Enhance Certificate in Residential Lighting Design

This course takes learners beyond the basics and into the heart of designing residential lighting that feels thoughtful, characterful, and genuinely lived-in. It blends the technical essentials with the subtleties of how people experience their homes at different times of day, and in different states of mind. Instead of relying on generic layouts or the latest trend, learners explore how light shapes atmosphere, clarity, comfort, and emotional tone, room by room.

The course moves from core principles of visual perception and light behaviour into practical, evidence-informed design techniques. Learners build confidence in balancing layers of light, selecting luminaires with purpose, and avoiding common pitfalls that undermine otherwise good schemes. The programme also brings in the realities of compliance, efficiency requirements, fire ratings, and IP zoning.

Delivery Method

55% self-paced, online

25% community based via discussion boards, and in-work application, assessed via a 1,500-word formative assignment

20% experiential through a real-world project

Who is this course for?

Perfect for those new to industry, aspiring, or existing lighting designers wanting to understand how compliance and design thinking come together in residential settings.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe how light affects human vision, perception, comfort, and emotional experience
• Select appropriate lighting distributions, colour temperatures, and beam angles based on the needs of a space
• Use layered lighting techniques to balance ambient, task, and accent lighting effectively
• Recognise and avoid common issues such as glare, cavern effect, harsh shadowing and visual flatness
• Apply practical placement principles for downlights, uplighting, wall washing, under-cabinet lighting, and exterior lighting
• Understand how efficiency regulations, fire rating requirements, and IP zoning influence product choice and installation 
• Develop and present a complete residential lighting proposal that reflects both technical understanding and design intention.

Next Steps

This course is part of The LIA Profession Map. We also have available:

• Enhance Certificate in Lighting Design
• Enhance Certificate in Lighting Sales Success
• Advance-level courses