Brighten Up Your Home: Tips for Choosing the Perfect Room Lighting For Every Space
Room lighting has the unique ability to completely transform the ambiance of any space. It can create a warm and cozy atmosphere in the living room, set a romantic mood in the bedroom, or boost productivity in the home office. With so many lighting options available, choosing the perfect fixtures for your home can be overwhelming. Thankfully, our interior design experts have compiled their top tips for selecting the right lighting for any room to help make getting started with your home project a little easier. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current lighting or starting from scratch, our expert advice will help you create the perfect ambiance for your space.
Types of Lighting
To choose the right lighting fixtures for your space, it’s important to understand the basic types of lighting. These include ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting, each serving a different purpose in creating the desired atmosphere and function for a room.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is an absolute must when it comes to illuminating your workspace with precision and clarity. This type of lighting, typically in the form of a desk lamp or other directional lights, shines a direct and focused light on your work surface, making it easier for you to see and perform tasks with ease. The beauty of task lighting lies in its adjustability, allowing you to position it exactly where you need it.
Ambient Lighting
When it comes to lighting your home, ambient lighting is a key component in creating a welcoming and well-illuminated environment. The purpose of ambient lighting is to provide a soft, even lighting throughout the space, without any distracting glare or harsh shadows. This type of lighting can be achieved through diffused overhead lights, wall sconces, or strategically placed lamps and fixtures that distribute the light more evenly around the room. Not only does ambient lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere, but it also ensures that every corner of your roomis illuminated with ease and comfort.
Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting adds an aesthetic touch to any room by providing a focal point through its eye-catching design. Decorative lights are typically found in large living spaces, entryways, and stairways, but they can truly elevate the style of any home space. These fixtures come in various shapes and sizes to fit in a variety of spaces with ease and include pendants, sconces, chandeliers, or wall-mounted fixtures depending on the available space and desired effect.
Living Room Lighting
When choosing living room lighting fixtures, it’s important to start by considering the size and shape of the space, as well as what activities you envision enjoying here. If you have a larger living room with ample seating and plenty of space for at-home entertainment, then a combination of lighting solutions is best. Recessed lighting can provide ambient overhead illumination, while task lighting can be used for reading and working. Floor lamps are great for providing subtle accent lighting in dark corners or highlighting artwork. Chandeliers look great in high-ceilinged rooms and provide a beautiful focal point to add a touch of awe and elegance. If you have a smaller living room or an especially low ceiling, then pendant lights, track lights, or wall sconces may be better suited to your needs as they provide ample illumination without taking up much space. Don’t forget about table lamps, either! these make great task lighting and can easily be moved around if needed for a practical solution that doesn’t have to be any less attractive.
Kitchen Lighting
Choosing the right lighting for your kitchen is no small task, as this space tends to be a center of household activity. Recessed lighting is a good place to start, as it creates a modern look with an understated presence. Overhead pendants and chandeliers can provide attractive focal points above areas like the kitchen island or dining table. Flush mount lighting is also great for smaller kitchens, providing bright illumination without taking up too much visual space on the ceiling. Once all of these areas have been addressed, you may want to consider adding small decorative touches with accent lighting near doorways or even under cabinets. By thinking carefully about the size and layout of your space, you will be able to create an inviting atmosphere that suits the unique style of your kitchen.
Bedroom Lighting
Your bedroom is more than just a place to sleep; it’s a sanctuary where you start and end each day. As the most personal space in your home, your bedroom deserves some special attention, especially when it comes to lighting. While the typical bedroom has a main overhead light source and bedside table lamps on nightstands or dressers, layering light sources and types can create a truly stunning look. Beyond just adding illumination, task lighting is crucial in places where you might read or have a desk. Decorative bedroom light fixtures, such as a chandelier or decorative lamps, can also add personality to your space and create a stylish statement. If you’re an avid reader, an arm sconce is always a go-to for elegant bedside lighting that leaves the top of your nightstand clear in case space is limited. With a few lighting tweaks, your bedroom can become a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Bathroom Lighting
With its power to turn a dull bathroom into a space that appears newly renovated, bathroom lighting is one of the most transformative interior elements. By simply tweaking your bathroom lighting, you can achieve a stunning result without the hassle and expense of a full renovation. Layering lighting is key to creating a dimensional and homey atmosphere, and you should aim for around 50 lumens per square foot to mimic natural daylight. To begin, ensure that your bathroom has adequate overhead lighting using recessed or flush mount fixtures, and then focus on the vanity, the focal point of your bathroom. Sconces are the most popular form of vanity task lighting and can beautifully frame a mirror. Another option is a fixture directly above the mirror, but choosing an opaque or frosted cover is essential to avoid harsh overhead lighting that creates unflattering shadows. Finally, consider incorporating recessed lighting in your shower for a dramatic final touch that will enhance the overall ambiance of your bathroom. By following these tips, you can achieve a well-lit bathroom that feels open and spacious, even in a small, confined area.
Home Office Lighting
Choosing the right lighting for your home office can be crucial to increasing productivity and creating a comfortable workspace. When working in a home office, it’s essential to consider the quality of lighting, particularly if you don’t have access to natural light. Avoid direct overhead lights that can cause glare, and instead, look for ways to diffuse ambient light throughout your office space. Lampshades are a great way to soften and scatter harsh light while upward-shining floor lamps can reflect light off walls and ceilings. For computer work and focus-intensive tasks, a dedicated task light can help improve visibility and reduce eye strain. In addition to ambient and task lighting, decorative lights can enhance the visual appeal of your space. Unique desk lamps, colored string lights, and decorative floor lamps can provide the perfect finishing touch to bring everything together.
Bringing Your Room Lighting Vision to Life
Selecting the perfect lighting for your home may seem like a daunting task, but the end result is well worth the effort. The right lighting has the power to transform a space, creating a unique ambiance and enhancing the overall aesthetic. By carefully considering the purpose of each room, identifying key focal points, and selecting lighting fixtures that complement your desired mood, you can achieve the perfect balance of form and function. If you need a helping hand or expert advice, our team of experienced design consultants is always here to guide you toward bringing your interior design vision to life. Feel free to contact us for more information on our lighting selection services.