The Do's and Don'ts of Lighting Your Home
Heyhey everyone!
This topic has been on my mind for awhile now and its always something that I get questions about. So, I thought I should share some of my thoughts, tips and tricks on how to light your home.
Lighting can be tricky, its true. There's a lot of factors that go into lighting, and it really can add or subtract from the overall design of a space. Light it too little, and those awesome kitchen cabinets that you just got installed won't be lit. Light it too much, and you're going to start getting those mind numbing headaches that you used to get if you went to an art school like me.
Lighting can be a focal piece and really make a big statement in the room. Last week, I rounded out some of my favorite pendant lights that I've used or that I really want to use. With that in mind, here's a few tips on the do's and don'ts of lighting your home.
DO - Mix + Match
Brass and Black Matte, Nickel and Bronze, I'm a big fan of using a couple of different finishes to make things feel more intensional and less matchy matchy.
DO - Be Unexpected
One of my favorite things with design is walking into a space and just thinking "Wow." There might be a cool wallpaper that really stands out, or a custom live edge dining room table. A cool pendant light can do the same thing here!
DO - Make Them Design Focuses
Maybe you have a neutral room, thats beautiful, but it needs something. Use lighting to bring in that extra something to the room
DO - Coordinate Color Temperature
Depending on your style and your personal preferences, you're going to want a certain color temperature. I, in particular, like roughly 3000k, white is a nice soft white light, without being super stark. 2700k is popular, but its a little too yellow and dim for me. Make sure to check out the bulbs for the color temperatures.
DO - Try Something New
Remember that episode on Friends where Ross and Rachel have the exact same coffee table? That's never fun, you want something unique and something that no one else you know has.
DON'T - Use Just Overhead Lighting
Mix in things like table lamps, wall sconces and floor lamps. Pendants, chandeliers and recessed lights are great for overall lighting, but you want task lighting to give your room dimension.
DON'T - Over or Under Light
This can be tricky to know what lighting will work if you aren't a professional. This might be where you get help to make sure that those lights you are buying will work in your space.
DON'T - Distract From Focal Lighting
When I first started out, I had this issue. I wanted everything to be really cool and this big design piece. I soon realized that you need to pick one or two really cool things in a cool, and select other things to really go and create focus on those special items
DON'T - Be Afraid to go Outside Your Comfort Zone
Go out of your comfort zone and try something new. Get creative, or hire a creative and find something that you will love.
DON'T - Pick Lights Just for Aesthetics
While I'm all about things looking cool, I more keen on making things functional. Yeah, that pendant light might look awesome, but if it barely lights your dining room, how are you going to be able to see your food when you eat? (Priorities, obviously)
Thanks for reading along! Share some of your tips with lighting down below in the comments!
xx
-Han