LED lighting has come a long way. Over the past decade, it’s transformed from a niche, expensive option into the standard for almost every application, commercial, industrial, residential, and everything in between. But like any technology, progress has come with both triumphs and a few missteps.
At Phlex Interiors, we’ve watched and participated in the evolution of lighting from the inside. So let’s take a moment to look at how far we’ve come, where things went right (and wrong), and how thoughtful lighting design is more important than ever.
The Good: Efficiency, Longevity, Control
Let’s start with the obvious wins.
LEDs have revolutionised energy efficiency. Compared to traditional halogen, fluorescent, or incandescent lighting, LEDs use a fraction of the power and last significantly longer. This has slashed energy bills and maintenance costs for countless clients.
But it’s not just about savings. LEDs have given us unprecedented control over light. From dimmability to tuneable white and full RGB colour systems. With the rise of smart lighting, automation, and human-centric lighting, we now have tools to create dynamic, responsive spaces that adapt to time of day, mood, or function.
The form factor of LEDs has also opened new doors in design. We can now light in ways that weren’t possible before with the likes of seamless linear lighting, ultra-slim profiles, and custom shapes that bend to fit the architecture rather than dictate it.
The Not-So-Good: Overengineering and the Race to Impress
But it hasn’t all been perfect.
With more options came more complexity and sometimes, too much of a good thing. In the pursuit of making spaces look futuristic or impressive, many projects went too far. We’ve seen lighting schemes that are simply over-engineered: too many fittings, too many layers, too many controls.
Instead of enhancing a space, these systems can overwhelm it. Rooms become washed out or overly bright, controls get confusing, and worst of all, the lighting no longer serves the people in the space. It becomes about the spectacle, not the function.
And then there’s the quality issue. As demand exploded, the market became saturated with cheap, subpar LED products. What looked good on paper often failed in real-world applications with flickering, failing drivers, poor colour rendering, or disappointing lifespans. The lesson? Not all LEDs are created equal.
Less Is More — When Done Right
What we’ve learned over the years is this: great lighting isn’t about how much you use, but how well you use it.
Sometimes all a space needs is a well-placed line of recessed light, a warm wash of indirect illumination, or a single pendant that does its job beautifully. With careful design and product selection, less really can be more.
The trick is understanding the purpose of each space. Are we trying to energise, relax, focus, or showcase? Lighting should serve the architecture, the people, and the intent, not compete with them.
Every Project Deserves Attention — And That’s Where We Come In
Every space is different. What works for a showroom might not suit a cozy café. A high-end office needs different lighting than a boutique retail environment. That’s why cookie-cutter solutions often fall short, and why we approach every project with fresh eyes.
At Phlex Interiors, we believe in taking the time to understand your space, your needs, and your vision. Whether it’s a simple retrofit or a full lighting strategy from the ground up, we guide you through it, step by step ensuring the final result is functional, elegant, and enduring.
Because when lighting is done right, you don’t just see the difference — you feel it.
Let us help you find the balance between innovation and intention. Reach out to Phlex Interiors — and let’s light your space the way it was meant to be.
