It’s crazy how much of a difference lighting can make in a room. It’s like the secret ingredient to setting the perfect vibe.

Even the most well designed and styled room can feel off if the lighting isn’t right. I’ve talked about it here before, but lighting is so important and it deserves  its own post.

So, let’s chat about how lighting can really bring your space to life!

Here are 5 TIPS to help you nail the art of layering your lighting:

1. Most rooms can benefit from at least 2- 3 sources of lighting (overhead, directional, ambient)

With the combination of these different types of lighting, you’re basically creating layers that work together to make your room inviting.

Let’s break it down. First up, you’ve got your overhead lighting, preferably on a dimmer, but we’ll talk more about that later. These are the lights that are hung from the ceiling, typically in the middle of the room. Often these lights can be the jewel of the room. Lots of chandeliers are pieces of art in their own right.

Next up, you’ll want some directional lighting. This could be small directional spot lights or lamps that you use to highlight specific areas, like reading nooks or art work.

Last but not least, don’t forget about ambient lighting. You can achieve this with lamps and/or wall sconces which add a cozy, warm glow to the room.

2. Choose the right bulb

THIS. IS. SO. IMPORTANT! The type of light bulb you use has the power to make or break the vibe in your room. So, here’s the deal with light bulbs: they come in all sorts of tones, from warm and cozy to cool and crisp. Typically we gauge this using degrees on the Kelvin scale. 

I prefer around 2,700 degrees Kelvin. The cooler bulbs, like 3,000 or higher tend to feel a bit too harsh. They can give off a warehouse vibe. Not exactly the feeling I’m looking for in my home! 

On the other hand, warm lighting is a bit like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket of ambiance. Like a candlelit room without the fire hazard.

3. Use lighting at various height levels throughout the room

This one is important for a couple of reasons. To start with, lighting at various heights in the room helps to brighten the entire space from top to bottom and eliminate dark shadows.  

Next, by incorporating lighting elements at different heights throughout the room, you’re creating layers of interest for the eye to explore.  A room where all of the elements are the same height isn’t very interesting. It somehow falls flat. 

A room with table lamps, floor lamps, ceiling lights like pendants and chandeliers, and maybe wall sconces not only offers abundant light throughout the room, it also brings a lot to the table in the overall look and feel of the space.

It’s all part of that “layering” concept in design. The magic happens when elements aren’t all on the same visual plane—we need variation in both depth and height to truly captivate the eye and make a space come alive. 

4. Hide those lamp cords

Oh man, visible cords are annoying aren’t they?! They can make a room feel cluttered and chaotic. 

Real Simple has this awesome article on 10 clever ways to hide those necessary tangles and make your room instantly feel more organized and calm. Check it out. 

5. Use dimmers

Dimmers are a bit like having a magic wand up your sleeve. They can take the lighting from high and energetic to soft and inviting. So whether you’re putting a puzzle together at the dining table with the family, or having a dinner party with friends, the dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness to fit the mood of the moment.

Note—not all dimmers and fixtures play nice with LED bulbs so it’s important to double-check compatibility before you make any purchases. 

So there ya go, five tips to level up your room lighting! I hope it's been helpful. 

But if the thoughts of trying to execute these tips into your home makes your head spin, or if you find yourself wanting more from your space and are struggling to make it happen, I’d love to be a resource for you. Don't hesitate to reach out. We can set up a virtual coffee date and chat about ways I can assist you!