The Effects of Interior Lighting Design on User Perception and Spatial Experience

This study examines the effects of lighting design on user perception, emotional experience, and spatial identity in interior spaces. It reveals that light not only ensures visual adequacy but also plays a decisive role in individuals’ psychological well-being, wayfinding behavior, and emotional connection with the environment. The research is based on a qualitative literature analysis grounded in the disciplines of environmental psychology and phenomenology. In this context, light is discussed through the concepts of perceptual balance, sensory engagement, and spatial identity, emphasizing its multidimensional role in shaping spatial experience at both cognitive and emotional levels. Based on national and international sources published between 2014 and 2025, the study comparatively evaluates the effects of natural and artificial lighting on spatial atmosphere, psychological comfort, and user behavior. The findings indicate that lighting enhances user performance, a sense of tranquility, and belonging in various spatial typologies such as educational, office, and residential environments, while serving as an inclusive tool that supports sensory regulation for special user groups such as individuals with autism. Consequently, lighting design should be regarded not only as a formal element but also as a fundamental interior architectural component that defines the emotional and cognitive identity of space.