A designer's Guide to Choosing the Right Lighting for Your Home

Lighting is one of the most transformative—and most overlooked—elements of interior design. The right lighting can make your home feel warm, inviting, and high-end, while poor lighting can leave even the most beautiful space looking dull or unbalanced.

Whether you’re renovating, refreshing a room, or furnishing a brand-new home, this guide will help you choose lighting like a designer.

1. Use the 3 Layers of Lighting (The Designer Rule You Must Know)

Professional designers never rely on just one type of lighting. We layer three kinds in every space:

Ambient Lighting

Your main, overall light source:

• Recessed lights

• Ceiling mounts

• Chandeliers

• Large pendants

This sets the tone and provides general illumination.

Task Lighting

Focused light for specific activities:

• Lamps

• Under-cabinet lighting

• Vanity lighting

• Reading lights

• Desk lamps

Task lighting brings clarity and function to the room.

Accent Lighting

The magic layer—the one most homes are missing.

• Wall sconces

• Picture lights

• LED strips

• Uplights

• Backlighting

These highlight architecture, artwork, or key elements and create a high-end, designer feel.

Aim to include 2–3 layers in every room.

2. Match the Lighting Style to Your Home’s Overall Aesthetic

Lighting fixtures are jewelry for your home—small details that make a huge impact.

Designer favorites by style:

• Modern: slim profiles, matte black, brass, globe lights

• European eclectic: antique brass, stone table lamps, sculptural pieces

• Modern rustic: wood + metal blends, organic shapes, warm finishes

• Luxury: crystal, oversized pendants, marble bases, polished metals

Choose fixtures that reinforce your design direction so your space feels cohesive and intentional.

3. Get the Size Right (The Most Common Lighting Mistake)

Undersized lighting makes a room feel unfinished. Oversized lighting, though bold, can overwhelm a space if not balanced properly.

Quick sizing guidelines:

• Chandelier over a dining table: diameter = table width x 0.5–0.75

• Pendant spacing over an island: 24–30 inches apart

• Entry chandelier height: 2.5–3 inches of fixture height per foot of ceiling height

• Table lamps: around 30–34 inches tall in living spaces

When in doubt, designers go bigger—it adds drama and luxury.

4. Don’t Ignore the Bulbs: Color Temperature Matters

The warmth or coolness of a lightbulb drastically changes how your home feels.

Kelvin (K) Temperature Guide:

• 2700K–3000K: warm, cozy, soft (best for most homes)

• 3000K–3500K: neutral, modern, crisp (great for kitchens/baths)

• 4000K+: cool, clinical (usually too harsh for residential spaces)

Warm lighting creates a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere—perfect for family rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces.

5. Add Dimmers to Everything

This one small upgrade makes your home feel instantly more luxurious. Dimmers give you full control over mood, ambiance, and brightness throughout the day.

Use them for:

• Overhead lighting

• Lamps

• Chandeliers

• Sconces

Lighting should adapt to you, not the other way around.

6. Think About Light Spread and Shadows

Good lighting isn’t just bright—it’s balanced.

Avoid harsh shadows by mixing:

• Multiple light sources in a room

• Soft diffused lighting

• Opal glass or fabric shades

• Wall lights at eye level

A balanced room feels warm and calming, not stark or dramatic.

7. Use Lighting to Highlight Your Home’s Best Features

Lighting is one of the best tools for elevating your home’s architecture.

Add intention with:

• Picture lights over art

• Sconces flanking a mirror

• LED strips under floating shelves

• Pendant lights that define a seating area

• Lamps that anchor a console or nightstand

These touches create that curated, designer look.

Ready to Upgrade Your Home’s Lighting?

Whether you’re designing a new construction home, refreshing a single room, or upgrading outdated fixtures, lighting is one of the easiest ways to elevate your space.

I offer:

• Full-service lighting plans

• Fixture selection and sourcing

• Kitchen + bathroom lighting design

• Room refresh and styling packages

Let me help you create lighting that feels warm, balanced, and beautifully you.

Contact me today for a custom lighting plan tailored to your home.