How to Choose the Right Lighting for Different Rooms

Jesse Lu
5 min readJun 28, 2023

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Hey there, friend! Have you ever looked around your house and wondered how you could make it feel more, well, you? Or you’re setting up a new space, and you want to nail the ambiance straight off the bat. I know I have. Well, I’ve got great news: one of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is through your lighting choices. Yep, you heard me right — lighting! Today, I’m going to take you on a tour of your home and show you exactly how to choose the right lighting for each room. Sound good? Awesome, let’s get started.

The Starting Line: Understanding Light Types

First things first, let’s talk about types of lighting. Picture it like this — you’ve got four buddies, Ambient, Task, Accent, and Decorative, and each has a different skill set.

  1. Ambient is like your reliable best friend who’s always there, providing the main light source in any room — usually from ceiling light fixtures.
  2. The task is your focused pal, always on hand to give you the extra light you need when you’re cooking, reading, or doing other tasks.
  3. Accent is your spotlight friend, drawing attention to things you want to show off — like your bookcase or that painting you’re proud of.
  4. Decorative, well, he’s your flashy friend, the one who’s there just because he looks good — think chandeliers and stylish table lamps.

Now that we’ve got the gang together, let’s see how they can help you in each room of your home.

Living Room: The Jack-of-All-Trades

Your living room wears a lot of hats — it’s your relaxation station, your social hub, your mini-cinema. So, you’ll need a good mix of all four lighting types:

  • Ambient: Let’s start with an overhead ceiling light, providing general lighting for the room. But remember, just like you don’t always hang out with your best friend, you won’t always need your ambient light on. Make sure it’s connected to a dimmer switch — that way, you can control the brightness depending on the time of day or the mood you’re trying to set.
  • Task: If you’re like me and enjoy reading or crafting in your living room, some task lighting, like a floor lamp or table lamp next to your couch, will do wonders.
  • Accent: If you’ve got some artwork, accent lights — track lights or wall sconces — are perfect for highlighting those pieces.
  • Decorative: A stylish floor or funky table lamp can add some personality to your living room.

Dining Room: The Feast Master

Dining rooms are straightforward — this is where you eat. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it fun with your lighting choices:

  • Ambient: A chandelier or pendant light over your dining table works wonders. It becomes a focal point and gives that feel-good vibe.
  • Task: If you’ve got a buffet table, a couple of table lamps would work nicely.
  • Accent: Accent lighting can be used to highlight artwork or a special feature like a decorative wall.
  • Decorative: The chandelier or pendant light over your dining table will also serve as a decorative light source. Two birds with one stone, right?

Kitchen: The Culinary Creator

A kitchen is a working space, and you’ll need some focused lighting here. But you might also want to show off your beautiful pots and pans or your spice rack:

  • Ambient: Ceiling light fixtures or recessed lighting will give a bright light to the whole room.
  • Task: Lighting under cabinets will give you a clear view of your workspace. If you’ve got an island, a few pendant lights above would be ideal.
  • Accent: If you have glass cabinets or a lovely backsplash, consider some accent lights to highlight these.
  • Decorative: A stylish pendant light above your kitchen island or breakfast nook would do the trick.

I bet you’re starting to see how this works! Let’s keep going, shall we?

Bedroom: The Rest Haven

Bedrooms are for relaxing and resting, but you also need to read and get dressed there. So, here’s how you could plan it:

  • Ambient: A ceiling fan with a light fixture can provide general lighting and keep the room cool.
  • Task: Bedside table lamps are great for reading before bed without disturbing your partner.
  • Accent: Use accent lights to highlight a nice bed frame or a piece of artwork.
  • Decorative: A stylish lamp on a dresser or a big pendant light hanging from the ceiling can add a touch of class.

Bathroom: The Primping Palace

In a bathroom, you need light to see yourself clearly in the mirror, but you also need enough light to fill the room:

  • Ambient: Overhead fixtures work well for general lighting.
  • Task: Vanity lights around your mirror are essential for grooming tasks. Trust me; you don’t want to be putting on makeup or shaving in dim light.
  • Accent: Accent lights can highlight a nice bathtub or cool backsplash.
  • Decorative: A chic wall sconce or ceiling light fixture can make your bathroom feel like a luxury spa.

The Finishing Touch: Few Quick Tips

So there you have it! You’re practically a lighting expert now. But before we finish up, here are a few more golden nuggets of advice for you:

  • Mix and Match: Each room can have a mix of different types of lights. In fact, the more, the merrier!
  • Size Matters: Pick lights that are the right size for the room and the specific task. Big isn’t always better, and small can be mighty!
  • Get a Dimmer: Seriously, this is a game-changer. It allows you to change the mood of the room instantly.
  • Consider Color Temperature: Light bulbs come in different colors, from warm to cool. Depending on your room’s aesthetic and your personal preference, choose the right one.
  • Style It Up: Don’t be scared to use different styles of lights in your home. A bit of variation can add interest and depth to your space.

Wow, that was a lot! You’re ready to take your home from drab to fab with lighting. Go ahead, play around with it, and let me know how it goes. And remember, lighting, just like friendship, is all about balance and making things better. So, shine on, my friend, shine on! More information, please refer to OnlyHouseLamps, there is a ultimate guide to indoor lighting.

https://onlyhouselamps.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-indoor-lighting/

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Jesse Lu
Jesse Lu

Written by Jesse Lu

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Lighting up homes with world-class fixtures. We offer style, quality, and value in every light. Illuminating spaces, one lamp at a time. OnlyHouseLamps.com

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