Home Improvement Ideas Lighting Lighting Planning 15 Easy Ideas for Better Lighting Lighting can make or break a room's design and mood. Get these expert tips on choosing updated fixtures, bulbs, and switches. By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 30, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of The American Lighting Association Lighting choices can make or break a room's design and mood. Fix outdated or inefficient lights with these expert tips on choosing and updating fixtures, bulbs, and switches. Use these lighting ideas to brighten rooms, save energy, and give your home an entirely new look. 15 Easy Ideas for Better Lighting 01 of 15 Choose a Lighting Focal Point Courtesy of The American Lighting Association Not all fixtures—chandeliers, lamps, sconces—should be the same size—otherwise, the eye searches for visual clarity without landing on anything specific. A chandelier makes a great focal point for a large space, such as a dining room or family room. In a smaller-scale room, think about a distinctive floor lamp or vintage-inspired sconces flanking a piece of wall art. 21 Ideas for Lighting Any Room in Your Home 02 of 15 Consider Scale When Selecting Fixtures Courtesy of The American Lighting Association Lighting shouldn't overpower a room—but it shouldn't get lost. Scale matters when choosing the best light fixtures for your space, and a few guidelines can help you get the look right. The length plus the width of any room in feet should generally equal the diameter of a chandelier in inches. For example, if you have a 10x10-foot room, your fixture should be about 20 inches in diameter. 03 of 15 Layer Lighting for Balance Courtesy of the American Lighting Association Layers are essential when it comes to lighting. For the best balance, aim for at least three light sources in every space, including the powder room or foyer. In small spaces, you can reduce the bulb wattage and the size of the fixtures to accommodate fewer square feet. Just don't ignore the accent layer, which helps to highlight the extra details you've used to finish your rooms. 25 Entryway Lighting Ideas for a Warm Welcome 04 of 15 Use Dimmers Wherever Possible Courtesy of The American Lighting Association Dimmers can instantly change a room's atmosphere—and help you save on your electricity bill. Install dimmer switches in as many rooms and with as many fixtures as you'd like to gain more control over your lighting. Use dimmers to change the mood and balance artificial with natural light. 05 of 15 Use Lighting in Unexpected Ways Courtesy of The American Lighting Association Lighting is so much more than overhead fixtures and portable lamps. Besides adding functional task lighting, you can use pinpointed illumination to give your home an unexpected glow—and a personalized touch. Some of our favorite outside-the-box lighting ideas include hanging a pendant bedside or highlighting a bookshelf with mini lights that highlight artwork or other display pieces. You could also light a plant by hiding a small spotlight next to a large container and turning it at about a 45-degree angle up toward the foliage. 06 of 15 Download a Lighting Control App Paul Costello Let's say you're watching TV on the couch and left an upstairs light on, or you're going on vacation and don't want the house to look vacant. Or maybe you want to turn on the living room lamps before you get home so you're not walking into a dark house. With the help of today's easy-to-use smartphone and tablet apps, you can control your home's lighting, window treatments, temperature, and more. Many apps also have settings you can define, so with the touch of a button, your lights can be set to "dinner party" or "wake-up time." 4 Easy Ways to Introduce Smart Lighting into Your Home 07 of 15 Change Frequently-Used Lightbulbs Anthony Masterson Consider changing out the bulbs in the fixtures you use most often, such as in a kitchen or an entryway, for energy-efficient models. Energy Star-labeled bulbs can have a significant impact on your home's energy conservation: You can save substantially on energy costs per bulb, cut general energy use, and generate much less heat. A manufacturer's warranty is required for a bulb to be labeled Energy Star. 08 of 15 Update Your Ceiling Fan Robert Brinson When was the last time you updated your ceiling fan? If you don't remember, now may be the time for an upgrade. Newer ceiling fan motors use much less energy and operate cooler to the touch than older motors. Many are also more quiet than older fans, and modern designs are available in all decor styles. The 8 Best Ceiling Fans of 2024, According to Testing 09 of 15 Tailor Media Room Lighting to Your Needs David A Land TV-focused spaces need less overhead and more ambient and task lighting like lamps. This helps to reduce glare on the screen. Good task lighting also means that while the room can be dim, someone who wants to read can have ample lighting, thanks to a table lamp. Consider natural sources of light when planning a media room, and install good light-controlling window treatments so a sunny day doesn't dampen your entertainment pursuits. 10 of 15 Change Your Older Lighting Fixtures Anthony Masterson Photography Lighting manufacturers have made it easier to replace energy-hogging fixtures and bulbs with ones that last longer and trim utility bills. Old lighting fixtures can quickly date a space. Replacing old chandeliers and flush-mount lights with fresh models can take years off your home's looks. How to Install a Light Fixture for a Fast Room Refresh 11 of 15 Pick a New Shade Ann VanderWiel Wilde Lampshades have more practical design power than they get credit for. Lighter-color shades can diffuse light in the broader circle. A darker shade concentrates the light, focusing it on a surface. A new shade is also an opportunity to try out a punch of color and pattern before you redo a whole room. 12 of 15 Replace a Light Switch Paul Dyer Newer bulbs respond better to newer switches. With wireless options (usually operated with remotes), you can control the light from anywhere in a room or house. Being able to control lighting with a remote is a smart solution if you want to improve lighting in a bedroom. Once you're cozy in bed, you don't need to get up to turn off or adjust the lights. 13 of 15 Check the Height of Your Dining Room Chandelier Annie Schlechter What's the secret to a beautiful dining room? An eye-catching chandelier, of course. To make your space shine, keep this lighting tip and rule of thumb in mind: generally, the bottom of a chandelier should be about 30 inches from the top of your table. 14 of 15 Change to LED Holiday Lights Ray Kachatorian Americans gobble up more than 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year to power mini holiday lights. Make the switch to LED holiday bulbs and trim your energy budget. In addition, LED lights last about 30 holiday seasons, according to the EPA. The 17 Best Christmas Lights for Festive Illumination of 2023 15 of 15 Improve Outdoor Lighting Richard Leo Johnson Beautiful lighting is great, but safety and convenience are important concerns for exterior fixtures and landscape lighting. If you have a dark entrance—a side door, a garage door—install either a sconce or a matching set. You'll stop fumbling for keys and feel more secure. Brighten Up Your Home with These Backyard Lighting Ideas More Tips for a Well-Lit Home 5 Bathroom Lighting Ideas for a Spa-Like Effect Our Guide to Under-Cabinet Lighting The 15 Best Pendant Lights of 2024 for Every Style and Budget Picture Lighting Makes Even Budget Wall Art Look Gallery-Worthy 26 Kitchen Lighting Ideas That Make a Statement Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit