The Beginner's Guide to Lighting
Find the fixture that's right for your room and brush up on the terms you need to know.
Whether you live in a lofty apartment or in an antique colonial, the right lighting can drastically impact the ambiance of your home, but knowing where (and how) to start can be daunting. From chandeliers to sconces, this beginner’s guide will help you align the right fixture for the correct space and decode the terms you’ll need to know along the way.
Before you begin, choose a room. Believe or not, a one-lamp-fits-all strategy doesn't suit every space. So what type of lighting fixture is right for which room? The answer may surprise you!
Living Room: This is a space where you can experiment with a variety of lighting options—from table lamps to chandeliers. Place a lighting fixture in three of the four corners of your room—using one light to highlight an object (think: piece of art or plant), while the other two lights work to expand the space.
Dining room: Since the dining table is the focal part of the room, it should be the brightest spot in your space. Choose a pendant light with a dimmer, as you’ll want the option to set the mood based on the occasion.
Bedroom: A cozy and relaxing atmosphere deserves soft lighting. Reading lamps on bedside tables give your space an intimate feel, while sconces take up less surface room and create a luxe aesthetic.
Kitchen: Save counter space by installing overhead lighting in your kitchen. A pendant above an island illuminates a cooking prep station and can be adjusted with a dimmer.
If you know your space calls for overhead lighting, you may get overwhelmed with the abundance of options. Don't panic—from semi-flush mount to track lighting, here are the terms you’ll need to know.
Recessed Lights: Embedded into the ceiling for a sleek and subtle look, recessed lights are small (about three inches in diameter) but emit strong light.
Track Lights: Adjustable track lighting gives you the flexibility to angle (in various directions) your lighting from the ceiling. Tracks usually have around 3-5 lights mounted on a suspended rod and can be pointed to concentrate light on a certain area or single out a specific object.
Flush-Mount: Like their name suggests, flush-mount fixtures are installed flush to the ceiling and provide whole-room illumination.
Semi-flush: More stylized than standard flush-mounts, semi-flush lights hang a foot down from the ceiling and work just as well to illuminate an entire room.
Pendant: Ideal for rooms with high ceilings (nine feet or taller), pendant lights hang from chains or cords and look good above tables and counters.
Chandelier: A type of pendant, chandeliers are more ornately decorated and often feature multiple light bulbs.
If the space you are working with would benefit more from an intimate glow than a bold ceiling light, there are three main options that will work with any decorating scheme.
Table lamp: Perfect for making spaces feel intimate, table lamps work best on side tables, credenzas, or desks. Choose one with a three-way switch for optimal brightness.
Floor lamp: Don’t have overhead lighting but want a similar effect? Floor lamps do the trick. Place one in the corner of your room to accentuate the space, or tuck one behind a sofa or accent chair to achieve that “from-above” glow.
Sconce: These wall-mounted light fixtures may take more time to install, but they pay off greatly in way of space-saving design. Not only do they preserve surface space, but sconces elevate and add polish to your room's aesthetic.
Now that you’ve picked your room and lighting fixture, it’s time to figure out what kind of light you want to emit. While there are a variety of bulbs to consider, they each have their own unique glow and can drastically change the aura of your space.
Silver Bowl: Designed with a metallic finish, this bulb emits a softer light and is ideal for fixtures without dimmers.
Soft Pink: Ideal for mood lighting, this bulb has a rosy glow perfect for an intimate setting like a dining room or boudoir.
Round Candelabra: Perfect for a chandelier, this is a modern alternative to flame-shaped bulbs and still emit a bright light.
Edison: Designed to emit a rustic glow with visible filaments, this vintage style is ideal for lighting fixtures where the bulb is exposed.
