When you choose lighting for your home, it can be overwhelming. That’s especially true when you know the right home lighting can make or break a room; home lighting plays a big role in the ambiance, functionality, and design. So you’ll want to consider these interior lighting tips as you select lighting for your home. That way, you’ll enjoy your home so much more when it’s properly lit.
How Can You Determine The Right Lighting For Your Home?
Lighting is essential because it can make or break a room, but it is often an afterthought for many homeowners. However, it is vital to select the right lighting to increase your home value, beautify your space, complement your decor, and lower your utility bills
You won’t be alone: Statista Data reveals that the US lamps and lighting sector has generated $42,607m so far in 2021.
To learn more about choosing lights for your home, take a look at the points below.
1. Give the Eye Something to Fixate On
Giving your eyes something to focus on is important when you’re lighting up any space, so keep this in mind.
This focal point is the star attraction of your interior space, with the rest of the fixtures working subtly in the background to create an overall pleasing effect.
You can go with dramatic lighting options, like a chandelier for larger rooms. That will make the space more appealing and it’s appropriate for the scale of the room.
On the other hand, stylish floor lamps with style will suffice for smaller rooms. They will help give the impression that these spaces are larger.
Wall sconces also work well in smaller rooms, especially if you have built-in features like a nook, fireplace, or even a nice piece of art to feature.
2. Use Multiple Lighting Sources in a Single Room
It’s a good rule of thumb to use multiple light sources in a room, regardless of the size of the space.
For instance, you can use a flush-mount ceiling fixture as your source of overhead light in your bedroom. These fixtures are often light bulbs covered with bowl-shaped plastic covers.
Then, you can complement your overhead light with wall sconces or bedside lamps that are more convenient to turn on. Plus, they are best for illuminating a particular area, like when you want to read in bed.
3. Factor in Your Furniture
You want your lighting to compliment your furniture pieces. That’s why it is prudent to consider your decor when selecting lights for your interior space.
For instance, dark furniture can make a room feel tiny and enclosed, so featuring bright ceiling lights will help open up the space.
Similarly, if your furniture is light and minimalist, consider stylish wall and picture lights. Because they are directional, they can highlight your statement furniture pieces.
4. Consider Natural Light
Natural light plays a big role in optimizing your home lighting. Be sure to factor it in when you’re planning to illuminate your space.
You can let more natural light into your house during the day by using well-placed mirrors that reflect windows into other areas of the room.
In addition, you can install skylights, open windows during the day, and opt for more transparent window treatments to let in more light.
If you live in a small apartment where natural light can be lacking, you can compensate for it with:
- Uplights
- Wall lights
- Table lights
That way, you can ensure light reaches even the darkest corners of your space.
Research has shown that natural light improves sleep, uplifts mood, and boosts Vitamin D production in the body, so it is undoubtedly worth considering when planning to light up your home.
Related Article: 10 Skylight Benefits You’ll Want to Consider
5. Smart Lights: Automating Lights at Home
If you haven’t noticed, technology has up-leveled the lighting game. You can buy lightbulbs that you can control from your smartphone or smart home hub. They’re called “smart light bulbs.”
The beauty of this is that not only can you turn lights off remotely (like when you’ve gotten into bed and realize you left the hallway light on), but you can also adjust the warmth, brightness, and color for different times of day and tasks. The possibilities are virtually endless.
What’s more, is you can put your lighting on a schedule. For instance, you can set it to turn on or off on a certain routine, or even operate randomly to appear as though you’re home when you’re out of town.
If you’ve been hesitant about the whole “smart home” concept, smart light bulbs like these are a great entry point.
Final Thoughts on How to Choose Lighting for Your Home
Now that you have a better idea of the design factors for home lighting, you’ll have a far easier time when you choose lighting for your home. It may seem like a simple think to flick a switch and step into a well-lit room, but you’ll know some thought went into getting it just right.
Photo credits: Kitchen – 5460160 (Pixabay), all others courtesy of Canva Pro.
FAQs
How do you choose lighting for your home?
Work in layers and start with what the room is for. The Department of Energy recommends 2700 to 3600 Kelvin for most indoor general and task lighting, which reads as warm to neutral white. Buy by lumens rather than watts, since LEDs broke the old wattage shorthand.
What color temperature should you use in each room?
Warmer light for living and sleeping spaces, cooler for task areas. The Department of Energy points to 2700 to 3600 Kelvin for most indoor use. Be wary of the tidy warm, neutral and cool tables you see online. Energy Star, the FTC and DOE each publish a different scale.
How many lumens do you need in a room?
There is no free consumer standard, and the per-square-foot figures on retailer sites cite nothing. Work from bulb equivalents instead. Energy Star’s replacement minimums are 450 lumens for an old 40-watt bulb, 800 for a 60, 1,100 for a 75 and 1,600 for a 100.
Are LED bulbs worth it?
The two federal agencies disagree on the size of the win, not the direction. The Department of Energy says LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent. Energy Star says up to 90 percent and 15 times longer.