Expert Tips on Interior Lighting

There’s an art and a science to lighting a room properly and we’ve got the scoop for you so you can light up your rooms like a pro! Make sure you have a mix of light sources at different levels to create a flattering ambience, and the appropriate task lighting you need for whatever you do in that space (reading, pan-frying, getting dressed). Here are tips for five key spots.

lampLiving Room: Light three of the four corners, focusing one of those lights on an object (art, a plant, a nice looking chair). Use a combination of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a downward glow and some that shine upward. Allow for reading in as many seats as possible with down-glowing lamps on three-way switches. If you have an overhead fixture, put it on a dimmer so you have some flexibility.

Dining Room: To draw people in, make the table the brightest spot in the room – easily done with a chandelier or a pendant above the table, limiting the total wattage to 100. Elsewhere in the room, indirect lighting is best—it’s relaxing and flattering. Give the space a subtle glow with a pair of small table lamps on a sideboard or matching sconces on the wall above.

Kitchen: Focus on overhead lighting (on a dimmer that you can crank up when cooking), and add lower sources to illuminate work surfaces. Use pendants, under-cabinet lights, or a sturdy table lamp if you have an office/command centre in your kitchen.

Bedroom: Go for a cozy atmosphere: Place reading lamps or sconces by the bed—but not pointed directly at it. If you have recessed or track fixtures, angle them away from the bed, toward the dressing area. On a low table, include a small, intimate lamp with a tinted low-wattage bulb to mimic candlelight.

Bathroom: The best choice for applying makeup is sidelights, such as a pair of sconces flanking the mirror. An overhead light helps fill in any shadows on your face and also fully illuminates the room (important when cleaning). If you have a large bathroom, you might also want a light directly over the shower.