The right lighting isn’t just about making things brighter—it’s about setting the mood in each room, improving functionality, and making your home feel more inviting at any time of day. Whether you’re cooking dinner, relaxing in your living room, or getting cozy with a book, the right lighting can make all the difference!
Here are 3 simple lighting tips that can completely transform and elevate your space:
1. Layer Your Lighting for a Balanced Look
Great lighting isn’t just about one big ceiling fixture. You need a mix of overhead, task, and accent lighting in each room.
Think of a kitchen with decorative pendant lights over the island, under-cabinet task lighting, and recessed lighting. Or a bedroom with recessed lighting, a chandelier over the bed, and lamps on the nightstand for reading. These lights serve different functions in each room, but without the chandelier in the bedroom, or the pendants in the kitchen, you’d be missing a major style element.
Taking a layered approach with your lighting will not only keep your home functional and well-lit, but also gives you an opportunity to add a touch of elegance and personality to every room.
2. Choose Fixtures That Match Your Space & Set the Mood
When choosing your lighting, there’s two things to keep in mind:
- the style or look of the fixture, and
- how you want to use the space
The light fixture needs to align with the overall style and decor of the room. For example, install sleek, minimalist fixtures in modern spaces, and ornate crystal chandeliers in more traditional spaces.
Next, think about the mood you want to create. Soft, warm lighting and lamps work best in living rooms and bedrooms to create a cozy feel. Bright, focused overhead lighting is better for workspaces like the kitchen.
Pro Tip: A dimmer switch is a game-changer—it lets you adjust brightness based on the mood and time of day!
3. Make a Statement with Your Light Fixtures!
Light fixtures are more than just practical—they’re design elements that can completely change the look and feel of a room. A bold chandelier over your dining table or sculptural pendant lights in the kitchen can instantly add character to your home. Chandeliers are a great way to tell visitors exactly what your decorating style is!
Now, don’t get me started on builder-favorite “boob lights” – oops, too late. They make a statement alright, but it’s not the one you want. There are tons of options for flush mount light fixtures that can add beauty and style to your space, without resorting to upside down boobs on your ceiling. Here’s some of my favorite alternatives, but for this designer, literally anything is better than a boob light.
1. Flaire Fabric Semi Flush Mount | 2. Thurman 6″ Fitter Flush Mount | 3. Conical Semi-Flush Mount | 4. Mallory Crystal Flush Mount | 5. Manor Outdoor Glass & Iron Flush Mount | 6. Flaxmere LED Flush Mount
Pro Tip: When planning your lighting, start with the biggest or main ceiling fixture first, then layer in smaller accent lights.
Here’s some homework for today. Take a look at the lighting in every room of your home, and ask yourself if your fixtures are giving you the functionality AND character you need to make your home look its best. If not, use the lighting tips in this post to seek out some new fixtures that can up-level the design of your home. The right lighting makes a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your home, so don’t ignore it!
