When I first started taking home decorating seriously, I thought I had covered all my bases. I found unique artwork that reflected my style, chose colors that complimented each other, and obsessed over finding the perfect pieces of furniture. So, why did my space still not feel right? I was ignoring an incredibly important piece of the home decorating puzzle: lighting.
The types of home lighting are more important than you might realize. Without the proper home lighting, your space will feel like it’s missing something—mostly because it is. Home lighting and decor makes a space safer and more practical, but it also creates ambiance and accentuates any unique architectural and design features within your home.
It’s not as easy as just turning on the lights that came with the house; you need to put time and effort into putting together a home lighting strategy. It’s easier than you think – you just need to get familiar with the three main types of lighting and learn how they can work together to make your home look its best. So – here we go – let’s take a look at the three types of home lighting and how to implement them in your home.
What is home lighting?
Before you get overwhelmed and say, “Forget it!” let me break down the different types of home lighting. Once you get these figured out, the rest is pretty easy. Each of the three types of home lighting has a specific purpose, but to really make your space feel complete, you should have all three in each area of your home.
- Ambient Lighting: The main lighting source. Start here with overhead fixtures that suit the room’s size and purpose.
- Add Task Lighting: Determine areas where specific activities take place and enhance them with dedicated light sources.
- Incorporate Accent Lighting: Highlight your favorite home decor features to add depth and personality.
The three types of home lighting work together and will completely transform your home. They don’t all need to be on at once – that would be too bright and obnoxious! Here’s an example: let’s say you’re designing your living room, you could install a chandelier for ambient light, have a floor light in a corner of the room where you like to sit and read for task lighting, and wall sconces to accentuate a gallery wall. Now this space feels warm and inviting!
Now let’s go really in depth on the three types of home lighting…
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting is the main light source in a room that makes it easy to see and comfortably move around a space. This is your overhead lighting – the “big light” – or your recessed lighting and chandeliers.
Ambient lighting sets the tone for the entire room. It allows a space to be functional without overpowering other design elements. For example, a living room with a warm overhead fixture can encourage relaxation in the evening, while a bright, daylight-inspired ceiling light in the kitchen makes it easier to cook and clean. The ambient lighting fixtures you choose can also act as a standout design feature of a space. Overhead lights like chandeliers and ceiling fans can also act as the décor focal point that ties the rest of the
Since brightness levels play a huge role in a space’s vibe, using dimmers to adjust the intensity of your ambient lighting is a great way to ensure the light is never too much for the time of day or activity you’re doing. Some larger areas in your home may need more than one ambient light to prevent dark corners. This could look like recessed lighting and a chandelier in a large dining room.
Black Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture
Industrial Semi Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Circular Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Traditional Chandelier with Crystal Accents
Task lighting
While ambient lighting takes care of the lighting needs of most of a space, task lighting makes it possible to perform a specific task in that space. Could your space function without task lighting? Sure. But it wouldn’t be as pleasant.
For example, a well-placed reading lamp by your favorite chair can make reading a book before bed more enjoyable. In the kitchen, under-cabinet lighting will allow you to see while chopping vegetables.
Task lighting fixtures are also fun decorative features in a room. They may not be the main focal point, but they add character.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting is the cherry on top of your lighting design. Its main job is to draw attention to specific features within a space, such as artwork, architectural details, or textured walls. This type of lighting creates drama and is likely what your space is missing if it doesn’t feel complete.
Implementing accent lighting is easy – you can install picture lights above a piece of art or family portrait that you want to bring attention to. Or you could add an uplight at the base of a potted plant. You don’t want to use too much accent lighting, or else the space may feel cluttered – just focus on a couple of key elements in your space that you want to feature. You could also give some colored light bulbs a try to really set the mood.
Consider your home decor style
Instead of home lighting just being a functional piece of your home, it should blend into your decor style. In fact, your lighting fixtures could even act as the anchor of your space that brings the rest of your home design elements together. Here are some tips to look out for based on your home decor style.
- Modern: Choose clean lines, minimalistic fixtures, and LED technology for a sleek look.
- Industrial: Include fixtures with metal finishes, exposed bulbs, and utilitarian designs.
- Boho: Incorporate string lights, rattan pendants, and layered lamps for a relaxed, eclectic vibe.
- Traditional: Embrace ornate chandeliers, classic sconces, and warm-toned lamps.
- Farmhouse: Combine rustic wood elements with vintage-inspired fixtures, such as mason jar pendants or wrought iron chandeliers.
Why are there so many different types of light bulbs!?
Now that you have your light fixtures figured out, there’s more confusion – what kind of light bulbs to use. I was shocked when I went to Home Depot and found an entire aisle devoted to light bulbs. How? Why??? There are different colors, fluorescents, LEDs, OMGs, ahhhh!
If your home has incandescent bulbs, it’s a good idea to replace them with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are a great choice because they use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and last a lot longer too. They’re available in various colors and brightness levels, which makes them a great choice for any space throughout your home.
Smart bulbs are another great way to save energy while creating the perfect ambiance. These bulbs integrate LED technology with wireless connectivity, which will allow you to control the brightness and color and even set a specific time of day for the lights to be on. These are controlled through an app or voice controls and are a really fun feature to add to your home.
Many interior designers recommend looking for warm white bulbs over cooler-toned bulbs. Bulbs that are 3500K and higher will make your home look like a super bright grocery store – probably not the vibe you’re looking for. 2700K bulbs are ideal since they will give you brightness but not an obnoxious amount.
Here are a couple more home lighting and decor tips
Each space needs multiple light sources. Relying only on overhead lights will not give you the warm, cozy feeling that makes a space feel like home. Layering your lighting is key to making a space feel complete. Think of it like your outfit—ambient lighting is like your jeans and T-shirt, and task and accent lighting is like your jewelry, bag, and sunglasses that complete the look and make you look styled.
Don’t underestimate the power of a dimmer! Dimmer switches give you more control over the mood of your space and your energy usage. Whether in the living room or bedroom, dimmers are something you don’t know how you could live without.
Let’s get lit! (sorry)
Now that you know more than you ever thought you’d need to know about lighting and its role in home decorating, let’s get to work! Focus on laying your lighting with fixtures that match your design aesthetic. I promise you, it’s not as difficult as it sounds; once you start experimenting, you will see a huge difference in how your space looks and makes you feel. Your home will shine in its best light with the right lighting strategy.