What is the Rule for Lighting?

Needless to say, perfect lighting is a crucial element of eye-catching home decor. It enhances the appearance and function of your living space. Curating a well-lit room according to my needs paves the way for how I want my home to be: complementing my personality.

Few rules that I’ve followed for lighting my home. Feel free to steal it!

Lighting sets the tone.

I never rely on just one light source while lighting a room. For example, to light my living room, the primary goal is to achieve the feeling of comfort and coziness.

Therefore, I used eye-catching fixtures to add warmth using floor and table lamps. My room has rare art pieces, so I chose accent lights to match the aesthetics.

In smaller rooms, I have aimed to light all four corners. Yes, it does make my space seem bigger. Also, I used lights with vertical beams to increase the perception of height.

Noting the room’s aesthetics, style, and period.

My lighting space is specifically styled, so the lighting rules have varied. I am a maximalist, so I preferred the dripping reflection of a glass chandelier as it did justice to match the aesthetics.

I have also installed clusters of different size lights at varying heights over the staircase for an eclectic feel. I have planned around my space’s architectural features and tried to balance three categories of lighting – General, Accent, and Task lighting.

General lighting is for background illumination, and accent lighting is to draw attention to a particular feature. Lastly, task lighting is for illuminating specific activities.

Also Read: How Many Lamps Do You Need In A Room?

Hide your bulbs.

I wanted the lighting fixtures to be seen but the bulbs to be hidden. Also, the lights should not be directly head-on. With this idea in my mind, I designed my kitchen with under-counter and LED lights I

Dimmers are the best buds.

Controlling the lighting in a room is of utmost importance in regulating the various ambiances of my home. Owing to that, I installed overhead lights on a dimmer. And all of the lamps are hooked up to my Alexa.

That way, I can ask Alexa to turn on or turn off the lights or lower the shades to my mood.

Also Read: Are LED Lights Good For Bedrooms?

Mixed and matched my light sources.

I have used just a few floor and table lamps in smaller places to make them look warm and inviting. While in more significant areas, I needed a light overhead to create ambient.

To me, overhead lighting should not be the primary source of light as it can cast shadows that may not make me look or feel my best. So instead, I created an alchemy in each room with lights layered and integrated seamlessly into my space.

Also Read: What Ceiling Light Is Best For Bedrooms?

Considered my shade of lighting.

Different shades of light can affect the aesthetic point of a room. Some have softer and more white light, and others are adjustable three-way lighting.

The first thing I considered when selecting a light bulb was the color temperature of the bulb. For starters, color temperature is the amount of whiteness of the bulb and is measured by Kelvins.

Simply put, low Kelvin light appears warm, and high Kelvin light seems calmer. I have used around 2700-3000 Kelvin for my home, so the setup feels warm and inviting.

The materials I chose in light fittings are transparent to opaque and reflective to matte. And the bulb’s opaqueness or clarity dramatically affects the light’s distribution and direction.

I ensured my lighting setup wasn’t in my way.

I avoided the lighting in my home that gets in the way of room views like the garden or the sea view. Similarly, I took care that light sources were not blocking the course of my walking space in my room.

Also Read: Is 1000 Lumen Bright For A Bedroom?

Switches are essential.

I feel lamps can be a very versatile and soft way to express one’s style. So, I ensured I had well-placed switches to power them on. I have also used dimmer switches.

It allows me to create a more customized lighting design, alter the mood, and enhance the drama of my decor and overall lighting design. Moreover, I have installed ambient and accent lighting on dimmer switches, particularly in dining and living areas.

I thought of lampshades and fun accessories.

Lamp shades are a great way to express and compliment your home interior and color palette. I have used a pale linen shade and a more stylistic abstract shade to enhance the persona perfectly.

I advise you to try that too!

My lighting ideas for each room

With all my past experiences, I give you my knowledge of the best possible lighting combinations you can try for your home. Have a look-

Living room: I have used a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lighting, which is dimmable.

Bedroom: I have added several table lamps to make the bedroom warm and cozy.

Bathroom:  I have installed overhead with a large chandelier over the bathtub for unabashed glamour and fluorescent lamps mounted above the mirror.

Kitchen: In the kitchen, I have used overhead lighting, which is crisp and bright. You can go for additional lights with pendants, under cabinet lighting, and in cabinet lighting as well.

Dining Room: I have put a chandelier mounted directly above the likely position of the dining table, which is the room’s center piece. Also, it is my only principal source of ambient illumination.

Basement Lighting: Honestly, my basement is unfinished and roughly done. My lighting requirements are usually met with porcelain lamp holders fastened to the overhead ceiling, and that’s it!

Also Read: Gold & Black Home Decor Tips

Final words

Firstly, take a good look at the decor of your space. Then, chalk out your lighting plans. I only installed light fixtures after I had a solid design coverage and a clear mental picture.

I have also considered the various aspects of lighting before their installation, like size, style, light output, ease of installation, budget, and smart home options. You can do the same for the best results!