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Create defined spaces -

With an open floor plan, or even just a large room, it can be difficult to figure out how to set up the light. If you only use overhead lighting, for example, the space easily feels too sterile or bright. Don’t be afraid to mix fixtures.

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Create defined spaces -

In a large room, you can define smaller spaces by adding table lamps and floor lamps near your sitting areas, for instance.

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Create defined spaces -

For the dining space, try an eye-catching chandelier or something overhead to separate the space even without walls.

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Reflect the design aesthetic -

People work so hard to design their space according to an aesthetic they like—whether they realize it or not—but so often the lighting is mismatched or left out in the consideration of the space.

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Reflect the design aesthetic -

Luckily, there are numerous options of light fixtures that can go with your preferred style, from mid-century modern to contemporary.

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Reflect the design aesthetic -

You should also take the time to pick a metal finish that will be throughout your whole space, and light fixtures are a great opportunity to tie the brass finishings in your kitchen and bathroom together, for example.

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Make the room feel bigger -

We interpret space according to the distribution of light, so placing lamps around a room, and specifically at its extremities and far corners, will unconsciously remind the eye that the space stretches out.

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Make the room feel bigger -

You can also create the illusion of height by choosing clear and simple statement fittings that will direct people’s eyes upwards but that will also avoid blocking sight lines, so that the headspace feels taller.

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Create ambience -

We can all feel the lack of ambience in fluorescent-lit spaces, and yet many still haven’t mastered the art of creating ambience through light in their own spaces. The key is: layering lighting.

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Create ambience -

You simply have to make sure you have a combination of overhead lighting, perimeter lighting, table lamps, and floor lamps. This way you can alter the brightness and ambience according to what you need.

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Create ambience -

Another great way to achieve this is by installing dimmer switches in your overhead lights, which give an even greater range of flexibility and are safer than lighting a bunch of candles every time you want cozier lighting.

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Add tone -

The tone of the light when it comes to creating a specific ambience will also determine the mood and function of the space. For example, offices tend to use white light, which provides an alertness to the space where people can efficiently carry out tasks.

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Add tone -

When it comes to cozier atmospheres, however, like living rooms and restaurants, warmer lighting schemes are preferred for the more relaxed ambience they provide.

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Artistic focal points -

If you don’t have much space for art in your home, light fixtures can be a great way to get an intricate piece in without taking up any extra room.

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Artistic focal points -

You can get lighting fixtures with various colors, shapes, sizes, and finishes to combine form with function and create an artistic focal point of the room.

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Artistic focal points -

These can breathe completely new life into an entryway or a dining room.

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The unsung power of floor lamps -

While some might choose against floor lamps because of the floor space they occupy, these lamps offer so many benefits in return, including adding height to the room and illuminating the room at eye-level.

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The unsung power of floor lamps -

Floor lamps also offer personality as a standalone or complementary item, and they give you the option to not only change the shades but rearrange where you decide to put them.

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Accent lighting -

Accent lighting does just as its name suggests, and draws attention to a specific object or element—including artwork, wall textures, level differences, recesses, etc.—to add an element of drama, even when other lights are on.

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Accent lighting -

These can be direct or indirect sources of light, typically ranging from small spotlights to wall-grazing linear lights, and they can be used to add more dimension and drama to the space.

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Backlighting -

Backlit panels might also be considered accent lighting but deserve appreciation of their own because even if they’re not highlighting anything, they can totally elevate the look of your home. It’s the kind of lighting luxury hotels tend to use.

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Backlighting -

This simple technique takes decorative wall or ceiling panels, or furniture items (i.e. bed headboards, shelves, stairs), and lights them from the hidden side with LED strip lights, focus lights or tube lights to achieve a subtle or bright glow. It effortlessly brings in an element of glamour and sophistication.

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Task lighting -

Things like desk lamps, bedside lights, wardrobe lights, strip lights under kitchen cabinets, etc. are called task lighting because they have a specific function. They can allow you to be a little bolder with your choice of ambient lighting because you’ll have separate switches for smaller purposes, like getting up at night while others are sleeping or carving out secluded nooks. One light does not have to do it all.

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Pure decoration -

On the opposite end, don’t be afraid to also use completely non-functional lights. Everyone feels the instant charm of string lights or lanterns, and though they don’t help you see anything, they are a simple way to completely liven up a space. Plus, they’re easy to remove.

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Dining room ambience -

If you want to create an intimate dining room atmosphere where the conversation will flow comfortably on and on, install a longer hanging pendant or three directly over the table so that it creates a warm glow around the table but everything around recedes into darkness.

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Bathroom kindness -

With the amount of time many people spend in the bathroom, the purely functional lighting has gone way out of style. Plus, first thing in the morning you should want the bathroom to offer you a kinder light, which you can achieve by installing wall lights. The gentler, luxurious glow will make everyone happier.

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Make use of mirrors -

Putting mirrors in spaces with one large overhead light can help the light bounce around the room, opening it up and making it feel bigger and brighter than it really is.

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Maximize natural light -

Mirrors are also great when it comes to maximizing natural light in your space—and since natural light is scientifically proven to make you healthier and happier, it’s thus an essential quality when it comes to designing your space.

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Maximize natural light -

Sheer curtains, pale-colored paint, glossy floors, etc. are ways to make the space more bright, airy, and comfortable, and bring down your electricity bills. If you can’t install a skylight or replace walls with lattices to let more light through, opt for specific reflective surfaces to increase whatever light you do have.

See also: Do you know your interior design style?

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