If you’ve ever visited a lighting showroom, no doubt you got the mini lecture on the three necessary types of lighting “required” to successfully light up a room: task, ambient and accent. All true, btw! So let’s not talk about that, okay???
Today let’s discuss the good stuff. The yummy, pretty, awe-inspiring side of lighting. Lighting as the centerpiece of the room!
Statement Sconces & Modern Mounts
You probably thought I was going to dive right into the queen of all decorative lighting right here, didn’t you? But no, let’s be a little subtle for a moment. A pair of well-placed sconces over your fireplace or flanking the vanity mirror in your powder room can provide you an amazing amount of drama and style, as well as light up the space in unexpected ways.
Bedrooms, bathrooms, and even your laundry room will have just a little more panache if they’re featuring a dressed up semi-flush ceiling light in addition to a few ceiling cans. And YES, you could even have both, size and space permitting!
Layered Lamps That Bring a Glow
And can we talk about lamps for just a moment? While installed lighting can really be a show stealer, there are some stunning lamps available. Most rooms will benefit from at least three (yes, I said it). A bedroom needs one per side of the bed (except a twin, maybe) and perhaps one on a bureau. A statement floor lamp is an excellent option and can help to brighten up a dark corner.
Stash a petite lamp in a bookcase, on a bathroom counter, a kitchen counter, in a long hallway, on a mantel or behind a sofa.
Chic Chandeliers & Sleek Pendants
Finally, we get to the item that can create the MOST drama in a space. Arguably, we’ve built entire rooms around this piece. This piece will often be the FIRST thing we select in a design and build the space around it: the chandelier.
In a dining room, a foyer, and occasionally a living space, this piece IS the center of the room. Whether you have a traditional older home or an ultra-modern home, the lighting selected sets the tone and can make or break your design.
And in your kitchen, where you may not have space for a full chandelier, we’ll often feature a pair, a trio (or more!) of pendants to elegantly light up the kitchen. It has a homier feeling than the lighting provided by ceiling cans. It is never INSTEAD of! This is always an addition, and the combination of both types of lighting creates the perfect ambiance, the perfect balance of lighting for all your needs–practical AND pretty.
For more design tips, read New Construction vs. Existing Home: Which One is Right For You?
Don’t be afraid to decorate with lighting. Anywhere it feels a little dim or underlit, a small lamp will come to your rescue and serve not only as light, but if you choose wisely, it can serve as part of your decor.
When we’re pulling an entire home together, we actually creating a lighting story as part of the overall aesthetic. As much as the flow of colors, fixtures, and finishes throughout the home, the lighting should flow, both in style and shape and color, throughout the home. Let it help to tell the story!
If you’re ready to uplevel your home’s lighting with luxury in mind, we would be glad to help you achieve that. Reach out and let’s chat!
Xoxo,
Pamela
