First-Fix Lighting Plan Ireland 2026: Room-by-Room Checklist for a Coherent Second Fix
First fix is the only moment to get the wiring right — before the plasterboard closes everything in.
Written with input from a Safe Electric-registered electrician.
Why a lighting plan at first fix saves money
The most common misconception about first-fix lighting planning is that it's an extra cost. It's the opposite. A coherent plan agreed before first fix means you buy the right fittings once. You don't pay an electrician to chase walls because a switch position was wrong. You don't retrofit dimmer circuits because nobody thought to pull neutrals at the right time.
You can spend the same amount of money on a generic layout with evenly-spaced downlights as on a considered scheme with layered lighting from ceiling to floor — but the considered scheme will look and feel significantly better, and it leaves budget for nicer fittings at second fix because the structural work is done efficiently. The decisions made in the ten minutes it takes to walk a room at first fix determine what the room is capable of for the next twenty years.
Before the cables go in
Three sets of decisions need to be locked before any cable is pulled: the design palette that gives your home visual coherence, the compliance requirements that keep it safe, and the wiring logic that keeps it flexible for years to come.
Pre-design decisions that lock in cohesion
Choose a consistent family of finishes — warm brass and matte black, for example — that works across rooms. Keep junction box trims and visible hardware in the same family where possible. For colour temperature, 2700–3000K feels warm and welcoming in most Irish homes. Hold CRI at 90 or above in kitchens and bathrooms where truer colour rendering matters. Think of CRI as the colour fidelity score: high CRI makes materials and food look accurate under artificial light.
Consider beam angles early: narrower beams for accents, wider beams for a general wash. Plan baffles or soft lenses for living rooms and bedrooms where glare will be an issue at seated eye level. A coherent plan lets you swap individual products if stock shifts without breaking the overall look, because the finish palette, colour temperature, and form language are already fixed.
Compliance: bathroom IP zones and Irish electrical standards
Safety and compliance are planned, not retrofitted. Ireland's IS 10101:2020 has been amended by A1:2024, with AC2:2025 context. The update strengthens safety and energy-efficiency requirements in domestic design. Designers increasingly prefer individual RCBOs for lighting circuits to improve fault isolation. See the NSAI notice on IS 10101:2020+A1:2024 and the Engineers Ireland amendments overview for context.
For bathroom zones and IP ratings, plan fittings by zone in line with BS 7671 practice:
| Zone | Location | IP minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside bath or shower | IPX7 | SELV only — 12V max |
| Zone 1 | Above bath/shower to 2.25m | IPX4 | IPX5 where jets likely |
| Zone 2 | 600mm outside Zone 1 | IPX4 | IPX5 where jets likely |
| Outside zones | Rest of bathroom | IP20 min | Consider splash risk regardless |
First-fix wiring checklist
Walk through this checklist on site with your electrician before any boards go up. What you wire at first fix decides how flexible your home will be five and ten years from now.
- Provide a neutral at each switch position where feasible — supports smart controls and a wider range of dimmers
- Use deep back boxes (35–47mm) to accommodate dimmer modules and future smart bridges
- Pull spare cores or install conduits to feature lighting positions, mirror niches, and alcoves
- Map two-way, three-way, and intermediate switching for stairs, landings, and long corridors — record on a switching logic plan
- Keep ELV and LV cabling segregated — plan driver and hub locations in accessible voids or cupboards
- Prefer RCBOs on individual lighting circuits for discrimination and faster fault finding
- Agree back-box positions and depths before boarding to avoid clashes with cabinetry and architraves
- Coordinate electrical first fix with UFH contractor — both require access to the same floor and ceiling spaces
- Fit 5-amp switched sockets in sitting rooms and bedrooms for future floor and table lamps
Document these decisions. A one-page plan kept on site saves time and avoids guesswork when trades change over.
Fittings and technical decisions
Once the wiring logic is agreed, two technical areas need to be resolved before any product is ordered: how recessed fittings interact with the building fabric, and how dimming will be controlled across each circuit.
Downlights: fire rating and insulation
Recessed fittings can compromise fire and acoustic performance if the decisions are rushed. These rules are non-negotiable.
- Maintain the ceiling's tested fire performance — use fire-rated luminaires or tested fire-stopping accessories as specified
- Don't cut holes until the final layout is agreed — oversized apertures reduce fire integrity
- Respect manufacturer clearances: integrated downlights often need 50mm or more of free space above and specific distances from insulation
- If your chosen fitting is not insulation-contact rated, maintain clearances or specify insulation guards
- For LED strip and niche lighting with remote drivers, designate accessible locations for drivers and keep access panels where needed
Treat every cut-out and driver location as part of the building fabric, not an afterthought. See SparksDirect's guide to fire-rated downlights for installer context.
Dimming and smart-ready planning
Good dimming is a feel thing: smooth, quiet, flicker-free from full output down to 5%. That requires a small amount of prep at first fix. Prefer trailing-edge dimmers for most modern LED loads — they run quieter and smoother at the low end. See Varilight's V-Pro setup guide and Lutron's trailing-edge lamp dimmer datasheet for technical detail.
Always test a sample pack before bulk ordering: one dimmer plus the exact lamp and driver combination you plan to use. Watch for dropout, shimmer, or buzz at low brightness. Confirm driver types — ELV versus constant-current or constant-voltage — and match the dimmer method accordingly. For smart-ready wiring: neutrals at switches, spare cores for scene control or PIRs, Cat6 to hub locations if required by your chosen system.
Room-by-room notes
Think of each room as a layer within one story. The palette, colour temperature, and form language maintain continuity. The layers and switching give each space its own function.
Kitchen
Pair ambient light from a few downlights or a flush fitting with task lighting over worktops and the island, plus a small accent layer. Target CRI 90 or above at task areas. Consider 2700–3000K for comfort in the eating zone. Keep drivers for under-cabinet strip lighting accessible. Don't position downlights in the gap between counter and island — they'll light the floor rather than the worktop. Browse spotlights and downlights for recessed kitchen options.
Bathrooms
Apply zones and IP ratings strictly. Add vanity lighting at mirrors with good glare control — a common omission that makes bathrooms feel dim at the sink where you need clarity most. Coordinate with fan isolator and mirror demister wiring where applicable.
Living room
Combine a centrepiece pendant or cluster fitting with perimeter downlights on a separate circuit, plus accent positions for shelving and artwork. Prioritise dimming on all circuits. Open-plan spaces benefit from separate circuits for the kitchen and sitting area so each zone can be controlled independently in the evening.
Bedrooms
Warm colour temperature (2700K is ideal), reading lights with local switching at the bed, two-way switching at the door and bedside, wardrobe task lighting where useful. Switched 5-amp sockets for bedside lamps avoid trailing cords across the floor. See our guide on built-in bedside lights for Irish homes for wiring and product options.
Halls and landings
Two-way or three-way switching and occupancy sensors for safety and convenience. Consider low-level night lighting for stair treads — wall-recessed stair lights installed at first fix are invisible when off and effective when needed, particularly in houses with young children.
Exterior
Choose IP ratings appropriate to exposure — IP65 in direct spray zones is typical. Ensure RCD protection and safe isolation for maintenance access. Plan garden lighting circuits at first fix even if you don't install the fittings immediately — it's a fraction of the cost to pull cables now versus chasing through finished landscaping later. Browse outdoor lights for IP65-rated options.
Planning, cost and procurement
A well-designed scheme still fails if the budget isn't realistic or the products don't arrive on time. These two areas are worth resolving together before second fix is booked.
What does a lighting plan cost in Ireland?
A professional lighting design consultation for an Irish home typically runs €300 to €800 depending on house size and the detail required. For a full scheme covering every room with circuit diagrams and product specifications, expect €600 to €1,200 from a specialist lighting designer. On a large self-build or significant renovation, this fee is usually returned many times over in avoided mistakes and better product choices.
For straightforward renovations and new builds where the homeowner is engaged in the process, a competent electrician with a clear brief can achieve a well-designed scheme without a separate lighting consultant. The brief needs to cover: switch positions, circuit groupings, dimming requirements, IP zones, and the intended fittings. This checklist is the starting point for that brief. SEAI offers grants for energy-efficient lighting upgrades as part of its home energy grant programme — worth checking before specifying fittings for a deep retrofit.
Procurement checklist
Lock procurement early — a well-designed scheme still misses the second-fix date if the products don't arrive, or arrive with the wrong dimmers.
- Confirm availability for all critical products before booking second fix — hold 10–15% contingency on trims and lamps
- Check returns windows and condition requirements — don't open bulk boxes until after your test pack passes dimmer compatibility checks
- Stage delivery: drivers and dimmers arrive early for testing; fragile pendants arrive closer to second fix
- Attach data sheets to your specification schedule so trades can verify IP ratings, fire ratings, dimming method, and cut-out sizes on site
Use this template to track each fitting:
| Room | Fitting type | IP rating | Lumens / CCT | CRI | Dimming | Fire rated | Qty | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Recessed downlight | IP20 | 600lm / 3000K | 90+ | Trailing-edge | Yes | 8 | Confirm before 2nd fix |
| Bathroom | IP65 downlight | IP65 | 400lm / 3000K | 80+ | Non-dim / trailing-edge | Yes | 4 | Confirm before 2nd fix |
| Sitting room | Pendant + floor lamp | IP20 | 800lm / 2700K | 80+ | Trailing-edge | N/A | 1+1 | Pendant closer to 2nd fix |
Lighting Dublin offers free delivery across Ireland on orders over €50 and 30-day returns — useful when ordering a test pack before committing to the full specification. Browse spotlights and downlights for recessed options suited to first-fix schemes.
Common mistakes at first-fix lighting
Most first-fix lighting mistakes are invisible until second fix — when fixing them is expensive. These six come up repeatedly on Irish self-builds and renovations.
Frequently asked questions
What is a first-fix lighting plan and when do I need it?
It's the coordinated wiring, switching, compliance, and procurement plan you finalise before plastering. The decisions made at first fix — circuit layout, switch positions, back-box depth, driver locations — determine what's possible at second fix. Changing any of these after the boards are up means chasing walls. Get the plan right before any plasterboard goes up, ideally before the first fix electrician is on site.
What's the difference between first fix and second fix lighting?
First fix is everything that happens before the plasterboard goes up: cable runs, back boxes, conduits, switch drops, and circuit planning. No fittings are installed at this stage — only the infrastructure that makes second fix possible. Second fix is when the visible work happens: luminaires, switches, dimmers, and pendants are fitted once the walls and ceilings are plastered, painted, and ready. The quality of your second fix is entirely determined by the decisions made at first fix. A poorly planned first fix limits what you can do at second fix — and fixing it afterwards means opening finished walls.
Do I need RCBOs on lighting circuits in an Irish home?
Many designers and electricians now prefer individual RCBOs for selectivity and easier fault isolation on lighting circuits. This aligns with the safety themes highlighted in the NSAI and Engineers Ireland overviews referenced above. Your Safe Electric-registered electrician will confirm the final circuit design based on your specific installation and the current IS 10101 requirements.
What IP rating do I need in an Irish bathroom?
Zone 0 (inside the bath or shower): IPX7 minimum, SELV only. Zones 1 and 2: IPX4 minimum, rising to IPX5 where water jets are likely. Outside the zones, consider splash risk regardless of the technical minimum. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions alongside the zone requirements, and use a RECI-registered electrician for the installation.
How do I test dimmer compatibility before buying in bulk?
Order one dimmer plus a single sample of each lamp and driver combination you plan to use. Fit and test before the second-fix date. Check for flicker at low brightness, dropout when dimming below 20%, and any audible buzz from the dimmer or the lamp. Only open the bulk order once the test pack passes. Trailing-edge dimmers are generally the right starting point for modern LED loads.
Do I need to coordinate lighting with underfloor heating at first fix?
Yes. Both UFH and electrical first fix require access to the same floor and ceiling spaces. If the UFH contractor and electrician work out of sequence, one trade's work can block or damage the other's. Agree the programme with your main contractor before either trade is on site. In particular, thermostat positions and any in-floor sensors need to be cabled before the screed goes down.
Can I do my own first-fix lighting plan without a lighting designer?
Yes, for most Irish homes. A competent electrician with a clear brief from the homeowner can achieve a well-designed scheme without a separate lighting consultant. The brief needs to cover switch positions, circuit groupings, dimming requirements, IP zones, and the intended fittings. This checklist is the starting point for that brief. For larger self-builds or complex open-plan layouts, a lighting designer's fee of €300–€800 is usually recovered in avoided mistakes.
Written with input from a Safe Electric-registered electrician. Always verify decisions against the current Irish standard (IS 10101), manufacturer instructions, and local site conditions before installation.