Start with a plan
Lighting Planning Guide
Good lighting starts with how you use a room. Explore the spaces you are planning, work through the key decisions, and gather the details that help turn ideas into a complete lighting plan.
Plan by room
Featured guide
How to Plan Kitchen Lighting
Bring general, task, accent, and decorative lighting together. Start with your cabinet layout and work surfaces, then plan island lighting, under-cabinet lighting, reflections, and separate controls.
Explore the kitchen guide →
Dining rooms & gathering spaces
Consider table dimensions, fixture size and hanging height, sightlines, and dimming for everyday meals and entertaining.
Explore dining-room lighting →
Bathrooms
Plan light around the mirror, reduce facial shadows, and consider room layout, light quality, and separate controls.
Explore bathroom lighting →
Outdoor spaces
Think through entrances, walkways, fixture exposure, and where light should fall without creating glare.
Explore outdoor lighting →Lumens, Color Temperature, and CRI
Learn what the numbers mean, compare familiar bulb outputs, and choose the brightness and color quality that suit your room.
Understand your light choices →Explore lighting decisions and finishing touches
How to Layer Lighting
Combine general, task, accent, and decorative light.
Choosing a Ceiling Fan
Compare room size, airflow, mounting, and controls.
LED Dimming and Lighting Controls
Match the controls to the light sources and daily routines.
Landscape Lighting Planning
Plan paths, gathering areas, and selected outdoor features.
Table and Floor Lamp Selection
Find useful reading light, comfortable shades, and the right scale.
Make the key decisions
What does the light need to do?
Combine general light for the room, task light where you work, accent light for features, and decorative fixtures that give the space character.
Where should fixtures go?
Use room dimensions, furniture and cabinet layouts, ceiling height, and sightlines to plan size and placement. Check the surfaces where light will land.
How should the light look?
Consider brightness, color temperature, and how finishes and colors appear under the light. Look for comfortable illumination with minimal glare.
How will you control it?
Plan separate controls for different activities and layers. Confirm that lamps, fixtures, and dimmers work together before selections are finalized.
Your lighting planning checklist
Bring these details together before choosing fixtures or meeting with your lighting professional.
- Room dimensions and ceiling heights
- Floor plan, furniture and cabinet layouts
- Photos of the room and inspiration images
- Activities and work areas that need light
- Existing fixture, outlet and switch locations
- Finish samples and preferred fixture styles
- Desired lighting layers and dimming needs
- Project budget, schedule and installation needs
Bring your plan to a pro.
Shop where the professionals choose to shop when providing lighting for their clients. Crown Supply lighting showrooms in Providence, RI, Milford, MA, and Webster, MA support projects across Rhode Island, surrounding Massachusetts communities, and eastern Connecticut. Bring your ideas, photos, and checklist.
Explore our lighting showrooms →Plan your showroom visit | Support for contractors and their customers