Plan Your LightingWhat Does a Lighting Package for Renovation Actually Include?
Most homeowners underestimate what “lighting for renovation” covers. It is not just buying some bulbs at the hardware store. A complete lighting package for a Malaysian home typically includes:
Getting all of this from the same supplier - ideally one with ready stock and an on-site warranty - saves you coordination time and protects your renovation timeline.
What is a lighting package for renovation in Malaysia?
A complete renovation lighting package covers all fixture categories for a home: downlights, feature pendant, under-cabinet strips, ceiling fans, bathroom lighting, and outdoor lights. It is not just bulbs - it is a coordinated set of fixtures for every functional zone in the house.
Room-by-Room Lighting Checklist
Use this table as the foundation of your lighting brief for your ID or electrical contractor. Print it out or share it via WhatsApp.
| Room | Fixture Type | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Room | Recessed downlights (9W–12W, 3000K), ceiling fan | 6–12 downlights + 1 fan | Add track light for feature wall accent |
| Master Bedroom | Recessed downlights (9W, 3000K), ceiling fan with light | 4–6 downlights + 1 fan | Dimmable circuit recommended |
| Bedroom 2 & 3 | Recessed downlights (7W–9W, 3000K), ceiling fan | 4 downlights each + 1 fan | - |
| Kitchen (dry area) | Recessed downlights (12W, 4000K) | 4–6 units | Under-cabinet LED strip optional but highly useful |
| Kitchen (wet/yard area) | IP44+ surface mount or moisture proof batten | 2–3 units | Do not use non-IP rated fittings near water |
| Dining Area | Pendant / chandelier + 2–4 downlights for fill | 1 pendant + 2–4 downlights | Pendant height: 70–80cm above table surface |
| Bathrooms | IP44+ downlights or surface mount (4000K) | 2–3 per bathroom | Vanity mirror light improves grooming accuracy |
| Corridor / Staircase | Downlights (7W, 60° beam) | 2–4 per corridor | Motion sensor option for energy saving |
| Car Porch / Outdoor | IP65 flood light or wall lamp (6500K) | 1–2 units | IP65 minimum for outdoor exposure |
| Display Cabinets / Cove | LED strip light (12V/24V, 3000K) or T5 tube | Per linear metre needed | COB strip for smooth dot-free look |
What lights do I need for a new house?
At minimum: downlights for every room, ceiling fans for bedrooms and living areas, a pendant above the dining table, IP-rated fixtures for bathrooms and wet kitchen, and an IP65 outdoor light for the car porch. Track lights, LED strips, and cove lighting are valuable additions that are far easier to rough-in during the renovation than to retrofit later.
Track Lights and LED Strip Lights - Worth Adding During Renovation?
Yes - and the right time to add them is before the ceiling is sealed, not after.
Ideal for feature walls, dining table accents, and retail-style display areas at home. Adding a track rail during rough-in costs very little. Retrofitting it later means cutting the ceiling, which costs more.
Under-cabinet LED strip lighting transforms cooking area visibility. Cove lighting above false ceiling pelmet adds depth. Both need 12V or 24V power points roughed-in during renovation - impossible to add cleanly post-plaster.
The rough-in labour cost during renovation is minimal. The same work post-renovation involves hacking, replastering, and repainting. Do it right the first time.
Budget Tiers - What to Expect in Malaysia
These are indicative estimates for a 3-bedroom intermediate terrace or standard condo. Actual cost depends on room count, fixture choices, and whether you buy direct or through a contractor.
How much does renovation lighting cost in Malaysia?
For a 3-bedroom home, expect RM800–RM3,500 for quality LED lighting at mid-tier spec, lights only, excluding ceiling fans. Premium design fixtures and CRI 90+ products push this to RM3,500–RM8,000+. These are rough estimates - the best way to get an accurate figure is to bring your room list to our Kepong showroom or WhatsApp us.
Should You Buy Lights Yourself or Let Your Contractor Source Them?
- ✓ No contractor markup (typically 20–40% above cost)
- ✓ Direct warranty with the supplier - no middleman delay
- ✓ You choose exact specifications (Kelvin, CRI, wattage)
- ✓ Transparent pricing - you know what you paid
- ✓ Easier to reorder matching units later
- – Contractor chooses cheapest stock to protect margin
- – Warranty claims go through contractor, not supplier
- – No visibility into actual product specs or CRI
- – Harder to verify what was installed vs what was quoted
- – Replacement units may not match if contractor changes supplier
Osdin Lighting sells directly to both homeowners and contractors. You can walk in, pick your products, and have your electrician collect them - all with a direct warranty from us.
Should I buy lights myself or let my contractor buy?
Buying direct from a reputable supplier gives you direct warranty, eliminates markup, and lets you control the spec. The trade-off is that you take on the coordination of having lights ready for your electrician. For most homeowners with a clear timeline, buying direct is the better choice.
Open Sundays - Visit Osdin Lighting in Taman Ehsan, Kepong
One of the few kedai lampu buka hari Ahad di Kepong - Osdin Lighting is open every Sunday from 11am to 7pm. If weekday visits are difficult around your work schedule, Sunday is the perfect time to come in, see the showroom, and plan your renovation lighting with us.
We serve homeowners and contractors from Kepong Baru, Kepong Jinjang, Taman Ehsan, Sri Damansara, Mont Kiara, and greater KL. Ready stock across all categories - downlights, fans, T8 tubes, strip lights, flood lights, and more.
Related Guides
Sources & References
Standards and guidance we referred to when writing this guide.
- 1.MS 1525, Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Buildings (recommended lux levels), Department of Standards Malaysia (JSM)
- 2.ISO 8995 / CIE S 008, Lighting of Indoor Work Places, International Commission on Illumination (CIE)
- 3.The Lighting Handbook, Recommended Illuminance by Room & Task, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
- 4.Electrical Equipment Safety Approval (Certificate of Approval), Energy Commission Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Tenaga)