Customers in my area are very fond of skylights, but I find them difficult to work around. They become black holes at night and usually occupy space where I would like to put lighting. Any suggestions?
Skylights are a great source of illumination during the day, but at night they do become black holes. There are a few options to consider to help combat the effect. One would be to install lighting in the light well if it is deep enough (two feet or more). I have used step lights that can provide a subtle glow of illumination without being too overpowering. Skylights with very deep lightwells can be pretty unattractive.

Another option I often suggest to homeowners who have deep lightwells is to install a frosted inset window casing that is parallel with the floor. This adds a clean architectural detail and allows the installation of lighting above the window so that it provides light at night as well as during the day. The frosted glass also helps diffuse the light coming in during the day. A clear skylight projects a hard beam of light that matches the shape of the skylight. This square of light can visually overpower the room during the day. This new window can be hinged to allow access into the lightwell for washing or replacement of bulbs.

With new construction, I suggest creating a series of step details that hide a linear light that runs around the perimeter of the opening. This doesn't keep the skylight from going black at night, but it does add some visual interest both at night and during the day.

If you want to put lighting where a skylight is in the way, you can consider using recessed adjustable fixtures flanking the skylight or mono-points with single track heads on the sides of the lightwell.

QUICK TIP: If you have not specified your skylights yet, I suggest selecting ones with a white opal finish. This diffuses the light and distributes it more evenly into the room.