The aim with this design research is to increase the understanding of lighting quality by supplementing existing illumination knowledge with visual evaluation of light distribution in three-dimensional rooms. This paper is based on a pilot study including observations of twelve different lighting situations in two comparable scale-model rooms. The discussion that follows focuses the relation between light distribution and experienced spatial atmosphere. The primary purpose with the pilot study was to investigate methods to observe, as well as to develop hypotheses, about spatial atmosphere experience in relation to light distribution. Additionally, descriptive concepts are formulated. Furthermore, the consequences for spatial atmosphere experience are discussed in terms of light-pattern, rhythm and the experience of being enclosed or excluded by the light-room. A main result is how light distribution seems to affect if a room is experienced as understandable or confusing, calm or active. Light patterns on walls and in the ceiling seem to be more important than on the floor, yet a light patched floor may have large impact on the whole room atmosphere. Moreover the findings indicate a relationship between hard or soft light contrasts and warm or cold colour experiences.