Step inside the Lutron Experience Centre to see how premium lighting transforms real rooms.
Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting the Lutron Experience Centre in London — a space designed to let you see, feel, and try Lutron’s smart lighting systems in real rooms. Walking through their model kitchen, living room, and home office, it became immediately clear: lighting isn’t just functional — it shapes the atmosphere, sets the mood, and transforms the way you live in your home.
If you’ve ever walked into a beautifully lit restaurant, hotel lobby, or luxury show home and thought, “Why doesn’t my home look like this?” — the answer is usually the same: the lighting has been carefully designed, and the controls behind it are doing most of the magic.
For homeowners with an eye for design and a taste for luxury, Lutron RA2 Select offers a premium, high-quality lighting solution. It’s easy to install, intuitive to use, and designed to give your home a professional, designer feel.
One system in particular stood out during our visit: Lutron RA2 Select. It’s designed for homeowners who want high-quality lighting control, elegant keypads, seamless dimming and shading, and a system that simply works — without the complexity (or cost) of a fully customised HomeWorks project.
If you’re renovating, upgrading your interiors, or simply want your home to feel more refined, here’s how RA2 Select can elevate everyday spaces like your kitchen, living room, and home office.
Why lighting design matters more than you think
Great lighting does two things:
- Improves the way your home feels — whether that’s cosy, bright, relaxed, or dramatic
- Improves how you live — helping you cook better, relax faster, work more comfortably, or wind down in the evening
But the real secret to luxury lighting isn’t just the fittings. It’s the control. Being able to set the right balance of light — instantly — is what makes high-end homes look effortless.
This is exactly what RA2 Select does. Instead of juggling multiple switches or relying on basic smart bulbs, the system works at the circuit level, giving you smooth dimming, reliable control, and gorgeous lighting scenes, all triggered from beautiful wall keypads or discreet Pico remotes.
What is Lutron RA2 Select?
RA2 Select is a whole-home lighting and shading system that combines style, simplicity, and reliability. Unlike smart bulbs that can be accidentally turned off at the wall, RA2 Select controls the circuits themselves using in-line dimmers and switches. That means your lights work consistently — dimming smoothly and reacting instantly to scenes, schedules, and remotes.
At the heart is a “main repeater” — this connects to your home network and enables smartphone/tablet control (via the Lutron App), plus integration with broader smart-home ecosystems (voice assistants, audio systems, automatic schedules, geofencing, “Away” modes, etc.). You don’t need to buy every possible component — RA2 Select is modular. You can build up from a few Zones (e.g. kitchen lights + blinds) up to 100 devices across the home.
It’s scalable too: whether you’re starting with one room or a whole house, you can expand the system as you go. Add wireless keypads, Pico remotes, automated shades, and sensors for ultimate convenience — all without complicated rewiring.
How RA2 Select Transforms Your Rooms
Kitchen — perfect lighting for cooking, entertaining, and family life
Kitchens are multi-functional spaces that need different lighting moods throughout the day. RA2 Select allows you to create scenes that instantly adapt to the activity:
- Bright / Prep: Under-cabinet and ceiling lights at full brightness for chopping, cooking, and cleaning.
- Cook: Downlights dimmed slightly, pendants over the island at warm 80% brightness for a cosy, stylish feel while entertaining.
- Entertain / Dinner: Soft, ambient lighting, pendants glowing, and blinds adjusted for atmosphere.
- Night / Snack: Low-level lighting for late-night kitchen trips without harsh glare.
Control these scenes from elegant Pico keypads at the entrance or on the island, or from the Lutron App on your smartphone — perfect for when your hands are full or you’re arriving home with groceries.
Living Room — create the perfect atmosphere for every moment
The living room is where ambience matters most. RA2 Select lets you set the scene at the touch of a button:
- Movie: Ambient lighting dims, bias lighting behind your TV adds a subtle glow, and blinds close for privacy.
- Relax: Soft accent lighting for lounging, reading, or unwinding after a long day.
- All On: Bright, full lighting for cleaning, hosting, or playing games.
- Welcome / Guest: Balanced lighting that makes everyone feel at home.
A combination of engraved wall keypads and Pico remotes ensures your family and guests can adjust lighting effortlessly — no phone needed. Shades and blinds can be integrated into these scenes, so lighting and window treatments work in harmony.
Home Office — focus, video calls, and evening wind-down
Your home office deserves lighting as smart as your workday. RA2 Select allows you to create zones and scenes that adapt to your needs:
- Work: Bright, cool task lighting for maximum focus and productivity.
- Call / Video: Balanced lighting to look your best on video calls.
- Evening / Wind-down: Low ambient lighting for reading, relaxing, or wrapping up the day.
Control is effortless with a Pico remote at your desk, or set schedules via the Lutron App so your office lighting adjusts automatically throughout the day.
Why RA2 Select Feels Like a Home Upgrade
RA2 Select is Lutron’s whole-home lighting, shade, and more control system that sits between basic smart-bulb setups and the more complex, fully custom systems in their portfolio. It uses in-line dimmers and switches (not “smart bulbs”), which means control happens at the circuit level. That ensures consistency: lights remain dimmable and responsive regardless of bulb type — and you don't run into the problem of a smart bulb being turned off by a standard wall switch.
What’s more, RA2 Select uses Lutron’s “Clear Connect” RF wireless communication. That means switches, dimmers, Pico remotes or keypads, shades, sensors, and more communicate reliably, without relying on Wi-Fi, so the system stays responsive even if your home network is down.
Buy Lutron RA2 Select at Sparks
The difference with RA2 Select is in the experience: lighting becomes part of your lifestyle, not just a functional tool. It’s reliable, stylish, and flexible, perfect for homeowners who want:
- Effortless, one-touch control of lights and shades
- Beautifully coordinated scenes for every room
- Wireless convenience and clean wall-mounted keypads
- Expansion options to grow with your home
RA2 Select gives you professional-grade results without the complexity of larger systems, making it the perfect choice for high-quality home lighting.
The most striking thing about the Experience Centre wasn’t the technology — it was the feeling of the spaces. Switching between scenes made each room come alive: warmer, cooler, brighter, calmer. It’s the kind of change you don’t realise you’ve been missing until you see it done properly.
RA2 Select stood out because it offers this high-end experience without the need for a full, bespoke lighting system. It’s achievable, scalable, elegant — and perfect for homeowners who want a beautifully lit home without unnecessary complexity.
Thinking about upgrading your home lighting?
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, reworking your living room, or designing a home office, RA2 Select is one of the smartest systems to consider. With professional-grade reliability and a design-led feel, it brings a touch of luxury into everyday living.
If you’d like help designing a scene-based lighting plan — or want advice on Lutron products, keypads, or installation — we’d be happy to assist.
Recommended Lutron RA2 Products from Sparks Direct
To help you get started, here are some of our favourite RA2 Select products available on sparksdirect.co.uk
- Lutron RA2 Select In-Line Dimmer – Smooth dimming for ceiling lights and circuits.
- Lutron Pico 4-Button Scene Keypad – Wireless remote for effortless scene control.
- Lutron RA2 Select LED Dimmer – Perfect for modern LED lighting.
- Lutron Shades and Blinds Integration Kit – Combine lighting and window treatments for complete control.
- Lutron RA2 Select Main Repeater – Connect your system to the app and integrate with smart home assistants.
For bespoke lighting projects, tailored scene creation, or specific enquiries, contact us at Sparks Direct. Our team can guide you through designing the perfect lighting layout for your kitchen, living room, office, or entire home — making sure your investment truly elevates your lifestyle.
