Lighting is becoming a more important part of how homeowners expect their spaces to look and function, with new research showing that those planning to invest in new lighting has almost doubled since 2023.
The Häfele UK Homes for Living report found that 17% of homeowners planning improvements intend to invest in new decorative or functional lighting, up from 9% in 2023. The findings also show demand for different types of lighting. Among homeowners who do not currently have layered kitchen lighting, 51% would like to add it. The same proportion of those without cabinet or integrated lighting would like the feature, while 50% of homeowners without smart kitchen lighting say they want it.
Lighting is also becoming more closely linked to how homeowners want their spaces to work and feel. Of those surveyed,15% would prioritise better functional lighting in their next kitchen, while 11% would prioritise mood lighting that can change colour or brightness. Similarly, 16% of homeowners say being able to change lighting to create different atmospheres for cooking, working, entertaining or relaxing is important to them, compared with 12% in 2023.
The research suggests homeowners are also becoming less willing to compromise on lighting when budgets are under pressure. Just 3% say they would downgrade lighting next time they buy or update a kitchen, compared with 9% in 2023. Reinforcing lighting’s role, the research also found that 16% of homeowners identify poor or inflexible lighting as a major kitchen problem.
Jake Loughlin, Category Manager for Lighting at Häfele UK, said: “Lighting is one of the strongest examples of how homeowners now expect spaces to work harder. It is not just about making a room look good, but helping it function better and adapt more easily to daily life.”
Demand also extends beyond the kitchen. In bedrooms, 37% of homeowners would like integrated wardrobe lighting, 35% want smart lighting and 33% changeable lighting.
To support customers, Häfele Lighting brings furniture and room lighting together into one connected range. Products include its plug-and-play Loox LED lighting and pendant and room lighting options from Eglo. The range is supported by the firm’s Lighting Configurator, which helps customers create bespoke layouts with live material quotes before ordering through MyHäfele. Strip lighting can be cut to exact requirements through Service+ Customised, while the Lighting Design Service provides fully costed specifications and parts lists for more complex projects.
Jake concluded: “As expectations around lighting continue to evolve, our focus is on making it easier for our customers to turn their ideas into finished projects. Bringing the products, design tools and specialist support together provides the flexibility to respond to different customer requirements, from integrated furniture lighting to a complete room scheme.”
To access the full Homes for Living report, visit hafele.co.uk/homes-for-living
See also: New Häfele UK survey shows “homeowners warm to colour, but keep kitchen choices cautious”
Häfele UK and the Leicester Tigers Foundation recently brought together representatives from across the KBB industry for an event exploring accessibility, inclusive design and what it means to create spaces that work for everyone.
Held at Leicester Tigers’ stadium, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, the event built on the company’s longstanding partnership with the club’s Wheelchair Rugby team, which it has supported since 2018.
At the ‘Maximising the Value of Space Together: Through Design and Inclusivity’ event, guests heard directly from the Wheelchair Rugby team about their everyday experiences and training regime, and took part in conversations around disability, accessibility and inclusive living. Attendees also had the opportunity to try wheelchair rugby themselves, giving them a first-hand understanding of the sport and the experiences of the team.
The event was attended by representatives from several kitchen retailers and Häfele customers, including Howdens, Magnet, and Premiere Kitchens, creating an opportunity to explore how accessibility and inclusivity can translate into kitchen design in practice.
Gemma McRae, Chief Sales Officer for Key Accounts at Häfele UK, said: “One of the most valuable parts of the day was hearing directly from people about their own experiences. Accessibility can mean very different things to different people, so there is a lot to be gained from listening, asking questions and understanding the challenges people face in their everyday lives. It was also a useful opportunity to bring people from across the industry together and start a wider conversation around what good, inclusive design can look like.”
Lucy Rogers, Head of Sales at Premiere Kitchens, one of the attendees on the day, added: “What I’ll take away is the importance of looking at accessibility from the individual’s point of view. It highlighted how much difference small design decisions can make and gave us plenty to think about in terms of the questions we ask and how we approach kitchen design.”
Jamie Stead, MBE, Head Coach of Leicester Tigers Wheelchair Rugby Club, commented: “This was the first time we’ve delivered this kind of event with a corporate partner, and it worked really well because people were willing to get involved and experience something outside their usual environment – and comfort zone.
“Wheelchair rugby is a powerful way to break down barriers. Giving our players the opportunity to share their own experiences also helped guests understand accessibility in a much more personal way.”
