How to Design With Light
Find out about the illuminating ways light can remake a room
Jason Ball
14 August 2019
Lack of proper lighting is one of the most common complaints I hear from homeowners. Whether it’s task lighting in the kitchen, adequate lighting in bathrooms or just having any lighting in a bedroom, there seems to be a shortage of the proper kind and type of lighting in most home building. Here are 8 ways you can enhance your space through some fairly simple lighting upgrades.
1. Replace a hanging fixture in smaller spaces with a few well-placed spotlights
Sometimes the size of a room can limit the type of fixtures used to light the space. In this dining area, a hanging fixture might make the area feel more closed in. Instead, a few pin spots are used to highlight the buffet and ornate mirror.
Sometimes the size of a room can limit the type of fixtures used to light the space. In this dining area, a hanging fixture might make the area feel more closed in. Instead, a few pin spots are used to highlight the buffet and ornate mirror.
2. Replace a ceiling fixture with monorail lighting in a hallway to create an instant art gallery
The design flexibility of today’s lighting systems allows so many possibilities. In this hallway, a simple and modern track light is used to light an art collection. This solution would be a great way to highlight a family photo gallery or create a showcase for kids’ artwork.
Find a designer to plan your home’s lighting
The design flexibility of today’s lighting systems allows so many possibilities. In this hallway, a simple and modern track light is used to light an art collection. This solution would be a great way to highlight a family photo gallery or create a showcase for kids’ artwork.
Find a designer to plan your home’s lighting
3. Wash the walls with light
This room is a study in how to distribute light throughout a space. Small recessed lights in the perimeter soffit throw soft light on the walls to highlight the art. Accent lights in the tray ceiling add a warm glow through additional indirect lighting.
This room is a study in how to distribute light throughout a space. Small recessed lights in the perimeter soffit throw soft light on the walls to highlight the art. Accent lights in the tray ceiling add a warm glow through additional indirect lighting.
4. Use scale to create impact
This large-scale black shade above a white dining room is all about drama, and lots of it. The fixture not only provides adequate light over the table, but also plays a role in defining that area as the dining area.
Take a look at lighting products on Houzz
This large-scale black shade above a white dining room is all about drama, and lots of it. The fixture not only provides adequate light over the table, but also plays a role in defining that area as the dining area.
Take a look at lighting products on Houzz
5. Use uplighting to highlight landscaping to transform your home’s exterior
There’s almost nothing more welcoming than a well-lit exterior in the evening. You just want to walk up to the front door and meet these people. Light is used around this home to highlight the architecture of the home and show off the beautiful landscape design.
There’s almost nothing more welcoming than a well-lit exterior in the evening. You just want to walk up to the front door and meet these people. Light is used around this home to highlight the architecture of the home and show off the beautiful landscape design.
6. Install multiple lighting systems to create a flexible lighting environment
The kitchen is a good example of a space in which multiple, separate lighting systems is necessary. This kitchen has overall lighting (recessed lights), island lighting (monorail system) and task lighting (under-cabinet lights). Different combinations can be used to create different moods.
The kitchen is a good example of a space in which multiple, separate lighting systems is necessary. This kitchen has overall lighting (recessed lights), island lighting (monorail system) and task lighting (under-cabinet lights). Different combinations can be used to create different moods.
7. Decorative lighting can be used to highlight architectural features
Without the additional lighting here, it’s just a nice wooden staircase. The recessed lights under each step amplifies the depth of each step.
Without the additional lighting here, it’s just a nice wooden staircase. The recessed lights under each step amplifies the depth of each step.
8. Create something unexpected
An illuminated onyx table becomes a focal point in this intimate seating area. The soft glow created by lighting this stone table from the inside adds a light source we just don’t expect and creates an interesting conversation piece.
Read more:
Lighting Faux Pas: Don’t Make These Mistakes With Your Lights
A Guide to Lighting Your Home
Tell us:
Share your tips to highlight your home with light.
An illuminated onyx table becomes a focal point in this intimate seating area. The soft glow created by lighting this stone table from the inside adds a light source we just don’t expect and creates an interesting conversation piece.
Read more:
Lighting Faux Pas: Don’t Make These Mistakes With Your Lights
A Guide to Lighting Your Home
Tell us:
Share your tips to highlight your home with light.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Decorating Guides
10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Lighting
By Melanie Shaw
So much of a room’s appeal rests on the way it’s lit. Get it right from the get-go with these expert answers
Full Story
Working with professionals
What Does a Lighting Designer Do?
Three experts shine a light on the process, from initial consultation to completion
Full Story
Living Rooms
10 Ways Good Lighting Can Transform a Living Room
By Lucy Searle
Badly lit living room showing you up to the neighbours? Work magic by illuminating yours in clever and simple ways
Full Story
Decorating Guides
A Guide to Lighting Your Home
No one light rules them all; you need overhead lighting, task lighting and accent lighting to each play a role
Full Story
Lighting Ideas
What Is a Layered Lighting Scheme?
Find out how to introduce various layers of lights to add an element of richness and depth to the decor of your home
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Where to Use Which LED Light?
Learn about the different types of energy-efficient LED lights that can be used to light up different areas of your home
Full Story
More Room Guides
Why Use Recessed Lights?
Take a peek into how recessed lights illuminate odd corners, brighten drab spaces and more
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Smart Ways to Use LED Strips at Home
By Kate Burt
Go gentle with this clever lighting and use it to create an inviting atmosphere in your interiors. Here are some ideas
Full Story
More Room Guides
6 Beautiful Ways to Light Your Puja Room
From candlelights to chandeliers, find out how best to brighten up your puja room
Full Story
Lighting Ideas
6 Ways to Light the Front of Your House
By David Warfel
Find out about 6 common outdoor lighting features and the right ways to use them
Full Story
#2 - The dark scallops at the top make the hall look like a tunnel. Improve by using linear wall washers and then slightly brighter spot lights on the art.
#7 - Maybe it was the designer's intent, but I don't like the mish-mash of scallops and the two different colors of light. The high temp light next to the fireplace cancels out the warmth of the flames. Glare on the sofa table is bad enough, but two different colors of glare makes for a room that is uncomfortable to my eyes.
#3 - Excellent.