6 Things to Consider Before You Purchase Lighting
We have been in the midst of changing all of the light fixtures in our home. When we moved in, they were all brushed nickel fixtures with exposed bulbs and lots of exposed screws. It gave off a kind of industrial/farmhouse feeling that didn’t fit with my personal style or the style of the home. It felt cold and clinical, which is the opposite of how I want my home to feel. I’ve been slowly swapping them for warmer fixtures with more delicate features (think: brass, ribbed glass, and fewer exposed bulbs). It is truly unbelievable the change it makes in our home. It feels cozier and significantly more welcoming. It’s a slow process of swapping every fixture out and layering in ambience lighting, but it’s completely changing the way we feel in our space.
Lighting is one of my favorite topics, but it is also one of the trickiest decisions to make in your home. Your paint color, the direction your home faces, the windows in your space…all of these factors influence what lighting is appropriate in a room. Plus, lighting sets the mood. Your fixtures and bulbs will determine how you feel in each room, whether you feel focused, cozy, etc. It’s daunting to choose lighting since it is often one of the more expensive items in a remodel, but when it’s done right it can completely transform your home!
Sounds complicated? Let’s break it down:
Consider scale.
I know I talk about scale a lot, but it’s for a good reason! Scale is, in my opinion, THE determining factor in good design. If you really don’t know where to even start, the dimensions of the fixture should be in inches what the dimensions of the room are in feet. For example, if you have a 12 foot by 12 foot room, your light fixture should be at least 12 inches in diameter. Now this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule by any means, but it can provide a good starting point. Additionally, if you have soaring ceilings, you will need to choose a larger-scale fixture. And similarly, a massive chandelier will look out of place in a home with 8-foot ceilings. Scale is something interior designers consider closely, so if it doesn’t quite click with you chat with an interior designer to get their opinion!
Avoid too many overhead can lights.
Each room in your room has a specific purpose and the lighting you select should be appropriate. For example, the kitchen is the best place to utilize can lights. You need a lot of light to see what you’re doing in the kitchen. It’s a utility space and the lighting should reflect that. On the other hand, your living room is for lounging, relaxing and socializing. I would avoid putting can lights in your living room (but sometimes it is unavoidable!) and instead opt for a pretty chandelier or semi-flush mount with softer ambience lighting, like sconces and lamps.
Layer lighting.
My favorite tip! Shoot for 2-3 light sources in each room. These can include can lights, ceiling lights, lamps, sconces, or picture lights. Layering in different types of lighting adds an undeniable coziness to the space and make it look more designed. Consider tucking a lamp into a dark corner, hanging picture lights above bookshelves, flanking a piece of art with sconces, or placing a lamp next to your favorite reading spot. By layering lighting you can more easily manipulate the mood of your home. Want a cozy feeling in the evening while you watch a movie? Turn off all the lights except a couple lamps. Homework time? Flip on every light in the room!
Carefully choose your bulbs.
I might need to write an entire blog post on light bulbs soon, but I’ll try to give a brief overview here. Kelvin refers to the color of the bulbs (warmer or cooler) and lumens refers to the brightness of the bulb. Your bulb selection will depend almost entirely on your specific home. In terms of color, I typically prefer a warmer light, typically around 2700-3000 kelvin. The amount of lumens you need will be very specific to your home, the function of the light, and the fixtures you’re outfitting. A fixture with exposed bulbs will need less lumens, while a lamp with a. shade will need more. Remember that if you are layering your lighting (peep #3), you can get bulbs with a softer light since you have multiple light sources within one space.
Think about what direction your home faces.
You might not consider things like this (which is why interior designers exist!), but the direction your home faces can completely change the lighting you need! A south-facing room is usually brighter since it gets sun most of the day. This means that you need fewer light fixtures, or bulbs that throw a softer light. A north-facing room has the least amount of sunlight, so you will need more light supplementation. East-facing rooms get more morning light and less afternoon light. This means you may have to add warm lighting to balance how cool/dark it may feel in the afternoon. And the opposite may be true for west-facing rooms.
Make sure the style makes sense.
Now this is a tricky one! I love to mix styles, but it has to be done well. Think about the other styles you have in space and choose lighting that either enhances or juxtaposes the furniture. For instance, very traditional living room furniture can get a fresh look with a modern chandelier. On the other hand, you may want to keep the styles cohesive. Either option is great! My big piece of advice? If you have multiple ceiling lights in one space, make sure they’re telling the same story. I don’t recommend you have a midcentury-modern chandelier a few feet away from pendant lights with a lot of filigree. You risk things looking hodge-podge and confused. You’re better off mixing styles between furniture and lighting, rather than mixing styles in your light fixtures in the same space.
I know lighting can be a daunting task. It can make such a big impact in your home - either good or bad! Generally speaking, lights can be a big investment and it feels like a huge decision. There are lots of factors to consider when choosing lighting and if it just feels too overwhelming, check out our design services!