7 Common Hospitality Lighting Design Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Lighting can make or break a guest's experience. It influences mood, perception, and even how long someone lingers in a space. Yet despite its importance, hospitality lighting design remains one of the most overlooked: and misunderstood: elements in hotel and boutique property projects.

For interior designers, architects, and boutique hotel owners, getting lighting right isn't just about aesthetics. It's about creating memorable guest experiences that drive reviews, repeat visits, and brand loyalty. The difference between a forgettable stay and an unforgettable one often comes down to how light moves through a space.

Here are seven common hospitality lighting design mistakes we see time and again: and practical strategies to avoid them.

1. Using Harsh or Incorrect Color Temperature

One of the most frequent missteps in custom lighting for hotels is selecting the wrong color temperature. Lighting that runs too cool (above 4000K) creates a sterile, almost clinical atmosphere. Guests may feel like they've walked into a hospital rather than a relaxing retreat. On the flip side, overly warm lighting can muddy colors, make skin tones appear tired, and create a dated ambiance.

How to avoid it: Stick to warm tones between 2700K and 3500K for guest rooms, dining areas, and relaxation spaces. Reserve neutral light (closer to 4000K) for functional areas like bathrooms and hallways where clarity matters. If you're using dimmable fixtures, opt for bulbs that shift warmer as they dim: this mimics natural light behavior and feels intuitively comfortable to guests.

2. Over-Relying on Overhead Lighting

It's tempting to flood a space with recessed downlights and call it done. But this approach creates flat, uninteresting environments with harsh shadows and uneven pools of light. Guests notice when a room feels "off," even if they can't articulate why. More often than not, the culprit is an over-reliance on ceiling fixtures without supporting layers.

How to avoid it: Embrace layered lighting. Combine ambient overhead lighting with accent lights to highlight architectural features and task lighting for functional areas like desks, reading nooks, and vanities. In bathrooms, position lights at the sides of mirrors rather than above: this eliminates unflattering shadows on the face and dramatically improves the guest experience lighting.

3. Choosing the Wrong Fixture Scale

Scale matters more than most people realize. An undersized chandelier in a grand lobby looks lost and cheap. Oversized pendants in an intimate dining space feel oppressive. When fixtures don't match the proportions of a room, the entire design suffers.

How to avoid it: Always consider ceiling height and room volume when selecting fixtures. An 18-inch pendant might look perfect in a space with 9-foot ceilings but appear underwhelming in a room with 12-foot ceilings. For long tables or bars, consider linear fixtures or grouped pendants that fill the visual space appropriately. When in doubt, go slightly larger: fixtures tend to look smaller once installed than they do in showrooms.

4. Assuming More Light Equals Better Light

There's a persistent myth that brighter is always better. In reality, over-lighting a space can flatten textures, create uncomfortable glare, and make environments feel harsh or clinical. This is especially problematic in hospitality settings where ambiance directly impacts guest satisfaction.

How to avoid it: Match lighting intensity to the function of the space and the time of day. A hotel restaurant, for example, might benefit from brighter lighting during breakfast service but should shift to low-intensity, intimate lighting for dinner. Installing quality dimming systems gives you flexibility to adapt throughout the day. Remember: shadows and contrast add depth and interest to a space. Don't eliminate them entirely.

5. Selecting Fixtures Based on Price Alone

Budget constraints are real, but choosing fixtures purely based on cost often backfires. Low-quality fixtures vary wildly in color rendering, beam control, and dimming performance. You might end up with lights that flicker, shift color over time, or create distracting hotspots. These issues accumulate and ultimately cheapen the guest experience.

How to avoid it: Before committing to any fixture, request samples and create mockups. Test how fixtures perform when dimmed. Evaluate color rendering against fabrics, art, and finishes you've specified. High-performance fixtures with better optics, tunable white options, and true-to-life color rendering are worth the investment: especially in guest-facing areas where first impressions matter most.

This is where working with a dedicated lighting partner pays dividends. At Doua Design, our in-house artisan team specializes in custom lighting for hotels that balances beauty, performance, and longevity.

6. Neglecting Lighting Maintenance

Even the most thoughtfully designed lighting scheme falls apart without proper maintenance. Burnt-out bulbs, dusty fixtures, and mismatched replacement lamps signal neglect to guests. It doesn't matter how stunning your original design was: if maintenance lapses, so does perceived quality.

How to avoid it: Build maintenance into your project planning from day one. Specify long-lasting LED solutions that minimize replacement frequency. Create a maintenance schedule that includes regular inspections and cleaning. Budget specifically for upkeep: it's not an afterthought but an essential part of sustaining your design vision.

For boutique hotel owners, consider partnering with a lighting manufacturer who can supply consistent replacement components years down the line. Nothing undermines a cohesive design faster than mismatched fixtures.

7. Failing to Create Variation Across Spaces

Monotonous lighting throughout a property tells guests there's nothing special here. When lobbies, hallways, restaurants, and guest rooms all feel the same, you've missed an opportunity to guide guests through a curated journey. Lighting should shift and adapt as guests move through different experiences.

How to avoid it: Treat each area as its own lighting environment. Lobbies benefit from dramatic focal points: think sculptural chandeliers or accent-lit artwork. Hallways can use softer, wayfinding light that feels transitional. Guest rooms need flexible layers that adapt from energizing morning light to cozy evening ambiance. Restaurants and bars deserve their own distinct moods.

The key is variation with cohesion. Different doesn't mean disjointed. Your lighting choices should reinforce your brand story while giving each space its own character.

Why Bespoke Lighting Makes the Difference

Boutique hotel design trends are moving decisively toward custom, artisan-crafted fixtures. Generic, off-the-shelf lighting simply can't deliver the distinctiveness that today's travelers expect. They want experiences that feel personal, curated, and intentional.

This is where hospitality lighting design becomes a true differentiator. Custom fixtures: designed specifically for your space, your brand, and your guest experience: transform lighting from a functional necessity into a design statement.

At Doua Design, we work directly with interior designers, architects, and hotel owners to create bespoke lighting solutions that solve the problems outlined above. Our in-house artisan team brings decades of craft expertise to every project, ensuring fixtures that perform beautifully, install seamlessly, and maintain their quality for years.

If you're planning a hospitality project and want to avoid these common pitfalls, explore our portfolio or get in touch to discuss how custom lighting can elevate your guest experience.

Great lighting isn't accidental. It's the result of intentional choices, quality craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of how light shapes human experience. By avoiding these seven mistakes, you'll be well on your way to creating spaces that guests remember - and return to - again and again.