How to Master Interior Lighting in Your Home

Are you stuck with just ceiling lights and yearning for inspiration to make your space warmer and cosier? Well you’ve come to the right place, here you’ll find the answers to these lighting questions and more. Today, we’re delving into the world of lighting, lighting plays a pivotal role in setting the mood, highlighting your decor, and enhancing functionality. So, let’s dive into some tips that will brighten up your home, both literally and figuratively, along with some examples of lighting we’ve designed.

Choosing the Right Light Bulb

When it comes to creating the perfect atmosphere in your home, nothing beats warm white lighting. Unlike its cooler counterpart, warm white lighting exudes a calming and inviting ambiance that’s perfect for any room. I recommend using warm white bulbs in lamps, wall lights, and even LED shelving units to achieve a comfortable and even level of light. This sets the stage for a cosy and welcoming environment that’s perfect for relaxing with a good book or enjoying a glass of wine with friends.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is all about providing the right amount of light for specific activities in your home. Whether it’s reading, cooking, or working on a craft project, task lighting ensures you have the illumination you need without overloading the room with brightness. Consider installing overhead lamps or pendant lights in areas where focused light is essential, like above your kitchen island for meal prep or near your favourite reading nook.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the secret weapon of interior designers. It’s the key to making your favourite decor items, artwork, or architectural features truly shine. Think about wall lights that cast a warm glow on your art collection or uplighting fixtures that highlight your indoor plants, adding that coveted “wow” factor to your room. Installing accent lighting can turn your home into a gallery of your favourite things.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some examples of how we use lighting in our designs (here you will notice the impact of lighting):

Oversized Bulbs with Dimmers:

Consider using warm white LED oversized bulbs with dimmable switches. This allows you to create a soothing ambient glow or crank up the brightness for task lighting when needed.

Home theater – small eclectic enclosed carpeted and beige floor home theater idea in Hampshire with black walls and a wall-mounted tv

Bookcase and Mantel Lighting:

Illuminate your bookshelves and mantel with carefully placed lights. This not only enhances your decor but also provides ambient lighting for the entire room without overwhelming your senses.

Family living room with a working log burner, and fireplace, and built in shelving. Light walls and flooring, with contrast of the fireplace and glass crittall wall.

Island Unit Lights:

In the kitchen, island unit lighting are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. It adds to the overall ambiance when used with a dimmer for those more intimate gatherings.

Mid-sized minimalist beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Hampshire with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash & black appliances.

Downlights and Plinth Lighting:

Ideal for a kitchen, these additions not only contribute to the room’s overall ambiance but also provide task lighting for kitchen prep work.

White cabinets with silver handles, wooden wrap around counter tops, with contrasted marble island. 2 sinks, discreet built-in extractor fan & black oven.

Artistic Wall Lights:

Install wall lights to highlight your favourite pieces of art. The individual control and the main switch offer versatility in setting the mood.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless formal and enclosed carpeted and beige floor living room remodel in Hampshire with blue walls, a wood stove, a brick fireplace and a corner tv.

Bedroom Reading Lights:

Wall lights with toggle switches can also be installed in the bedroom to provide task lighting for reading while creating a cosy and warm ambiance.

Example of a small eclectic guest carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Hampshire with gray walls.

Maximising Natural Light:

Don’t forget about natural light. High-hung roman blinds (like the picture below) can make your windows appear taller and allow ample ambient light to flood your space during the day.

Grade II cottage snug, dark furnishings with light walls for contrast. Bespoke upholstery. Existing fireplace with beam.

Desk Lamps:

A favourite of mine – this desk lamp provides excellent task lighting ( and lighting for the plant). By adding a lamp to your workspace, it also adds a touch of style to the room.

Small eclectic freestanding desk carpeted and beige floor study room remodel in Hampshire with blue walls.

Accent Lighting for a Bathroom Alcove:

It’s all about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in a room where relaxation and rejuvenation are top priorities. The small warm glows of accent lighting can turn your bathroom into a private sanctuary.

Claw-foot bathtub – mid-sized modern kids’ gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, beige floor and single-sink claw-foot bathtub idea in Hampshire with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, multicolored

Incorporating the right lighting into your home can have a transformative effect. From creating a warm and inviting atmosphere to emphasising your most cherished decor pieces, lighting is a crucial element in interior design. At Willow Grey Interiors, we believe that every space deserves to be beautifully lit. So, whether you’re revamping your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, remember these lighting tips to brighten up your home and elevate its aesthetic appeal. If you have any questions or need further assistance with your interior lighting design, feel free to reach out to our experts. Your dream home is just a flick of the switch away!