Learn why lights and shades matter more than most builders admit

A new home can look flawless and still feel uncomfortable. Rooms may feel harsh in the morning, flat in the evening, or oddly tiring to spend time in. Homeowners often assume it’s personal taste. In reality, it’s a design issue that shows up in new construction all the time: lighting and shading. They are typically treated as finishing details, added late in the process after layouts and budgets are already locked in. That approach ignores how light actually shapes daily life. It affects how your home feels at different hours and how comfortable it is to live in over time.

The good news is that this problem is avoidable. With thoughtful planning and the right guidance early on, lighting and shading can transform how a home feels to live in. Below, we’ll break down the most common mistakes built into new homes and why they keep happening. Let’s dive in!

SEE ALSO: Interior Designers Love Motorized Shades (And You Will Too)

The Lighting Mistakes Built Into Most New Homes

Most new homes rely almost entirely on overhead lighting. Recessed fixtures are laid out in clean grids and expected to handle every situation. In practice, this creates flat spaces, glare, and lighting that feels more commercial than comfortable.

Another common issue is treating every room the same. Kitchens, living areas, hallways, and bedrooms often receive identical lighting plans, even though they’re used very differently throughout the day. What works for food prep feels harsh in a living room and exhausting in a bedroom.

Light quality is also frequently overlooked. Cool, high-output bulbs are chosen for convenience or cost, not for how they make a space feel. Add in a lack of layered lighting, and many homes end up with lights that are either too bright or not useful at all.

The Shading Gap That Undermines Good Architecture

Many new homes feature expansive windows and beautiful views, but little thought is given to how sunlight will be managed. Glass is added for aesthetics, while shading is treated as an optional accessory instead of a design element.

Manual shades are the default choice, yet they’re often inconvenient and inconsistently used. Over time, they stay open when glare and heat become a problem, or closed when natural light would be welcome. The home never feels balanced. Without intentional shading, even the best architecture can feel uncomfortable, washed out, or overly bright for daily living.

The Early Choices That Make the Biggest Difference

Lighting and shading decisions are often pushed to the end of a project. By the time they’re discussed, layouts are set, budgets are tight, and standard electrical plans are already in place. The goal becomes finishing the house, not refining how it feels to live in.

At The Entertainer, however, we believe that timing is exactly why early choices matter so much. Small decisions made before plans are finalized can have a significant impact on how a home feels every day. For instance, deciding how bright a room should feel in the morning versus the evening, how lighting should be layered, and how sunlight will be controlled shapes daily comfort in lasting ways.

When lighting is planned around real routines, fewer fixtures are needed, and they work better together. Plus, when shading is designed alongside windows, glare and heat are managed without sacrificing natural light. Made early, these choices create homes that feel calmer, more comfortable, and easier to live in.

A Better Home Starts With Better Conversations

Most lighting and shading problems aren’t caused by bad design. They come from decisions that were never discussed at the right time. The difference is having the right conversations early. At The Entertainer, we prioritize clear communication with builders, designers, and homeowners alike, helping entire teams understand how light and shade affect daily life before choices are locked in.

If you’re building or renovating and want a home that feels comfortable at every hour, lighting and shading deserve more attention than they usually get. Contact our team today and discover how to change the way your home lives for years to come.