Designer's Tips: Lighting

Can you add too much light to a room?

Yes you can. When designing with light you must consider all light sources, including natural light. You must also take into account day and evening options.

If you over light a room, the effect will be harsh and uncomfortable especially at nighttime. If you have layered your lighting correctly you need not rely on your decorative pieces for light – lamps with dark or black shades, or chandeliers with dimmer switches are among the lighting options that can be added for fashion without over lighting your room.

In location of lighting, are there other do’s and don’ts?

One of the most important considerations in the placement of light fixtures is the glare they produce. Direct glare – as from a bare light bulb – is the worst kind. Always use the correct bulbs to avoid glare and also beware of reflected glare, light that bounces off of other objects into the eyes.

My room seems too big/small…. how can lighting help?

The direction in which you point the light can be very helpful. Ceilings can pose problems, or they can become special features. If the ceilings seem too low, bounce light from up-light fixtures (like torchieres) as this can visually “raise” the ceilings. Cathedral or beamed ceilings can also he highlighted and take on new importance in the overall design of a room with up lighting. Two common problems in older homes are rough or patchy surfaces., and high, cavernous ceilings. To alleviate lighting issues, keep the lighting off the ceiling by using only down lighting (like chandeliers or semi-flush mounts). Imperfections in a surface will be less noticeable without direct light shining on them.

Room dimensions can “appear” to be altered with the proper lighting. Smaller rooms can look more expansive and large rooms can be warmed with the correct lighting fixtures. Washing the four walls of a room with soft light, combined with a light toned paint can create the effect of a larger room. Conversely, a large room illuminated with a few soft pools of light concentrated on certain objects or areas can make a room feel smaller and more intimate.

What about a narrow room or hallway?

Narrow rooms can benefit by placing lighting on the short walls of the room rather than drawing attention to the long narrow walls. This results in a wider looking space. In narrow hallways choose sconces that project light both up and down the walls and that light both sides of a hallway.



I have a lot of beautiful features in my home, like stonework and silk window dressings. How can I show them off with lighting?

Skimming them with light will highlight textured surfaces, whether it be a soft surface like fabric or a hard masonry surface. Acute angle placement near these surfaces will help achieve this effect.

How can I use lighting to show off the beautiful decorative objects in my home?

Backlighting decorative objects can help accent them. Bouncing light indirectly onto an object can also achieve a pleasant effect. Lighting something from below works particularly well on transparent or translucent items such as glass.

Any tips for my Entryway?

Entries should not be overly lit. The transition from outdoors to indoor can be disorienting. Remember to avoid glare in this area. This is best done with multiple light sources. Make the entry warm and inviting. Lighting is very important here, as it is the point where the first impression is made.