A Complete guide to Lighting
Lighting is a key part of interior design. A decorated room without lighting is like an outfit with no accessories or a coffee shop with no music - it may seem complete but you can see and feel that there’s something missing. Curated layered lighting can completely change the mood of a room. Not only does the look of the room feel elevated and sophisticated, but being in the room we actually feel more comfortable and relaxed.
When it comes to lighting, there’s a LOT to consider: what light fixtures you need, what size, where and how to hang them, and the lightbulbs you use. Luckily, as always, I’m here to help!
LAYERED LIGHTING
Layered lighting is the key to balance and ambiance and is what keeps a home from feeling like a hospital or a dressing room - two places where the lighting doesn’t do anything for anyone. Think of layered lighting not just horizontal layers from top to bottom but also layers of coziness and depth. There are 3 layers to consider in every room:
Layer 1: Ambient lighting (aka general lighting) is what overall illuminates the room and provides an adequate visual of the entire space. This includes pendants, flush mounts, fans and chandeliers.
Layer 2: Accent lighting (aka decorative lighting) allows you to highlight points of interest such as architecture or artwork. This includes sconces, track lighting, uplighting, LED rope or tape lighting
Layer 3: Task lighting provides illumination for specific tasks performed in that area of the home and helps to remove shadows and glares, preventing eye strain. This includes floor lamps, desk lamps, vanity lighting, some pendants and under cabinet lighting.
Stand in the room you are decorating and think about each layer. Is the room bright enough overhead even at night? What tasks do I do in this room and is there enough light to safely accomplish them? When it gets dark, does the room feel cozy and welcoming or dark and cold? It doesn’t necessarily mean you need a separate fixture for each layer, some can function as two layers of lighting at the same time. For example, a wall sconce may be both accent lighting and task lighting.
Photo credit: Lee F. Mindel
LIGHT SIZE
Now that we’ve determined what kinds of light fixtures we want in the space, the next thing to consider is the size of your light fixture. Scale and proportion is one of the principal elements of design and this also applies to lighting. If a light fixture is too big, it can overwhelm a space and conversely, if it’s too small it can look silly or unintentional. There are two ways to go about this:
Measure the length and width of the room in feet and add them together. Convert that number to inches and that is the diameter of the light you should choose. For example: my living room is 15ft x 20ft. 15 + 20 = 35. I need a chandelier that is 35in wide.
Measure the table the light will go above and multiple by 2/3. For example, I have a dining table that is 6ft long (72in). 72 x 2/3 = 48. I need a chandelier that is 48in wide.
Photo credit: Iconic by Kaitlyn Wolfe
LIGHTBULBS
Ever found yourself in the lightbulb aisle of Home Depot feeling paralyzed by millions of choices? Been there. But there are a few key things to look for that can help us decide what lightbulbs to buy for our home. First is making sure you buy LED. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and is just a fancy way of saying they produce more light than heat, making them a much more cost-effective and energy-saving alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. They last much longer so you have to replace them less often. Time and money savings plus helping the environment? Win win.
The next thing to help you narrow your search down is the color temperature of the lightbulb. Color temperature is a way to describe the light appearance provided by a light bulb aka is it more orange or blue. It is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000. Here’s what to shop for:
Bedrooms: Very warm white (2200K - 2700K)
Living and dining rooms: Very warm white (2700K)
Kitchens: warm white (3000K)
Bathrooms: cool white (4000K)
LIGHTING INSTALLATION
At this point, you’ve considered your lighting layers, purchased the proper size fixture, the right color temperature bulbs, and you’re ready to install! The electrician comes over (or maybe you’re handy and do it yourself) and asks you, “how high would you like the light?” You panic, right??
Nope. Good news, there are some general rules to follow to make sure you get it right every time:
Dining table: 34-36” above the table
Kitchen island: 36-42” above the surface,30-32” apart
Open space: 7’ from the ground to the base of the fixture
Bedside sconce: 18-21” above the nightstand or 55-60” from the floor
Bedside pendant: 19-24” above the nightstand
Bathroom sconces: 55-60” from the floor and 6” away from the mirror on either side
Photo credit: Lighting Connection
