When it comes to creating the right vibe in a space, lighting can really make or break your efforts. Step one is always matching the type of lighting to your needs for a room. Bright lighting is great in an office space where you want to read and reduce eye strain, but that same lighting in a dining room can seriously kill the vibe. We’ve got 5 easy tips to help control the lighting in a room to create the perfect atmosphere.
Utilize Technology
The options for types of lighting are pretty endless thanks to advancements in LED technology. One simple and affordable trick is to get smart LED bulbs that allow for dimming and color tuning. Basic models connect to WiFi and allow to use your phone or smart speaker to dim the light, more advanced bulbs even let you choose the specific warmth of white light or allow you to change the color all together. These are great for multi-purposes spaces, like a dining space connected to a living room. You can turn the lights up to a bright white when you want to sit on the couch and read, set them to a dimmer warm white for eating dinner, and even set them to a deep red color for movie watching or date nights.
With LED lights, you also aren’t limited to traditional bulbs and lamps. You can purchase strip lights that can go underneath furniture to create an inviting and colorful glow, or install them underneath kitchen cabinets to provide additional light for prep work. Decorative lights are also a great option, you can add fun shapes to a wall for a playful element, or even neon-like LED designs in interesting shapes or words. These are especially great to create a focal point in a room, such as between pieces of art or over a bar cart.
Utilize Smaller Sources of Light
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, you know that setting the mood with lamps is in, using overhead lighting is out. Table lamps are a great way to get started, there’s hundreds of different sizes and styles to suit a space, and you can use them with different types of bulbs (or even the smart bulbs mentioned above) to achieve different looks. Another great option is to add wall sconces to a room. These can be hardwired, or you can get plug in models that are renter-friendly. Some sconces have directional lights that can be adjusted for things like a bedside lamp (which has the added benefit of freeing up space on your nightstand). Others cast a wider beam to help light up a room. The goal with lamps and sconces is to provide a small amount of light, and have multiple sources spread throughout the room. That way you eliminate harsh bright spots, and each area of a space can be evenly lit with softer light.
Change Out Lampshades
An easy way to change up lighting using lamps and fixtures you already have is to simply change out the shades. You can also get large or smaller shades to dramatically change the aesthetic of a lamp without having to get a whole new unit.
Consider swapping clear glass shades for opaque glass or fabric options that diffuse the light, creating a softer look. You can also opt for shades in different patterns or colors to add design interest to a space, or play off an accent color (which you can mimic with smaller items like pillows and shelf decor).
Use Candles & Portable Lights
You can probably tell by now, but the name of the game is soft ambient light, rather than spotlights or bright room-filling sources. Candles are a great way to add ambiance to a space that just needs a little more light. Candles have added benefits too, the light is dynamic because the flame moves, which adds interest to a space. Consider using candle holders with high sides and cutouts, which can cast interesting shapes on nearby walls and furniture. You can also get scented candles that add a whole other dimension. Just be careful to keep them away from anything flammable, and never leave them unattended.
If you want an option that can be left unattended, is kid and pet friendly, and useful all over the house, consider portable rechargeable lights. There are hundreds of designs available at various price points, and many of them are safe to leave outside as well. These allow you to move the lights to where they’re needed and utilize the same fixtures in multiple locations. You could have small lights that create a relaxing atmosphere for an evening glass of wine inside, and take them outside to use as a dining table centerpiece when you host friends and family. These also last longer than candles and don’t need to be repurchased as frequently.
Manipulate the Natural Light
When thinking about the lighting in a space, it’s not all about artificial light, you also have control over natural light. If you want to make a very bright space feel more cozy and intimate, consider using semi-sheer curtains that can diffuse bright sunlight. You can even layer these with some darker fabric curtains that could block out more light for daytime movies. These have an added benefit of making a space feel more private if you have neighbors close by.
If you want to brighten up a space that does not get a lot of light, consider adding mirrors on the walls, or floor length pieces if you have the space. Mirrors will bounce light around a space, making it feel brighter without using any electricity. This is a great trick for long hallways that don’t have windows, corners of rooms where there isn’t much natural light, or basement areas with small windows. Mirrors will also make a room feel larger just by virtue of being reflective, and they even bounce the artificial light around as well, amplifying the light from any nearby lamps.
