The Influence Of Lighting On Human Psychology In Interior Spaces

Abstract

Lighting is often treated as a practical requirement: it helps people see, move safely and complete everyday tasks. Yet the experience of a room is shaped by much more than visibility. The brightness, colour appearance, direction, timing and distribution of light can influence how a space is perceived and how people feel within it. This paper reviews research connecting indoor lighting with mood, alertness, circadian rhythms, cognitive performance, visual comfort and spatial perception. It brings together findings from lighting science, environmental psychology and interior architecture, while recognising that responses vary with the person, task, time of day and wider environment. The discussion considers daylight and electric light, illuminance, correlated colour temperature (CCT), glare, contrast, layered lighting and dynamic control. It also outlines a practical research method that can be used by interior design students to investigate user responses in real spaces. The paper argues that psychologically responsive lighting is not achieved by simply making an interior brighter or selecting one preferred colour temperature. It requires a balanced approach that connects measurable lighting conditions with users’ reported experiences. The paper is a literature-based review, not a report of new experiments; no original participant results are claimed