Good lighting can make or break a room. But it’s not just about brightness—great lighting creates mood, highlights features, and enhances the overall atmosphere of your home. Whether you want to make a small space feel larger or add a touch of luxury, lighting is the key.
Here are 7 lighting tips to instantly upgrade any room in your home.
1. Layer Your Lighting
A room should have a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. This layered approach creates depth and allows you to adjust the lighting for different occasions.
Tip: In the living room, combine overhead lighting with table lamps and floor lamps to create a cosy, inviting atmosphere.
2. Use Dimmers
Dimmers allow you to control the brightness of your lights, giving you flexibility to change the mood of a room with ease.
Tip: Install dimmer switches in your main living areas, such as the living room, dining room, and bedroom, to adjust the lighting based on the time of day or activity.
3. Highlight Architectural Features
Use accent lighting to highlight interesting architectural details or focal points in your home, such as a fireplace or artwork.
Tip: Wall-mounted lights or recessed lighting can bring attention to specific areas, making your home feel more dynamic.
4. Choose the Right Bulb Temperature
The temperature of your light bulbs (measured in Kelvin) can drastically change the feel of a room. Warm light (2700K–3000K) creates a cosy atmosphere, while cooler light (4000K–5000K) is better for task lighting.
Tip: Use warm lighting in bedrooms and living areas to create a relaxed vibe, while cooler light works well in kitchens or home offices.
5. Make Use of Natural Light
Maximise the natural light in your home by keeping windows clean and free from heavy curtains or blinds.
Tip: If privacy is a concern, opt for sheer curtains that allow light to filter through while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
6. Add Statement Lighting
A bold pendant light or chandelier can become a focal point in any room, adding both style and function.
Tip: In the dining room, a statement light fixture above the table draws the eye and anchors the space.
7. Illuminate Dark Corners
Don’t neglect the corners of a room—dark areas can make a space feel smaller and more closed off.
Tip: Use a floor lamp or sconce to brighten up dark corners and make the room feel more open and inviting.