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how to choose the best lighting for your home
Lighting choices can be tough, but we are breaking it down for you in this post. We make it easy so you can be successful in all your lighting design decisions. Let’s get started!
Lighting is everything. I know it sounds cliche but in this case it’s true. Lighting is everything. For this very reason, choosing lighting can be a bit daunting. With every lighting choice you make, you have the power to make or break a room. No pressure. Whether we’re talking about chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces or table lamps, lighting has the ability to add style, drama, character and charm to every room in your home. Getting nervous? Don’t be. I’m going to show you fool-proof ways to ensure you make fabulous design choices for guaranteed success.
While the focus of this post is table lamps, most of these tips can be applied to all your lighting choices. This post is sponsored, but all the views expressed are my honest opinions and based on my own experience.
Choosing the Perfect Lighting
First off you’ll want to start with a high-end retailer with a large selection of lights to choose from like Lamps Plus. The quality products at Lamps Plus, massive selection and great reputation mean you know you’re going to be happy with whatever you choose.
5 Key Lighting Questions To Ask Yourself
Use these questions to narrow down your choices and help you identify your perfect lighting.
- What is the style of the room? Is it traditional? Modern? Glam or farmhouse? Define the room where you want the lights to go.
- What are the different materials or elements already in use in the room? Are there different metals, gold, silver or iron in the room? Are there different color woods?
- What is the function of the lights? How much light do you want/need from them or will they be used mostly for decor?
- What is the size of the space they will be used in? This is especially important when buying online. You will want to take measurements and note the size of the lamps you are looking at. Pictures alone do not always provide enough information about size.
- What is the surface where the lamps will sit? Consider size and style. Are both a good fit?
How I Made My Lamps Plus Lighting Decision
Let me walk you through my lighting decision-making process as an example.
1. My Goal: More Ambient Lighting
Why ambient lighting? It adds a cozier feel to a space making it more inviting and warm. Sometimes we might not want overhead lights. Lamps give you options.
2. Create Separation Between Spaces
To create a bit of separation between the family room/couch sitting area and the kitchen eating area I decided to look for lamps for my console table behind my couch.
3. Carefully Consider Elements to Compliment Your Room
While I wanted to create more definition in the separate spaces at the same time I didn’t want to lose the open feel of the room. For this reason I decided to choose lamps made out of glass. This would allow the light to pass through and I wouldn’t create the feeling of blocking off the space.
I chose lamps with a wood element because I love the natural feel of wood. The color of the wood was also a near match to the wood bar stools I had in the kitchen. All the elements of my great room are connected, so it was important to carefully consider all these things. Even though the kitchen stools are technically in another area of the room by choosing a similar shade of wood it added a unity to the space that was very soothing and harmonious.
4. Style Decisions
Although the style in my great room is always in a bit of a flux these lamps are the perfect base to play off my different moods. My core furniture pieces are all casual, classic-modern pieces that are neutral in color and made from natural materials like wood, cotton, and glass. These lamps will be able to grow with me and blend with my decor no matter what my mood or the season I’m styling.
The next time you are thinking about adding or updating your lighting I hope you will follow these 5 important tips. In addition be sure to follow Lamps Plus on Instagram @LampsPlus for daily lighting inspiration and design trends. When you’re ready to shop head to Lamps Plus on-line or if you are local visit one of their two San Francisco East Bay Locations for a large selection of high-end lighting choices:
Lamps Plus Pleasant Hill #35
550 Contra Costa Pleasant Hill, CA 94523925-687-6723
Lamps Plus Dublin #48
7256 San Ramon Rd Dublin, CA 94568925-479-0193 Armed with these tips we hope you’ll find it easier to make your next lighting decisions. Now that you know how to decide, you can relax and enjoy the process. Cheers to happy, successful decorating!
What a great and informative post about lamps. Btw, your lamp choice goes so perfectly with your decor! Your lamp is so unique and gorgeous, just like the two of you!!!
Great tips! I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this but I’m a recovered lamp hoarder. I use to have lamps EVERY where in my home! (like 3 just in the kitchen) but then I had kids and they all started crashing down. I cannot WAIT to fall off the sober lamp hoarding wagon again after my kids grow up!
Marci,
Haha, we did not know this about you…all is being slowing revealed 🙂 Well then, we sure don’t have to tell you about how much fun there is to be had with lamps! When they get bigger you’ll have an additional reward to sending them off to school. Until then you’ll call these “the dark days” Love you, Julie & Jodie
I like how you used your lamps as a way to separate your family room and kitchen area so that the area is still open instead of being closed with a folding screen or something of the like. My house is older so it doesn’t have much lighting inside so I’ve been wanting to add more. I’ll have to see if there’s a place near me that can help with the lighting design in my house.
Hazel,
So glad you enjoyed this idea for separating a space! We wish you luck in finding a lighting design location near you and hope to inspire you in the future! XO ~ Julie & Jodie
Hey guys, I don’t suppose you have a product code for those particular lamps do you? My wife loves them but I can’t seem to find them on the Lamps Plus website.
Any idea what they’re called? Many thanks, David
Hi David,
You may have missed them because there are 2 colors, and the silver/white option is the one that is visible on the website. It’s called Possini Euro Design Swift Modern Wood and Glass Table Lamp, and the style #9J150. Thanks for your interest!
We hope your wife loves them!
Fondly,
Jodie & Julie
I am glad you said that with every lighting choice you make you have the power to make or break a room. I have been looking into some recessed lighting for my cabinets. Thank you for the tips on making lighting choices.
Sutton,
Thank you for the sweet comments! We are so pleased that you found this post so helpful!
XO ~ Jodie & Julie
Thank you for pointing out that one of the things that I need to consider before choosing a lighting is whether or not I need it to be bright as well as how I intend to use it. In my case, I intend to use the light as a way to let the people know that my shop exists and it is open. Because of this, I am pretty sure I will need a bright light to cover the place. The question is what type of light is best? I will ask a professional’s suggestion.
Tatiana,
Yes, this is true. These are all important questions to get answered before choosing your lighting. Sometimes we just get caught up in style alone forgetting the practical side of things. Glad you are consulting with professionals. Thanks for visiting our blog. Wishing you the best, Julie & Jodie
Thank you for pointing out that one of the things that I need to consider before choosing a lamp is how I intend to use it and the amount of light that I need. Actually, what I want is a lamp to be fixed on the walls of the porch. Basically, I want a lighting system that is bright but not too much. Something that will give off a romantic feeling. It might be best if I asked an expert.
Tammy, All those things are indeed important considerations. It is hard to tell in advance. So yes, it might be wise to consult with a lighting expert so you get the desired results. I love dimmers for the versatility. Because sometimes you need and want bright light and other times you want the ability to dim! Good luck on your projects. We hope you will continue to visit and enjoy our blog. Best, Julie & Jodie
Thank you so much for this post! I love lamps too, so your information is very helpful. But here’s my problem….light bulbs. Oh my goodness, when I go to purchase there is so many options. I get them home and they are either too bright or makes the room yellow. Help please!
Gaye,
We are so glad you to hear you liked this post. Thank you so much for the kind words. We truly appreciate your support. We absolutely understand, it can be overwhelming when there are so many choices. I would suggest choosing “warm white” or something that isn’t such a bright white. Hopefully that makes sense. You can also look up the best light bulb colors for indoor lighting on Google and you’ll find lots of good information. Hope that helps hun!
Lots of love,
Jodie & Julie