6 Fabulous Interior Lighting Ideas
September 21, 2015 • By Kellie SmithDetails make a space and none more than lighting.
I gathered
6 Fabulous Interior Lighting Ideas
to share with you , to show you how lighting can tell your design story.
I love lighting. Love, love love it.
It’s really one of my favorite parts of designing a home, after the color part, of course.
I’m going to sound rude when I say this, but I often see that lighting is an afterthought for some. Ugh. So unnecessary!!
Gorgeous lighting is easy to find and can be incredibly affordable.
It’s important because it is crucial in setting the tone for a space.
I’ve created 6 different room moods, using the same sofa in each space. Watch how changing the lighting, changes the room. You can check out the Price of landscaping when you want to hire somebody to make your garden beautiful.
And I didn’t even layer in color, flooring or accessories!
Room 1: Industrial Modern
rope chandelier/wall sconce/desk lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #1
When choosing lighting, do not buy all matching pieces. Find something that ties your selections together, but isn’t too “matchy-matchy”.
In the Industrial Modern look, I used black and brass as my guide for selecting, however, there is no brass on the chandelier. It works because the color of the rope represents the brass.
Room 2: Hollywood Glam
chandelier/wall sconce/floor lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #2
It isn’t necessary that all the lighting be out of the same finish. It’s easy to figure out a way to tie lighting together, in the Hollywood Glam room, it’s the shine of the crystals and glass.
Room 3: Black and White Modern
chandelier/wall sconce/floor lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #3
Have traditional furniture but want a more modern feel? Do it with your lighting! This very traditional Chesterfield style sofa looks amazing with the ultra modern lighting.
Notice in this space, the two commons with the lighting: round and white. None of the three are from the same grouping, they work together but they do not match.
Room 4: Library Formal
chandelier/wall sconce/table lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #4
When considering lighting for your space, make sure you have your basics covered: overhead lighting, ambient lighting and task lighting.
Room 5: Regal Man Cave
chandelier/wall sconce/desk lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #5
Lighting is a great way to bring in a little quirk. Every room needs an element of surprise, a little something unexpected. Lighting can do that! How about the liquor bottle lamp in the Regal Man Cave? Or should I say Chivas Regal Man Cave…
Room 6: Shabby Chic Mix
chandelier/wall sconce/table lamp/sofa
Lighting Selection Tip #6
It’s hard to tell sizing of chandeliers in a lighting store or online. Stores have soaring ceilings that your home may not have. A rule of thumb for a placing chandelier is that you never want the bottom of the chandelier below 7 feet. So if your ceilings are 9 foot in height, then you have 2 feet to work with. A chandelier of 18″ in length is as long as you would want, as that would allow for 6″ of chain. The exception to this rule is if the light is over a table, then you can drop it down a little lower.
I sure hope you find my lighting tips helpful!
Now shine on my friends, shine on.
This post was done in partnership with Parrot Uncle Lighting and S:CRAFT home improvement company. My love and opinion of their fabulous selection and amazing pricing is strictly my own.
There are affiliate links contained in this post. If you click and purchase I may be entitled to a small commission. Yay me! However, it does not cost you one red cent more. Yay you! I call that a win/win. Thank you Air Duct Cleaning Dallas for helping to support my love of all things beautiful in my home.
How did I never realize that *every* room needs ambient lighting? Such a “duh” moment here.
But about table chandeliers–what’s the suggested drop for that? I’m working with a small space and low (8′) ceilings.
LOVE your blog!
Hi Kendra and thank you! The ambient lighting provides light without having to use an overhead light source so the lighting is softer…not so in your face. Personally, I would rather have on 5 lamps than one overhead, unless I need that much light for a function. For the light over a table you can drop down as low as 6′ – 6.5′ and it will usually not interfere with head bumping but just be sure to take the width of the light into consideration as much as the height. If you have a 48″ round table then you will not want a 36″ round light that you drop lower. Also consider things such as view of the room, is there a window beyond the light fixture that you do not want to block with a light fixture. You can email me if you have any other questions. (-: Thanks so much for stopping by!
You are so talented! I wish I had your eye for decorating!!! Good thing I have you around to help!!
Awww, thank you Sara! Yep, I’m here to help any time! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog!
Love this!!!!
Thank you Ruthie! Thank you so much for stopping by the blog! (-:
Kelli, thanks for all the suggestions. We are building a home so it’s really helping me make decisions. Love all the posts. Deb
Thank you Deb! Hope your build is going well. Thanks so much for following the blog! xxoo
Loved the suggestions about height of lighting. I hadn’t heard that information before.
Glad to be of help Kathy! Lighting sizes are always deceiving, you really need to measure to make the best decision. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh my you made this hard. I love them all but my favorite has to be the second style.. no wait I like the first style the best! Ugh ok I love all of the lighting choices. I’ll take one of each. But seriously my house has mixes of glam and mid century so any of the top two style boards would work beautifully! If you had to pick on what’s your favorite lighting style?
Lesley recently posted…Best Fall Round up
Lol Lesley! I’m all over the board. I love so many different styles and I love to mix! Thanks for stopping by!
I love all the different looks you assembled. I think my favorite is the Industrial modern. 🙂
Tee @ Beauteeful Living recently posted…Farm Home Tour By The Dempster Logbook
I liked the Industrial style a lot as well Tee! So glad you stopped by! Thank you!
You’d think lighting WAS an afterthought in my house since we are lovers of ceiling fans. I was tempted to put a chandelier in the study, but now that I’m sitting here feeling warm, I know I will find a suitable fan instead. hee hee Here’s to super-cute lamps!
Leilani recently posted…Leek and Potato Gratin
Yes here’s to super-cute lamps Leilani!! (-:
Wow – so many cool lights. I like how you’ve grouped them together. You could do a whole post on the formulas for picking lighting heights and sizes…
Thanks! That’s a great idea…think I will do that!! (-:
This was terrific! I am definitely guilty of lighting being an after thought. I love how you used the same couch and create totally different spaces with the fixtures. I would never have thought that fixtures could do that much.
Great job!
🙂
Traci
Star Traci recently posted…Wordless Wednesday #144 — Partners in Crime
I know, crazy right? Lighting really has a huge impact on a space. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I need to update the lighting in our home. We have the dreaded brass look from the 80’s. These tips will be wonderful when I’m ready to purchase new lighting. Pinned for reference, thank you!
Oh great! Thank you Jane!! Glad to help!
You are a hoot and a complete riot! I LOVE that in a person! ???? I happened to come across you while browsing the Hometalk (and let’s give props to that fun site) and immediately fell in love with your blog. I also design and craft, though I’ve not posted or blogged (obviously missing a ton of fun and don’t know why I don’t, as I love to share and help. Hmmm). Thank you for some great ideas and inspirations. I’m already thinking of ways to entice someone to be the willing ‘Accomplice’ as I don’t have a ready one lol. I do cook and bake well so I think I can make a decent trade (homade snickers anyone?)lol. Sharing your blog with friends and my very crafty daughter (you rock Liz!????).
Hi Liz!! Thanks so much for sharing my blog! Yay!!!!! I’m fairly new, I just started blogging in May, so now I know you and my Mom read it! Yippee!! Yes, Hometalk. Wow, what a cool site! I’ve got to slow down long enough to make some boards and do some of the other fun stuff on there. That place is amazing. You should write a blog. It’s fun! Time consuming. but fun. (If you decide to start I have a book you will want to read.) And yes, everyone needs an Accomplice. Good grief I wouldn’t have any fingers left if it weren’t for him! Thanks so much for sharing. xxooo -Kellie
I have noticed that the black leather sofa is the most versatile design/function piece in every room theme.
I know, can you believe how it looks good with every style? Thank you for stopping by!
Great tips, I like all the different styles, such versatility! 🙂
Sammy @ Bargainbaglady {xx}
http://Www.bargainbaglady.com
Sammy (Bargain Baglady) recently posted…My top 5 favourite thrifted pieces for 2015
Thank you Sammy! Thank you for stopping by the blog. (-:
I love your choices! Lighting can make or break a space and the fixtures and lamps you chose tie in so well the other elements of your designs.
Thank you Michelle! I’m so glad you like them! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog.
I too am all about lighting. We have a space in our living room where there just is nothing overhead. I’d like to put in a chandelier but there is no ceiling energy source. Can you power a chandelier with a light socket somehow? We just need something overhead. Curious if you have any suggestions 🙂
Hi Christie, you can find a chandelier that is not to be hardwired, but runs off an electrical cord. I know that Lamps Plus had them at one time, if Parrot Uncle doesn’t. You would plug it into the wall then swag the cord up and over with hooks. It has a bohemian feel. Hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Absolutely amazing idea! Thank you for sharing! There are a lot of things that people have wanted in their apartment or homes but the main constraint is their low budget. I always love to read about the ideas which are budget friendly and love share it with my friends and family members to help them out. Thanks again and keep updating us.
Really you did a good job. I’m really impressed by the Regal Man Cave.Thanks for sharing. Great review!
I love your tip about making sure your lighting ties everything together but doesn’t necessarily have to match when going with an Industrial Modern look. It seems like getting the light just right would be even more important when trying to lay out a commercial space. Finding a professional to help set this up would probably be very helpful to both commercial and residential owners. I would assume that having the right lighting could help people feel happier and in a better mood.