Lighting Ideas For Each Room of The Home

Sat, Oct 28, 2023 17:17 CET

When it comes to lighting your home, each room has a set of unique considerations. Whether it’s the placement of the bulbs, the brightness of the lights, or the colour of the lights, there are several things you will need to think about. Lighting can make all the difference in how a room looks and feels, so making the right lighting choices in each room of the home is very important.

Interior design expert Ryan McDonough at MyJobQuote.co.uk has teamed up with various other interior design and lighting experts to create this guide on the best lighting ideas for each room of the home.

Whether you’re just looking for some ways to improve the lighting in your home or if you’re creating a brand new lighting plan for your home, this guide will help you to better understand the best lighting solutions room by room. This will help you to find the right lighting solution that works for you and your home. Take a look at the expert list of lighting ideas for each room of the home below.

Hallway

“The entryway is the first impression of your home and sets the tone for the

rest of the space", says Jonathan Faccone, interior designer and founder of Halo Homebuyers. With this in mind, you want to be mindful when choosing the lighting for your hallway so that you can set the right first impression.

“A statement chandelier or pendant light can make a bold statement while also providing ambient lighting. Wall sconces on either side of the door can also add a welcoming touch," Faccone continues. If you have enough space, you could also consider a warm, welcoming stand-up lamp or a table lamp situated on a stylish console table.

Living Room

“The best way to light up your living room is by using a combination of

ambient, task, and accent lighting," explains Raf Michalowski, interior designer and founder of Meble Furniture. “To achieve the perfect lighting in your living room, start with ambient lighting by installing ceiling lights or chandeliers. Then, add task lighting over seating areas for reading or working on laptops. Use accent lighting to highlight artwork or decorative pieces," Michalowski continues.

“If the lighting in your living room feels too dim or shadowy, the direction

of your lighting might be the issue", Tod Saunders, CEO of Flooring Stores, explains. “Although many people think a ceiling-mounted light fixture (such as those attached to ceiling fans) is a great way to brighten up a living room, light that shines down to the floor can actually make a room look dimmer because of shadows. Installing

wall-mounted light fixtures that direct light up toward the ceiling will add significantly more warmth and brightness to your living room."

Dining Room

The dining room is primarily for dining and entertaining, so this should be kept in mind when choosing the lighting for this room. “Often, in the scene of dinner parties and gatherings, the dining room's lighting should be flexible", explains Inez Stanway, founder of MondayMandala. “A statement chandelier or pendant can add drama, while a dimmer can set the mood for meals. Accent lighting, like wall sconces or table lamps on a sideboard, can create a warm, inviting atmosphere," Stanway continues.

Dan Eastman, co-owner of DFW Stained Concrete, also agrees that you should "Use a chandelier or pendant light as a focal point above the dining table. Add wall sconces or buffet lamps to provide additional ambient lighting.” Eastman also suggests adding a dimmer switch to adjust the lighting intensity so that you can change the lighting according to each different occasion.

Kitchen

“Lighting in the kitchen is essential for both functionality and aesthetics," says David Mason, interior designer and founder of Knobs.co. "In this space, you want to have a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Consider installing recessed lights or track lighting for ambient light, pendant lights or under-cabinet lights for task lighting, and LED strip lights or chandeliers for accent lighting," Mason continues. "These layers of light will create a warm and inviting atmosphere while also allowing you to see clearly when preparing meals.”

Rich Mullins also agrees that you should “Install under-cabinet lighting to illuminate countertops for meal preparation.” Mullins also explains that you should “Keep in mind the colour temperature for the kitchen; a cooler light can help with focus and energy.” If you prefer warm lighting, this will provide a warm and comforting touch and will make your kitchen look more homely.

Bathroom

Similar to the kitchen, the bathroom also requires both general and task lighting. “Overhead lights can provide overall illumination, while vanity lights or sconces on either side of the mirror can offer focused light for grooming tasks", explains Jonathan Faccone, interior designer and founder of Halo Homebuyers. “To add a spa-like feel, consider incorporating LED strip lights in the shower or around the bathtub", Faccone continues.

The bathroom should feel clean and practical. With this in mind, you should “Opt for clean, shadow-free lighting for grooming tasks" explains Ben Gold, interior design specialist and founder of Recommended home Buyers. Gold also agrees that "Vanity lights or wall-mounted fixtures on each side of the mirror work well.” Gold also goes on to explain that dimmable lights are great for adjusting the ambience. This will allow you to create a different vibe depending on what you're doing in the bathroom. For example, you could make the lighting dimmer if you're planning on having a relaxing bath, or you could make the lighting brighter if you are completing tasks such as doing your makeup or shaving in front of the mirror.

Bedroom

“Lighting in the bedroom should be warm and inviting while also serving the purpose of aiding relaxation and sleep", explains Raf Michalowski, interior designer and founder of Meble Furniture. “Use dimmable overhead lights or wall sconces for ambient lighting in the bedroom. Adding bedside table lamps with warm-coloured bulbs can provide a cosy ambience. For dressing table areas, use task lighting in the form of a pendant light or adjustable wall sconces. You can also go for vanity lights above the mirror for a more practical approach," Michalowski continues.

Table lamps are very helpful in the bedroom as they provide a source of light for when you get into bed, and you don't have to get out of bed to switch them off. If you don't have bedside lamps, consider installing smart bulbs in the bedroom so that you can turn your lighting off with your voice or through your smartphone.

Home Office

Lighting is important in your home office as it can affect your productivity. “Place a task lamp on your desk to reduce eye strain during work or study", explains David Mason, interior designer and founder of Knobs.co. It's also a good idea to add some ambient lighting in the room to make it feel more homely and less clinical. "Consider adding a floor lamp in the corner of the room for ambient light, especially if your office is located in a windowless space," Mason adds.

“You can also incorporate accent lighting with a statement desk lamp or wall sconces to add style and personality to the room. I would suggest installing overhead pendant lights or track lighting for general illumination. This will help you stay focused and motivated while working.” Mason explains. No matter what you choose to use for lighting your home office, just make sure you work to reduce eye strain and make sure there is ample light available for things like reading and writing notes.

Children’s Room

If you have children in your home, you should consider adding some fun, playful, and bright lights in their room. Playful lights will help to make the room more stimulating and inviting for children. Brighter lights can be helpful for when it comes to studying or playtime. If your child has a desk in their room for studying, consider adding a table lamp to aid with reading and writing.

You should also "ensure a comforting, soft glow for night time", explains Sarah Johnson, home advisor at BigAirfryers.com. Nightlights can come in handy for children who are afraid of the dark and can also add an element of safety for if your child needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Garden

Although it’s not one of the rooms in your home, your outdoor lighting is also very important. “Lighting is one of the best ways to make a patio or other outdoor living room, and thus your entire garden, look more expensive", explains Jeremy Yamaguchi, gardens expert and CEO of Lawn Love. “One outdoor lighting trend that I really like is step lighting. With step lighting, dim (often brightness-adjustable) lights are placed on each step of any outdoor stairs you have, creating a luxurious and inviting ambience while also making it easier to watch your own step while walking up or down! It’s a design choice that often makes a house seem more expensive, modern, and intriguing.”

Wall lighting is also a great choice for the garden as this can provide ample light over patio areas. Small solar-powered accent lights can also help to create a unique ambience in your garden space. Plus, solar lights won't cost anything to power, so they can be used every evening. Even when you're not outdoors, a variety of garden lights can help to make your garden look like a paradise when you gaze through the window from inside your home.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many different ways in which you can incorporate lighting in each room of your home. When you are making a plan for your home's lighting, keep these tips in mind so that you can make the right lighting choices for each of the rooms in your home. Keep practicality and ambience in mind every step of the way, and you'll be able to create a home that is welcoming, inviting, and practical in every way.

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