How To Properly Light Your Home

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: good lighting makes all the difference in a room. Here are few simple ways to improve your interior through lighting…

Consider scale
Table lamps are great, but sometimes a large lantern, an oversized pendant, or a big sculptural floor lamp can bring the focal point that a room requires.

Add a dimmer
This allows you to easily change the mood and brightness of your lighting depending on the time of day.

Include at least three sources of light in each room
General (overhead or pendant) lighting, specific (task or table) lighting, and ambient (sconces, candles or decorative) lighting.

Choose the right shade
White shades let more light through, but usually create a colder tone. Colored shades will tint the light, making it appear creamier, warmer, or cooler depending on the hue you choose.

Use CFLs or LEDs for energy efficiency
CFLs tend to emit a harsher light, but you can try full spectrum versions for light that enhances blues and reds.

Light the dark corners of your home
closets, shelves, kitchen counters, cupboards. Areas like these are often neglected, but they become more functional and beautiful when properly lit.

Use candles for ambiance
Nothing helps to set the mood for a party like a row of tealights or a set of candlesticks on a dining table.

Incorporate reflective surfaces into your home
Mirrors, glossy floors, and metallic finishes will bounce light around a room.

Maximize natural light by keeping your windows clean
It’s cheap, simple, and really does make a difference.