People are intimidated by the process of selecting lighting for their homes, but they don’t need to be. Here are some easy ways to simplify things.
Experienced designers know that lighting is an essential ingredient for a well-appointed room and not the afterthought many people consider it. And homeowners tempted to spend their time agonizing over floorplans and furnishings, need to remember that lighting transforms a space – not just by brightening up dark corners but also by setting the mood.
Light is powerful. The right light lifts spirits, inspires tranquility, and influences productivity. In our homes, the light brightens simple moments like our morning routines or the time we spend with family and friends
In contrast to many other lighting fixtures, wall sconces are appropriate in nearly every room in your home. From the patio to the bedroom, the entryway to the laundry room, wall-mounted workhorses elevate the style and beauty of a space.
It’s all about layers.
The consensus among designers (our team included) is that you need multiple light sources in a room. Layered illumination is essential: each room needs a mixture of lighting, including accent, task, and overhead lights.
In the living room, start by hanging a decorative ceiling fixture like a pendant or chandelier near the room’s center. From there, look to the outer edges for downlighting to gently wash walls, art, and window treatments with warm and functional illumination. You can achieve this through valance lighting, soffits, or even floor lamps that bounce light off the ceiling.
And, depending on your room’s layout, accent light can be used to accentuate artwork, with table lamps placed beside seating for an additional layer of light. The goal is to create a contrast between light at the room’s center and the perimeter and brighten the dark spaces in between. The subtle interplay between dark and light creates appeal in your living spaces.
Don’t hold back in the kitchen.
Forget ambiance; in the kitchen, it’s all about bright light.
Install recessed lights or high-hats along the edge of your kitchen ceiling to flood the space with light. And hang pendants over the island for comfortable illumination that doesn’t take up counter space. You’ll see guests without looking around a hanging fixture as long as you don’t position them too low.
Don’t forget under-cabinet lighting. Run LED light strips beneath your upper cabinets to create an evenly lighted counter space for cooking and food preparation.
Think about the orientation of your room.
North-facing rooms without direct sunlight require more thought. Spread horizontal light throughout the space by installing recessed fixtures at the perimeter of a north-facing living room with a decorative pendant at the room’s center. From there, use table lamps to illuminate dark corners and wall sconces to highlight the art or architectural features.
Use a similar strategy in dark bedrooms, combining a central hanging pendant or chandelier with subtle up-lights in the room’s corners, bedside lamps for reading, and wall sconces where it makes sense for extra style and illumination.
Get rid of lousy bathroom lighting.
Too many bathrooms use recessed fixtures over the sink that cast unflattering shadows. Instead, choose wall-mounted sconces to cast even illumination across your face in the mirror.
And create a sense of spa-like luxury and intimacy with a sculptural pendant lamp over the tub. Also, consider using LED strip lighting beneath floating shelves to cast a warm glow over your bathroom floor.
Brighten up the corners.
It’s easy to use an oversized floor lamp to brighten up an empty and dark corner. The trick, however, is finding a lamp in a finish and material that complements the surrounding space, turning your lonely corner into a polished and intentional part of the overall room design.
Go light on the overheads.
Excessive overhead lighting generates spots and undesirable shadows – use this style of lighting sparingly. Instead, hang a large chandelier or pendant in common areas, and in the kitchen use globe fixtures for even lighting that leaves countertops open. Try floor lamps and wall sconces in living rooms, and hang a sculptural centerpiece above the table to create functionality and depth in a dining room.
Use ambiance to your advantage.
A simple way to adjust the light in a room throughout the day is by using a dimmer on each fixture as opposed to replacing wall switches with a dimmer to change every light at once. And in the bedroom, use a bedside light with both a dimmer and movable shade for extra flexibility.
Choose your bulbs wisely.
For inviting and warm light, choose your bulbs carefully. Stick with a range of 2,700 to 3,000 kelvin, usually advertised as “warm white.” As you approach the upper reaches of the color-temperature range, more blue is introduced, giving your home the harsh look of a warehouse. Use bulbs advertised as “daylight” in utilitarian spaces like your garage.
