In high-end homes and remodels across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Queen Creek, lighting is part of the design, not an afterthought. The right techniques highlight architecture, make rooms feel larger or more intimate, and turn a beautiful space into a memorable one. Here are the custom lighting techniques we install most, and what each one needs electrically.
Short answer: Popular custom lighting techniques include cove lighting, backlit stone and translucent panels, toe-kick and step lighting, wall grazing and washing, under- and in-cabinet lighting, linear architectural lighting and outdoor accent lighting. Each needs planned wiring, accessible LED drivers and compatible dimming, so plan them early, ideally while walls and cabinetry are still open.
This post covers techniques. For how the layers fit together, see our guide to layered lighting, and for color, our post on choosing LED color temperature.
What is cove lighting?
Cove lighting hides LED strips in a ledge, recess or crown detail so light washes up across the ceiling. It gives a soft, even glow with no visible fixtures, and it works well as ambient light in living rooms, primary suites and dining rooms. It needs a continuous channel built into the drywall or millwork, and a driver location you can reach later.
How does backlit stone or panel lighting work?
Translucent stone, glass and resin panels can be lit from behind with LED sheets or strips and diffusers, so the material glows and its natural pattern shows. Common spots include kitchen islands, bar fronts, feature walls and vanities. Even light depends on the spacing between the LEDs and the material, so the electrician, fabricator and designer need to agree on the details before the stone is cut.
What are toe-kick and step lights?
Toe-kick lighting runs LED strips under cabinets and vanities, and step lights sit low in stair walls or treads. Both create a floating effect and make a great night light for hallways, bathrooms and stairs. They’re usually low voltage, with drivers hidden in cabinets or nearby walls.
What is wall grazing and wall washing?
Wall grazing places fixtures close to a textured surface, like stone, brick or stacked tile, so light skims across it and brings out the texture. Wall washing sets fixtures farther back to light a smooth wall evenly, which works well for art walls. Both use recessed or linear fixtures planned at the right distance from the wall.
How should under-cabinet and in-cabinet lighting be planned?
Under-cabinet lighting is the most useful task light in a kitchen. In-cabinet and glass-front lighting shows off display pieces, bars and wine storage. Plan the wire exits, driver locations and switch or sensor control before cabinets are installed, and pick fixtures with matching color across the whole kitchen.
What about linear and architectural lighting?
Linear fixtures recessed into ceilings or walls create clean lines that suit modern homes, and floating shelves or niches can carry integrated LEDs. These details look simple but need precise rough-in, because there’s no room to adjust after drywall and finishes.
Which outdoor lighting techniques work best in Arizona?
Uplighting palms and desert plants, grazing stone walls, path and step lights, and lighting under pergolas and patio covers extend the living space after dark. Outdoor fixtures must be rated for wet locations, and outdoor circuits need GFCI protection. For rooflines, our permanent lighting adds app-controlled white or color light year-round.
What color temperature and controls do we recommend?
Our usual recommendation is 4000K with dimming on color-selectable fixtures, so you get clean, natural light every day and can switch to a warmer setting like 2700K or 3000K whenever you want. Keep one color temperature per room. For scenes and whole-home control, we install Lutron lighting controls. On the Ponderosa House bar and restaurant tenant improvement in Old Town Scottsdale, a Lutron system with a hub controller handles dimming and scenes.
What do custom lighting techniques need electrically?
- A lighting plan that shows every fixture, strip run and dimming zone
- Accessible locations for LED drivers and power supplies, never sealed behind finished walls
- Dimmers and drivers that are compatible with each other
- Neutral wires at switch boxes for smart controls
- Wet- or damp-rated fixtures where required
- Panel capacity confirmed, plus a whole-home surge protector to protect drivers and controls
The current electrical code requires whole-home surge protection when a home’s electrical service is installed or replaced, so we include it on every job that touches the panel and recommend it for every home. Our lighting installation page has more on how we plan and install custom lighting.
Custom lighting planning checklist
- Choose techniques room by room with your designer
- Lock in fixture and strip specs before rough-in
- Plan driver locations you can reach later
- Confirm dimmer and driver compatibility
- Choose 4000K color-selectable fixtures, or your preferred warmer setting
- Plan controls and scenes
- Confirm outdoor ratings and GFCI protection
When should I call an electrician?
Bring your electrician in during design, before walls and cabinets are closed. Afterward, call us if LED strips flicker, drivers buzz or feel hot, dimmers don’t work smoothly, or a fixture smells like burning. Turn the circuit off at the breaker only if it’s safe and dry to reach, and call 911 for any fire. Don’t open drivers or fixture housings yourself.
Serving Queen Creek and the East Valley
We design and install custom lighting in Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Florence, Scottsdale, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon, Sun Lakes, Tempe, Cactus Forest, Coolidge, Paradise Valley and Ahwatukee, including a job at The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Paradise Valley.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular custom lighting techniques?
Cove lighting, backlit stone and translucent panels, toe-kick and step lighting, wall grazing and washing, under- and in-cabinet lighting, linear architectural lighting and outdoor accent lighting.
When should custom lighting be planned in a remodel?
During design, before demolition and well before drywall and cabinetry. Many techniques need channels, blocking, wire exits and driver locations that are hard to add later.
Where do LED drivers go?
In a location you can reach later, like a cabinet, closet, attic access or service panel, never sealed behind finished walls. Drivers sometimes need replacing, so access matters.
What color temperature do you recommend for custom lighting?
Our usual recommendation is 4000K with dimming on color-selectable fixtures. You can switch to a warmer setting like 2700K or 3000K whenever you prefer.
Can custom lighting be controlled with scenes?
Yes. We install Lutron lighting controls so you can set scenes for each room or the whole home from keypads or an app.
Ready to plan your custom lighting?
Henderson’s Electric Solutions LLC is a family-owned electrical contractor in Queen Creek, owned by Randy and Tori Henderson. Randy is our licensed electrician (ROC CR-11 #341452), and we’re bonded, insured and BBB accredited. See our remodels, ADUs and additions page to learn how we work with homeowners and designers.
Call Randy at (480) 430-2775 or request an estimate online. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM, and we answer emergency calls 24/7. Solutions Only - No Excuses.