The moment lighting designer Kiersten Hoiland enters a room, she knows what’s wrong.
It’s a sixth sense, a blessing and a curse for the founder of Chicago-based Hoiland Studios. She could be dining at a multi-Michelin-starred restaurant and feel unwelcome due to the cold, dim lighting, or glittering unshaded fixtures could distract her from a conversation.
Hoiland has learned to pick up on emotions and responses resulting from a room’s lighting choices. Other patrons might feel the same and not realize it’s largely due to the lighting and its role in establishing a mood.
Lighting impacts a space’s functionality and ambiance more significantly than most realize, but that’s changing, noted Hoiland, who works primarily in residential projects.
“I feel like more people are appreciating better lighting. That’s really exciting, from my point of view,” she said in an interview. “Lighting makes such a big difference in a space.”
When Hoiland pursued her master's degree in interior architecture, lighting design took up maybe one class. She learned about the practice more from working a gig at a historic lighting fixture store in Pittsburgh and then working closely with Wilmette, Illinois-based designer Anne Kustner of AKLD Lighting Design before starting Hoiland Studios in 2018.
As a lighting designer, Hoiland works with clients to achieve their desired aesthetic and function through lighting. It also requires a bit of science, she said.
Hoiland and other lighting designers use what's known as a photometric calculation model as a final check to ensure the lumen output and beam optics of fixtures work to achieve the design’s goal. The model produces a heatwave image that can capture where light will go and highlight areas where more light is needed.
“I think people are looking for a formula, like I should have this many lumens in my room to feel like I can check it off the list," said Hoiland. “That is absolutely not how you should design light. … It’s about understanding the architectural aesthetic and how the space will be used, and then thoughtfully layering in the architectural lighting to highlight the architectural and visual focal points.”
In the popular open floor plan, lighting can delineate areas and their roles through intentional choices, such as dimming lights over a living room and kitchen while brightening and highlighting the dining area. In a millwork-rich historic home, lighting can emphasize and put craftsmanship on a pedestal.
On the other hand, when lighting is done incorrectly, it’s a glaring problem.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
What are the biggest lighting mistakes you see in a home?
“Mismatched color temperature because it really just draws your eye to the wrong one.
Another one is just having a single light source in this space, because you really want layers. At a minimum, use two layers of light, like a decorative fixture for ambient light and a lamp for task light. In more elevated spaces, we often use four or more layers to achieve a dynamic and balanced environment.
Improper fixture placement is another frequent mistake. I’ve reviewed many preliminary lighting plans that either had a grid of recessed lights in the ceiling or fixtures that were located too close to the walls without considering the ceiling height and proper offsets required. A recessed light placed 30 inches from the wall in a 10-foot ceiling might seem fine during the design phase, but if a 24-inch-deep cabinet is later installed, that light ends up just 6 inches in front of it, creating a harsh scallop on the face of the cabinet.
Installing a lot of recessed lights without a clear strategy can also lead to an overlit space and visual clutter, often referred to as ceiling acne.
The effects of cove lighting can also fall short if the size of the cove is too small, which creates a hot spot instead of an even wash of light along the surface.
Do not place soffit lights into an angled soffit, only a flat overhang or else you look into the light. Do uplighting on the exterior instead; it’s a much more elegant look.
If you use undercabinet lighting, ensure it’s placed away from the wall. Lighting too close to walls in general will create scallops.”
What’s a quick tip or must-know?
“A good rule of thumb for residential spaces is to use 2700 Kelvin, which gives off a warm, inviting glow. If the space has a lot of white finishes, you might consider bumping up to 3000 Kelvin for a crisper look. In the evening, when lights are dimmed, warmer tones often feel more comfortable to the eye.
Many of us are still used to seeing the very warm light from a dimmed halogen or incandescent bulb, but with LEDs, you have to specify the warm-dim feature if you want the same effect. I recommend testing a few color temperatures in your space to see what you like best.”
What lighting changes should someone make when trying to sell their home?
“Make sure your light fixture color temperatures are consistent throughout each room. If the recessed light trims are yellowed or if they are drooping from the ceiling, replace them with LED retrofit trims so they look fresh. Replace dirty or yellowed switches and dimmers with new devices and use screwless plates for an elevated look. If any rooms feel particularly dark, add a few lamps to brighten them up."
Word of advice to homeowners undergoing a remodel or new build?
“Don’t just let your electrician lay out the lighting without asking why. Have a review meeting, request samples of the lights, and ask what each lighting fixture is intended to do, and request product samples, if possible.
One of my industry friends said, ‘Would you let your plumber select your plumbing fixtures?’
Reach out to a lighting consultant, showroom, or look at different options online. If you want to work with a lighting designer, the best time to bring them in is after the floor plan and furniture layout are well developed but before everything is framed.”
How do you approach designing a space with light?
“I use an additive approach. Think about the decorative fixtures first, then layer in the architectural lighting based on the aesthetic, the function and the client’s preferences.
The lighting approach I’d use in a pre-war condo is entirely different from what I’d propose for a desert-modern home. Adding linear cove lighting to wash down a wall with ornate moldings in a vintage building would feel completely out of place.
The function of the space is next. Kitchens require brighter task lighting and it’s more important to highlight art or architectural elements in a formal living room. You’re not chopping carrots in there. In a home theater, you’d want lights with deep dimming.
Lastly, I always take into account the client’s unique preferences.
Some people dislike lamps or sconces, others prefer cooler color temperatures. And that’s completely fine. It’s their home after all. It’s all about customizing a solution that works for their lifestyle and the character of the home. A summer beach house will naturally call for a different approach than a cozy mountain retreat.”