Lighting is a huge element of design that a lot of amateur and DIY designers take for granted. As the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, John Elliott Interiors has the expertise to help guide you in the right direction when choosing your lighting fixtures. It's not just about what the lighting fixture looks like, but also how it makes the rest of your home look. Check it out!
The light fixtures you choose can make a big difference in how your overall design turns out. An airy, modern home would look confusing with a massive deer antler shed chandelier. But a piece like that would be perfect in a rustic log home.
When you choose the right lights, you can enhance the look of your home by...
Vaulted ceilings make an incredible statement, but that space can be wasted if it’s not used properly. An interesting light fixture draws the eye up and accentuates this feature. Don’t be afraid to go with a bigger statement here – the extra space can handle it, and a small light may get swallowed up without being able to make an impact.
If you have low ceilings, a chandelier may not be the best choice. Hanging light fixtures can draw attention to the lack of height in a room. A great alternative is recessed lighting because these lights won’t take up headspace. Instead, they will make the ceiling appear brighter and give the illusion that they’re taller than they are.
Use the same kind of lighting in neighboring rooms to create a cohesive look between the spaces. If you want your dining room and kitchen to look like one space, choose light fixtures that have similar styles, or are made with the same materials. Look for lights from the same collection but in different sizes. Smaller fixtures lined up over the kitchen island can be a great style choice and creates a lot of additional light. This can be paired with a large, chandelier version of the smaller lights over the dining room table to bring the rooms together.
If you have an open floor plan and want to separate the spaces, use the opposite technique. Hanging brass lights in a kitchen with brass fixtures ties the overall design together as an individual space. Choose a matte texture or natural element for the living room lights to add an extra degree of separation.
When considering what kind of lighting to put in each room, consider the primary use of the space. Some spaces require bright lights, while others are better served by having options for varying levels of light. In your home office, it may be important to have bright, clean lighting to help you stay alert and focus. In the living room, bright lights will work well while you are entertaining guests for game night. But during the evening, you may want a softer lighting option while you unwind for the day and read a book until you’re ready to go to bed. Choose bright overhead lights to illuminate the whole space, then add lamps with soft lightbulbs for the times you want a softer option. Lights that have a dimmer function are also a great choice, as they save space by providing these options without requiring multiple light fixtures.
The lights you choose can also balance your décor. If your home has a lot of brick or metal in the design, a softer warm light can even out the look and make the space feel more inviting. If the room has a lot of softer textures and warm colors, use a brighter white light to create a fresher look in the space.
Unique light fixtures are a great way to show guests your personal style. Choose a fun fixture that matches your outgoing personality or find a lamp with a creative base that shows off one of your hobbies.
Light fixtures are also a simple and relatively affordable way to personalize the look of rental space. Instead of keeping the bland, uniform lights installed across the entire apartment complex, switch yours out for something that makes the space feel more reflective of your individuality.
The Right Lights Make an Impact
The light fixtures you choose can make a big difference in how your overall design turns out. An airy, modern home would look confusing with a massive deer antler shed chandelier. But a piece like that would be perfect in a rustic log home.
When you choose the right lights, you can enhance the look of your home by...
- Making the most of your space
- Defining design spaces
- Setting the atmosphere
- Showing off your style
Make the Most of Your Space
Vaulted ceilings make an incredible statement, but that space can be wasted if it’s not used properly. An interesting light fixture draws the eye up and accentuates this feature. Don’t be afraid to go with a bigger statement here – the extra space can handle it, and a small light may get swallowed up without being able to make an impact.
If you have low ceilings, a chandelier may not be the best choice. Hanging light fixtures can draw attention to the lack of height in a room. A great alternative is recessed lighting because these lights won’t take up headspace. Instead, they will make the ceiling appear brighter and give the illusion that they’re taller than they are.
Define Design Spaces
Use the same kind of lighting in neighboring rooms to create a cohesive look between the spaces. If you want your dining room and kitchen to look like one space, choose light fixtures that have similar styles, or are made with the same materials. Look for lights from the same collection but in different sizes. Smaller fixtures lined up over the kitchen island can be a great style choice and creates a lot of additional light. This can be paired with a large, chandelier version of the smaller lights over the dining room table to bring the rooms together.
If you have an open floor plan and want to separate the spaces, use the opposite technique. Hanging brass lights in a kitchen with brass fixtures ties the overall design together as an individual space. Choose a matte texture or natural element for the living room lights to add an extra degree of separation.
Set the Atmosphere
When considering what kind of lighting to put in each room, consider the primary use of the space. Some spaces require bright lights, while others are better served by having options for varying levels of light. In your home office, it may be important to have bright, clean lighting to help you stay alert and focus. In the living room, bright lights will work well while you are entertaining guests for game night. But during the evening, you may want a softer lighting option while you unwind for the day and read a book until you’re ready to go to bed. Choose bright overhead lights to illuminate the whole space, then add lamps with soft lightbulbs for the times you want a softer option. Lights that have a dimmer function are also a great choice, as they save space by providing these options without requiring multiple light fixtures.
The lights you choose can also balance your décor. If your home has a lot of brick or metal in the design, a softer warm light can even out the look and make the space feel more inviting. If the room has a lot of softer textures and warm colors, use a brighter white light to create a fresher look in the space.
Show Off Your Style
Unique light fixtures are a great way to show guests your personal style. Choose a fun fixture that matches your outgoing personality or find a lamp with a creative base that shows off one of your hobbies.
Light fixtures are also a simple and relatively affordable way to personalize the look of rental space. Instead of keeping the bland, uniform lights installed across the entire apartment complex, switch yours out for something that makes the space feel more reflective of your individuality.
Professional Interior Design
John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks. So, if you’re not sure where to start on a room’s design, come see our expert designers. We would love to help guide you with our expertise and the great inspiration that comes from our high-end home store in Lake Ozark. We even have a large selection of light fixtures you can peruse in order to find the perfect piece!
