snoof Kattekop, senior training associate at The Brain Charity. “It can be frustrating when people think the sensory input that’s causing issues doesn’t even exist and, for our neurotypical friends and loved ones, it’s difficult to anticipate an issue you can’t perceive yourself.”
Read on to learn more and get lighting ideas for every room to help your clients enjoy a more soothing home life.
“Some neurodivergent people perceive minute flickering or noises from certain lamps. To others, these lamps are steady and silent, but to us they might be completely overwhelming,” says Snoof Kattekop, senior training associate at The Brain Charity. “It can be frustrating when people think the sensory input that’s causing issues doesn’t even exist and, for our neurotypical friends and loved ones, it’s difficult to anticipate an issue you can’t perceive yourself.”
Read on to learn more and get lighting ideas for every room to help your clients enjoy a more soothing home life.
2. What Life Is Like for Someone Sensitive to Light
“Imagine the sensation of being stuck under a flickering fluorescent light — now imagine that feeling amplified and constant,” says Pippa Jameson, interior stylist, author and founder of The Sensory Home. “Bright, cold or fluctuating lighting can trigger anxiety, headaches or a sense of being under attack. It’s exhausting. That’s why lighting needs to be not just seen but felt through from a sensory perspective.”
“Sensitivity to light is often overlooked,” Kattekop says. “Shops, banks, schools and workplaces tend to take a one-size-fits-all, bright-as-you-like approach, [and] flashing lights in films, on TV and in physical locations are not consistently warned for.”
“Imagine the sensation of being stuck under a flickering fluorescent light — now imagine that feeling amplified and constant,” says Pippa Jameson, interior stylist, author and founder of The Sensory Home. “Bright, cold or fluctuating lighting can trigger anxiety, headaches or a sense of being under attack. It’s exhausting. That’s why lighting needs to be not just seen but felt through from a sensory perspective.”
“Sensitivity to light is often overlooked,” Kattekop says. “Shops, banks, schools and workplaces tend to take a one-size-fits-all, bright-as-you-like approach, [and] flashing lights in films, on TV and in physical locations are not consistently warned for.”
3. Why Lighting Control Is Important in a Home
Creating an indoor environment that suits your particular lighting requirements can make a huge difference to the way you feel at home. “A home should be a sanctuary. You should be able to come in, take off your shoes and let go of everything the outside world requires [of you],” Kattekop says.
“A lot of neurodivergent people mask their neurodivergence, so being able to just be yourself and relax completely is extra important. But if you’re still dealing with inaccessible lighting, or if adjusting it is complicated, you’re still in that situation where the world isn’t really built to suit you and your needs. Having easy-to-use lighting controls can make that difference in how quickly and painlessly you can start calming down and recovering from your day.”
“Lighting isn’t just functional, it’s emotional,” Jameson says. “For someone who’s neurodivergent or sensory-sensitive, harsh or strong lighting can feel overwhelming or even distressing, so having control over light temperature, color and sources allows people to feel safe, calm and in control of their space.”
Creating an indoor environment that suits your particular lighting requirements can make a huge difference to the way you feel at home. “A home should be a sanctuary. You should be able to come in, take off your shoes and let go of everything the outside world requires [of you],” Kattekop says.
“A lot of neurodivergent people mask their neurodivergence, so being able to just be yourself and relax completely is extra important. But if you’re still dealing with inaccessible lighting, or if adjusting it is complicated, you’re still in that situation where the world isn’t really built to suit you and your needs. Having easy-to-use lighting controls can make that difference in how quickly and painlessly you can start calming down and recovering from your day.”
“Lighting isn’t just functional, it’s emotional,” Jameson says. “For someone who’s neurodivergent or sensory-sensitive, harsh or strong lighting can feel overwhelming or even distressing, so having control over light temperature, color and sources allows people to feel safe, calm and in control of their space.”
4. How to Create a Supportive Home Environment for Someone Sensitive to Light
“The actual physical accommodations vary wildly by person and will depend on the layout of the house and the lighting too,” Kattekop says. “It’s often a case of trying different things and finding what works best through trial and error. Here are some lighting ideas our experts suggest considering.
“The actual physical accommodations vary wildly by person and will depend on the layout of the house and the lighting too,” Kattekop says. “It’s often a case of trying different things and finding what works best through trial and error. Here are some lighting ideas our experts suggest considering.
- Layer lighting. “The use of layered lighting in a home, rather than all above head level, helps not only to create a calmer feel, but to curate shadows. Shadows can be used to ‘shape’ a space,” says Sophia Fish of Golden Feathers Interiors. Creating these restful pockets of shade can be helpful for those with light sensitivity.
- Have adjustable options. Jameson suggests replacing cool white bulbs with warm white or full-spectrum options and adding plug-in dimmer switches or smart bulbs with app control.
- Keep bulbs covered. “Use lamps with diffusing shades, such as linen, rather than exposed bulbs,” Jameson says. She also suggests adding clip-on covers “to instantly soften lamps and harsh ceiling lights.”
- Create “low-stim” spaces. A “low-stim” space refers to a space with a reduced level of stimulating sensory input. “[This could be] a reading nook, bedroom or quiet corner with low-level, indirect lighting,” says Jameson, who suggests combining low-level lighting with other sensory-friendly design elements, such as tactile soft furnishings, plants or items that carry meaning.
- Add remote-controlled lighting. Lighting that can be controlled remotely can offer an easy and accessible way to lower or dim lights, which is particularly useful in a child’s room, Fish says.
- Install blackout blinds. Jameson suggests keeping bedrooms dark and restful with blackout blinds and installing motion-sensor night lights for safety without disruption.
- Choose directional task lighting. “Sometimes it’s helpful to have a highly directional light for when you need to see small details but don’t want to light the entire space too brightly,” Kattekop says.
- Create zones. “Creating zones for someone with sensory differences is key in supporting better regulation,” Fish says. “Using a lower-level lamp on a side table in a comfortable area to sit [for example], helps create a zone for taking five minutes out.”
5. Lighting Triggers to Avoid
You might also want to identify and avoid any lighting triggers to create a home that feels soothing and restful.
“This is individual, so it’s all about what causes problems for that particular person,” Kattekop says. “But lights that flicker or buzz are often a no-no, as are very bright lights that flood the entire space. Another problem can occur when light switches are difficult to access or lighting isn’t adjustable according to the needs of the situation.”
Your Room-by-Room Guide to Inclusive Design
You might also want to identify and avoid any lighting triggers to create a home that feels soothing and restful.
“This is individual, so it’s all about what causes problems for that particular person,” Kattekop says. “But lights that flicker or buzz are often a no-no, as are very bright lights that flood the entire space. Another problem can occur when light switches are difficult to access or lighting isn’t adjustable according to the needs of the situation.”
Your Room-by-Room Guide to Inclusive Design
6. How a Professional Can Help
Professionals can help homeowners create a custom solution. “A good designer will listen to their client and ask the right questions,” Jameson says. “They’ll notice how someone responds to light, texture, color and sound — all key sensory elements.”
“Interior designers with knowledge of the lighting scales and the effect they have on us and our homes will be able to guide you in making the correct decisions on not only style, but bulb brightness and temperature, too,” Fish says.
Professionals can help homeowners create a custom solution. “A good designer will listen to their client and ask the right questions,” Jameson says. “They’ll notice how someone responds to light, texture, color and sound — all key sensory elements.”
“Interior designers with knowledge of the lighting scales and the effect they have on us and our homes will be able to guide you in making the correct decisions on not only style, but bulb brightness and temperature, too,” Fish says.
6. How to Create a Sensory Profile of Homeowner Needs
Homeowners know their homes routines better than anyone. Designers should ask them to explain how they use their spaces so they can advise them correctly, Fish says.
A good designer works with homeowners to build up a sensory profile before creating a lighting plan. “It starts with listening and observing,” Jameson says. “I often ask: When do you feel most calm at home? Or are there places you avoid — and why? We’ll walk through routines, function of rooms and identify triggers. It’s less about aesthetics, more about how the space makes you feel.”
Homeowners know their homes routines better than anyone. Designers should ask them to explain how they use their spaces so they can advise them correctly, Fish says.
A good designer works with homeowners to build up a sensory profile before creating a lighting plan. “It starts with listening and observing,” Jameson says. “I often ask: When do you feel most calm at home? Or are there places you avoid — and why? We’ll walk through routines, function of rooms and identify triggers. It’s less about aesthetics, more about how the space makes you feel.”
“I specialize within design for neurodiversity and sensory design and learning about the personalities and needs of everyone living in the home is the first step,” Fish says. “This also helps individual family members better understand the needs of each other. Our homes are made up of both neurodiverse and neurotypical minds and all homes have sensory needs to be met.”
“Every person and every home is unique, so the most important thing is to be aware of that and willing to adjust until it’s exactly right,” Kattekop says.
How to Design a Home for Neurodiversity
“Every person and every home is unique, so the most important thing is to be aware of that and willing to adjust until it’s exactly right,” Kattekop says.
How to Design a Home for Neurodiversity
Tell us: Have you designed the lighting in a home to be more comfortable for those who are sensitive to light or have special needs? Share in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Houzz Pro Forum
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Houzz Pro Forum
Sponsored
While anyone can experience it, some neurological conditions can result in a greater sensitivity to light in an indoor space. “A few examples [of possible conditions] are autism, ADHD, dyslexia, photosensitive epilepsy, [chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis] or some migraine disorders,” Kattekop says.
“But there are over 600 neurodivergent conditions we’re currently aware of, so a definitive list is impossible. It’s also important to remember that some people have traits without meeting the threshold for diagnosis — so someone might, among other things, be sensitive to light without having or qualifying for a diagnosis, or they may not be diagnosed for other reasons,” Kattekop says.
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software