Do you want to give your home a refresh without the hassle of a renovation? Proper lighting sets the mood of a room, complements natural light, and can help regulate circadian rhythms that affect sleep patterns, productivity, and relaxation. Light fixtures play an integral role in a room’s interior design, either seamlessly complementing decor or serving as statement-making elements. The best part? Lighting is usually one of the more cost-effective home projects and can be completed in a day or weekend. Win-win!

Whether you want to save or splurge, there is a lighting design idea for every budget. Here are a few projects to consider, along with what’s involved for each and their average costs.

Budget-Friendly $ | Up to $1,000

If you’re short on time or money, or want to make gradual home lighting improvements, consider one of these quick-win projects.

LED Lightbulb Upgrade

Average Cost: $200 to $500

If you’re still using incandescent lightbulbs, now is the time to make the switch to LEDs. This budget-friendly lighting project is great for DIYers and can be completed in an hour or two. Plus, it’s an easy way to improve your home’s safety and energy efficiency.

LEDs use 70 to 90% less energy than incandescents and last 30 to 50 times longer, so you can enjoy savings on your monthly utility bill and bulb replacement costs. LEDs also generate 90% less heat, so they are less susceptible to combustion or to causing household fires.

LEDs also have other capabilities to help you enhance and control your lighting room by room. Dimmable, color-tuning, and smart-app controlled bulbs are typically more expensive than standard LEDs, but they are one of the most cost-effective ways to customize your home’s lighting.

Porch Lights

Average Cost: $200 to $800

Ready for some easy curb appeal? Swap out your porch lights for updated fixtures that complement your home’s architectural style. This is also a relatively simple project that can be completed in a weekend. Your local lighting showroom is a great resource for outdoor lighting. Bring and share a photo of your home’s exterior, and showroom designers can help you select the best outdoor-rated styles in the appropriate size.

Keep in mind that the costs will vary depending on the fixtures you choose. If your home requires any wiring repairs or if you want to move fixtures, you’ll probably need to hire a licensed electrician to help, which will add costs.

Entryway Lighting

Average Cost: $300 to $1,000

Great entryway lighting creates a sense of arrival, makes a first impression for guests, and can set the tone for the rest of your home’s interior design. While the size and scale of the space guide light selection, most entryways look best with two or three different types of lighting. An overhead fixture, wall sconces, and table lamps are popular combinations, and there is a lot of room for creativity and style within this framework.

Whether you complete this project yourself or hire a pro depends on the fixtures you choose and your entryway’s ceiling height. The installation of new lights, relocating lights, or two-story foyers are typically best handled by an electrician, which will increase costs.

Mid-Range $$ | Up to $2,500

If you’re ready for a larger upgrade, consider these mid-range lighting ideas that can transform a room.

Bathroom Renovation

Average Cost: $300 to $1,500

Proper lighting is a major element in a bathroom because it is a type of functional design. It must serve a specific purpose or task and look great while doing it. The type of bathroom and its size are the factors that most determine costs. Lighting a postage-stamp powder room typically costs less than fixtures for a spa-inspired primary bathroom with multiple zones and vanities. Fixture quality and performance are also considerations and they span the spectrum in price, from entry-level to splurge-worthy.

Because of the safety risks associated with electrical wiring in wet and high-moisture rooms, we recommend working with an electrician for bathroom lighting updates. And if you’re planning lighting as part of a larger bathroom remodel, we also recommend consulting with a designer and electrician to help with any relocations that may be needed.

Kitchen Renovation

Average Cost: $800 to $2,500

As the hub of the home, kitchen lighting needs to bridge function and style. This is one of the most active rooms in the house, so lighting should make every task easier and more convenient while seamlessly complementing countertops, cabinets, hardware, and flooring.

Like a bathroom update, a kitchen lighting upgrade often includes several types of fixtures – ambient, task, and accent. Homeowners often have many questions about what lighting works best in a kitchen (so many choices!). Every kitchen and situation is unique, so we recommend consulting with a lighting showroom for guidance on quantity, size, style, and finish that reflects your preferences.

Security Lights

Average Cost: $600 to $2,500

Increasing visibility of your home and property can deter intrusion and increase your sense of security and peace of mind. The project can be as simple as adding a floodlight to the side of your garage or as complex as a full security system integration.

The most common security lights:

• Floodlights
• Motion-sensor lights
• Solar security fixtures
• Security lights with integrated cameras

The scale and complexity of your desired security lighting will affect the number and type of products you need as well as whether or not you need professional installation. Typically, the larger and more custom the project, the higher the price tag.

Recessed Lighting

Average Cost: $900 to $2,500

Modern and unobtrusive, recessed lighting hides fixtures inside the ceiling to offer a bright and even cast of ambient light while making rooms appear larger. Recessed lighting looks great in any room in the home and can be layered with other light fixtures for a balanced look and feel.

Recessed lighting requires cutting into ceiling drywall and may require cuts in walls to pull or add wiring. Post-installation drywall repair and painting may also be necessary. For these reasons, we recommend hiring a professional electrician, as they can consult on the quantity and type of recessed fixtures and provide installation that meets local code requirements.

Large-Scale or Luxury $$$ | $2,000 to $10,000+

Ready for a complete transformation? Here are a few lighting projects that will make a major statement.

Front Yard Landscape Lighting

Average Cost: $2,000 to $4,000

Make your home’s exterior look welcoming from day to night with a full-scale lighting design to highlight architectural and landscaping features. A combination of pathlights, spotlights, downlights, and well lights illuminate walkways, brighten trees and shrubs, and offer a subtle glow.

While a simple exterior lighting plan can be installed on your own, larger and complex installations with automation and whole-house integration will need a professional. These types of projects should also have a lighting plan to optimize quantity, placement and size. Share a photo of your home with a local lighting showroom designer, who can provide a complimentary and customized plan with specific product recommendations.

Backyard Lighting

Average Cost: $2,000 to $7,000

A well-lit backyard extends your home’s living space into the outdoors and into the evening. Al fresco dining, s’mores making, star gazing and more can be enjoyed by you and guests well after sunset. And because every backyard space is unique, most lighting designs must be, too.

Like most other lighting projects, the yard’s size and scope are the primary factors that influence installation costs. Lighting for a small covered patio will be much different than a custom lighting plan for a large backyard with multiple dining and lounging areas, a pool and spa, and extensive landscaping.

Whole-House Lighting Upgrade

Average Cost: $4,000 to $12,000

Ready to give your home a makeover? A whole-house lighting update involves replacing every fixture from top to bottom and can significantly affect how a room looks, feels, and functions.

A lighting project of this scope is usually part of a large-scale home remodel or a new construction home. They almost always require an electrician, and professional design guidance from a lighting showroom can be a major benefit. If these updates are for an older home, the electrical panel and wiring may also need to be replaced or brought up to code, adding to the project cost.

Total costs will vary based on the home’s size and fixture type. Smaller homes typically require fewer lights, and basic fixtures will cost significantly less than those from high-end manufacturers.

Start Your Lighting Project

Ready for your home refresh? Whether you want to upgrade a single room or desire a major transformation, a lighting project improves a home’s design, function, safety, and energy efficiency. Get started today by contacting your local Lighting One Showroom for design guidance and to see fixtures in person.