Lighting Design Ideas to Transform Every Room in the House

Create an Eye-Catching Atmosphere with Intentional Lighting Design 

Have you ever glanced into the window of a home and felt captivated by its atmosphere? How do they make it look so luxurious inside? 

It’s not just furniture, wall coverings, or artwork. More often than not, lighting design is the defining factor. 

But lighting design is not just about placing fixtures randomly around your home—it’s a thoughtful and intentional process. As a lighting designer in New Orleans, learn how we apply lighting design techniques to enhance every room of the house. 

SEE ALSO: What Makes for a Successful Lighting Design? 

Basic Lighting Design Principles

Let’s lay the groundwork for great lighting design. First, one of the main principles is the concept of layering, which involves a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, task lighting is used for specific activities, and accent lighting is used to highlight architectural features or decorative elements.

Another important principle is color temperature, which refers to the warmth or coolness of the light emitted by a bulb. Warm light, with a lower color temperature (measured in Kelvins), creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cool light, with a higher color temperature, is more energizing and suitable for task-oriented areas like the kitchen.

Lastly, light direction and placement can greatly impact the aesthetics of your home. By strategically directing light toward specific areas, you can create eye-catching focal points. 

Lighting Design for Every Room 

Living Room

To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, consider incorporating a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting in the living room.

Start by installing a central fixture, such as a chandelier or a statement pendant light, to provide overall illumination. Next, add table lamps or floor lamps in strategic locations for reading, games, or other activities. 

Wall sconces or picture lights offer intriguing accent lighting. Placed above artwork or architectural features, they’ll draw attention to unique elements and add depth to the space. Add dimmer switches or smart keypads to adjust lighting levels for the perfect mood. 

Kitchen

Lighting serves both functional and aesthetic purposes in the kitchen. Start with recessed lights or track lighting for ambient illumination. Under-cabinet lights brighten countertop workspaces, improving visibility for cooking and cleaning. 

To add a touch of elegance, consider pendant lights above the kitchen island or dining area. These fixtures not only illuminate your meals but also serve as decorative elements. 

Lastly, smart LEDs allow you to customize the color and brightness, so you can instantly switch between customized ‘Cooking’ and ‘Dining’ scenes. 

Bedroom

Set the mood for winding down with color-tunable smart lights. A central fixture, like a mount ceiling light or chandelier, provides overall illumination and an anchor for the bedroom’s lighting. Table lamps or wall sconces should provide enough light to read while maintaining a soft ambiance.

Pro tip: Install light switches or keypads by your bedside so it’s easy to turn off the room (and even the whole house) from the comfort of your bed. 

Bathroom

Proper lighting is crucial for grooming and getting ready in the bathroom. Vertical fixtures or wall sconces on either side of your mirror will create a flattering light for grooming while eliminating harsh shadows. To create a spa-like atmosphere, install recessed lights above the shower area. 

Outdoors 

Why hide your home and outdoor spaces in the dark? With an outdoor lighting design, you’ll spend more time outside than ever. Overhead fixtures, such as string lights, lanterns, or fixtures suspended from trees, provide overall illumination and warmth. Pathway lights or step lights to ensure safe navigation in the dark. And for a touch of drama, add well lights or uplights to generate depth and intrigue within trees and plants. 

Are you ready to enhance the appearance and experience of your New Orleans home? Contact Acadian today to learn more about our lighting design and smart lighting service!