The Best Ways to Light Your Home Like a Designer

Great lighting transforms a home. Here are the designer secrets to layering light to create a warm, welcoming, beautifully lit home.

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in interior design. The right lighting can make a small room feel bigger, a dark room feel brighter, and a beautiful room feel truly magical.

In this guide, we share the designer secrets to lighting your home — from layering light to choosing the right bulbs.

Layer your lighting
The key to great lighting is layering. Every room should have three types of lighting:
– Ambient lighting: the overall light for the room (overhead pendants, recessed downlights, wall sconces)
– Task lighting: focused light for specific activities (reading lamps, kitchen under-cabinet lights, bathroom mirror lights)
– Accent lighting: light that highlights features (picture lights, uplighters, table lamps on a console)

Dim everything
Dimmer switches are one of the most affordable ways to transform a room. They let you adjust the mood from bright and practical to soft and romantic.

Choose the right colour temperature
Warm white light (2700–3000K) is flattering and welcoming, and is the best choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. Cool white light (3500–4000K) is better for kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices.

Consider CRI
The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) measures how accurately a light source shows colours. For the most flattering, natural light, look for bulbs with a CRI of 90 or above.

Don’t forget outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting is just as important as indoor lighting. Pathway lights, wall-mounted lanterns, and uplighters for trees and architectural features add safety, security, and beauty to your home.

Use the right number of lumens
Lumen is the measure of how much light a bulb produces. As a rough guide:
– Living room: 1500–3000 lumens total
– Kitchen: 5000–10000 lumens total
– Bedroom: 2000–4000 lumens total
– Bathroom: 4000–8000 lumens total

With these lighting secrets, you can create a home that is as beautifully lit as it is beautifully designed.