Known as the room's jewelry, lighting is an essential element of interior design. Lighting can make or break a room in the sense that it can help increase its size, enhance key features, and set the right mood and tone. It is one of the most crucial decisions and one of the easiest decorating mistakes we can make. I’ll provide you with a complete lighting guide, from tips to choose your lighting to how to select the proper ones that match your design style.  Let’s get started.

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Creating the WOW factor in your room is easy once you know which way to go. If there is one thing I recommend to upgrade in your home it's the lighting. Here are some of my favorite tips when it comes to using lighting in your home:

• Make a lighting plan: Like everything, a plan will help you strategize and decide which lights you need for your space. You want to consider the activities you do in each room, for example, eating, working, or relaxing.  Then think of accents or features in your room, and this will help you come up with an accurate lighting concept and make your choices easier.

• Add different layers of lighting: As I see it, each room needs layered illumination, overhead, accent, and task lights. Overhead lighting, or ceiling lights, will illuminate an entire room, while accent lighting can help highlight some of your favorite pieces about that space, like your kitchen island or a piece of art. Finally, task lights are essential in a working zone. For example, you may like sewing or reading, and specific lighting will help you achieve that activity. Knowing your lifestyle is the foundation for a successful interior design project. The more we can understand your personality as an individual or family, the more we will be able to achieve your design goal.

• Learn to choose the right color temperature: color temperature can help set the mood in your space. As always, it will all depend on your goal. If you’re going after a more relaxing vibe, dimmer, softer, candlelight-related lighting is the way to go. But if you want to upbeat the mood in your room, going for a brighter light is a no-brainer.

• Keep it consistent: Notice I didn't say to match all of the lighting in your home. Your light fixtures should speak to each other. Just because you use one type of flush mount fixture downstairs does not mean you have to use that same one upstairs. Mix it up! In fact, I like to use statement lighting in most places like the dining room, master bedroom and bath, and living room.

I know this process can be overwhelming, but with the proper guidance, you can make the right decision for your room. So book a call with me today to help you with your lighting concept!

Types of lighting

Choosing the right lighting for your room is like choosing the right jewelry. First, you must find those that suit you best and highlight your most extraordinary qualities. As with everything, there is one for every taste, but each one fulfills a purpose. In my experience, here are the different types of lighting you will have in your home:

1. Chandeliers

2. Ceiling lights

3. Bathroom lighting

3. Sconces

4. Lamps

5. Pendants

We’ll go through each of them, highlight some tips to use, and link some of my favorites.

Chandeliers

Their branch-like form helps create an exclusive and unique look to your room. Use chandeliers to make a statement in your space. The golden rule of chandeliers is to hang them properly. For example, in a dining room, you want it to be at least 30 inches over your table. In your entryway, at least 6.5 feet from the floor.

My rule: go big or go home! You don't want your chandelier looking like a spider hanging from the ceiling.

Chandeliers have many benefits, including

• They can transform your space completely
• Help create a warm atmosphere for your space
• Help you save some room since they hang from your ceiling
• There is a wide range of designs to choose from. 

Create that wow factor in your home by shopping for the following chandeliers.

Ceiling lights

These lights are also known as overhead because, as the words state, they illuminate the whole room. But I know what you’re probably thinking, with so many options, how to choose the ones that will match my room? First, you will need to measure the total square footage of your room, and then find a ceiling light that fulfills that need. As mentioned, you want to leave room to add accent and task lights, so here are the ones that I’d recommend the most for your overhead section. These also work great in a hallway, mudroom or office.

If you have the infamous boob-looking light, then these are a great alternative!

Bathroom Lighting

In your bathroom, you want enough lighting to illuminate your bathtub or shower and showcase your vanity. But with different elements, how can it look integrated and cohesive? 

The key is to include layers of lighting and not overcrowd the space. For example, you can do ceiling lights and pendants in your bathroom, just like in your kitchen. Doing so will create a balance and sophisticated look. I love to add a chandelier over a bathtub for a more elegant look.

Here are some of my favorite bathroom fixtures.

Sconces

My favorite aspect of sconces is their flexibility. You can use them to achieve different goals, including highlighting a path, making a statement over an art or décor piece, providing extra lighting to complete a task, and achieving that relaxed ambiance when you want to decompress, especially after a long week at work.

One tip is to use a wall sconce in place of a lamp beside your bed. This frees up space on your nightstand.

My favorite design style is modern transitional, and these sconces will elevate that look, making your room an inviting place to be.

Lamps

Known as the perfect element to finish up a room, lamps provide the cherry-on-top-of-the-cake effect and contribute to achieving the WOW factor in your room. Lamps give the perfect amount of light necessary to complete a task without bothering other people in the room. Their unique style can help transform your side table and join the other pieces in the room.

I love to turn on our lamps in the evening for that relaxed, moody feeling.

My personal favorites are:

Pendants

Last but not least, pendants are similar to those long earrings that you use to complement your night look, they make your whole outfit. In the kitchen, they illuminate a space, inviting people to join the room and have a nice time. When it comes to lighting your kitchen, brighter is better. Use this guide for better reference.

By the way, most homes I walk into have island pendants that are way too small. Usually they're builder grade fixtures but are so easy to swap out.

Shop my favorite pendants here:

When it comes to lighting, let's make it fun and exciting! Make sure to take my design style quiz to determine which lighting will best suit your decorative style. Let me know in the comments which lighting pieces are your favorite ones.

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