In my early years as an interior designer, I vividly remember walking onto job sites and realizing something critical was being overlooked; no one was truly owning the lighting design. Architects would draw in general light locations, but rarely did they specify actual fixtures. That job was typically left to the contractor or the electrician in the field. Unfortunately, that’s where good design intentions often went dark, literally.

Every light fixture comes with its own beam spread, color temperature (Kelvin), and lumen output (or candlepower), and those variables drastically affect how a space looks and feels. I knew that without careful lighting planning, even the most beautiful designs could fall flat. That realization was the spark that ignited my journey to becoming a lighting design expert, a missing piece in the puzzle of home design that I decided to own.

Why I Became a Lighting Design Expert

Patricia Davis Brown Speaking at KBIS about Lighting design

Why Lighting Matters More Than Most Realize

You can have the perfect tile, impeccable cabinetry, and stunning color schemes, but if the lighting is wrong, none of it shines the way it should. Too warm, and the room looks dingy. Too cool, and it feels sterile. Too dim, and your details disappear. Too bright, and you lose the mood. Light doesn’t just illuminate, it defines.

That’s when I made a bold decision: I would become a lighting design expert so my work would always be shown in its best light.

Becoming the Lighting Design Expert

I started taking every lighting course I could find, studying with engineers, attending trade shows, and poring over photometrics and fixture specs. I wasn’t just learning where to place a light; I was learning how to sculpt a room with it. Understanding how beam angles can wash a wall in softness or spotlight an architectural detail gave me creative control I never had before.

As my confidence grew, so did my results. My projects looked better, felt better, and most importantly, my clients noticed. I wasn’t just offering good design anymore, I was offering a complete experience, led by a lighting design expert who cared about every last detail.

Adding Lighting Design as a Business Offering

What started as a personal mission quickly became a business advantage. My clients began to request my lighting expertise specifically. They appreciated that I was thinking beyond the surface, considering how each space would live and breathe with light.

So, I officially added lighting design expert services to my firm. Today, I consult on both residential and commercial projects, charging an hourly consultation fee for my lighting expertise. It’s a valuable, billable service that elevates my brand—and my bottom line.

Standing Out from the Competition

One of the unexpected benefits of becoming a lighting design expert is how much it has set me apart from other designers. It’s a niche area of knowledge that many designers overlook or outsource. But not me. When I walk into a meeting and start talking about Kelvin temperatures or beam angles, no one challenges me, because frankly, they can’t.

This expertise has helped me win contracts over competitors, gain more referrals, and build trust with architects and builders who see me as a collaborator, not just a decorator. It’s a powerful differentiator in a crowded market, and it’s all because I stepped up as a lighting design expert.

Speaking on the National Stage

Because lighting design is such a critical yet under-discussed part of interior design, I’ve been invited to speak about it across the country. Whether it’s for trade associations, design conferences, or educational panels, I love helping other professionals understand just how impactful lighting is—not just for the client experience, but for elevating their careers as a lighting design expert.

Every time I share what I’ve learned, I’m reminded of that younger version of myself, frustrated that no one was specifying the right fixtures, determined to figure it out, and now grateful that I did. Becoming a lighting design expert didn’t just make my designs better—it made me better.

The Career-Defining Decision

Looking back, learning lighting design was one of the smartest decisions I’ve made. It gave me a deeper understanding of how people experience space, a new level of authority in my field, and a profitable service that continues to grow.

If you’re an interior designer reading this, wondering how to take your career to the next level, I urge you to explore lighting. It’s not just about bulbs and switches; it’s about bringing your designs to life in their truest form.

For me, becoming a lighting design expert wasn’t just about filling a gap in the industry. It was about taking control of the full visual story, so that every space I design doesn’t just look good… it glows.