How to Layer Lighting Like a Designer
Lighting happens to be one of my favorite things to source when it comes to interiors and home design. It can make your home feel cozy and intimate, or bright and inviting- all depending on how it’s layered. Lighting is one of those design elements that completely transforms a room. When I design lighting plans for clients (and my own home), I focus on balance, warmth, and function. Today, I’m sharing my 12 essential lighting design tips… these are practical, designer-approved ways to layer light fixtures throughout your home. I’m also including my go-to lighting resources. Believe me when I say, you’re going to want to pin this lighting post because it’s packed with LOTS of good info! Click through for all things lighting design, my best tips, a helpful FAQ, and of course- the resource list.Â
If you’ve got renovating, building, or home updates at the top of your to-do list, be sure to check out my post on how to design a cohesive home that flows room to room for more design ideas and tips. You can also find a giant curated collection in my shop, Tuesday Made! Let’s dive into some lighting rules…
12 Designer Lighting Tips
These are some basic rules designers always follow when creating a lighting plan. I wanted to share those with you, so you can decide what’s best for your home.
1. Start with a Lighting Plan
Before choosing fixtures, sketch a quick plan of each room. Just like a floor plan, this helps you visualize how the light will flow and it ensures the space is evenly lit. Consider how the room is used, too! A kitchen requires brighter lighting, while a living room benefits from warm, dimmable light. This easy exercise can also help you pinpoint where the light fixture should be positioned and what type you’ll need.
Designer tip: Every room should have three layers of light. I like to achieve this by using different types of fixtures (overhead, lamps, integrated millwork lighting, wall lighting, etc).
- Ambient: overall illumination (ceiling or recessed)
- Task: focused light for activities (lamps, pendants)
- Accent: decorative or highlight lighting (sconces, picture lights, toe kick lighting)
2. Budget for Lighting from the Start
Lighting shouldn’t be an afterthought… it’s the foundation for your space. Be sure to allocate funds for fixtures at the beginning of your renovation. I actually think it’s one of my top five areas in our home I’m willing to splurge on. You can also mix high and low fixtures for a budget-friendly approach. Make sure each space has enough lighting to illuminate the room for its given function.
3. Choose the Right Bulbs
Even the most beautiful fixture can be off-putting with the wrong bulb. After all, the function is to LIGHT a space. It’s important to buy the right bulb for brightness and temperature. The bulb alone can really influence a room for better or worse. Opt for warm white (2700K–3000K) for a soft, inviting glow. Pay attention to lumens (brightness) depending on the room’s needs. Check out this post for my designer trick for choosing the correct light temperature and bulbs!
4. Mix Fixture Types for Depth
I once went into a client’s home that was flush mount city (pre-renovation). Every single fixture in the home was a flush mount. A well-designed room includes a mix of fixtures: chandeliers, pendants, sconces, floor lamps, table lamps, picture lights, flush mounts, semi flush mounts, etc. Don’t limit yourself to one or two types of light fixtures. Each brings a different height, texture, and visual rhythm. This is how designers make rooms feel layered and dimensional.
5. Mix Metals Thoughtfully
Don’t be afraid to mix finishes- I often pair antique brass with polished nickel for timeless contrast. The key is cohesion… use the same finish within one category (all brass fixtures should be the same brass tone, for example). When in doubt, stick with one brand for consistency- brass tones can vary!
6. Disguise the Cords
Unless they’re hardwired or on a battery remote, light fixtures plug into an outlet and have a cord. Even the most intentional lighting plan can feel cluttered with messy cords. Check out this post for hiding cords for wall sconces and picture lights… I shared my tried and true method. Alternatively, you could also consider floor outlets… here is why I love floor outlets: designer tips & advantages. In situations where neither of those options are possible, use zip ties or velcro to neatly organize your cords, tucking them in an intentional way for a more tailored, thoughtful look.
7. Use Light to Highlight Features & Vignettes
Lighting should accentuate your home’s best features or a specific focal point. If your house has a beautiful architectural feature- like built-ins, highlight it with gallery lights. If there is a vignette you love, add a table or floor lamp. Think of your top three focal points in a room and add a light fixture to draw attention to those. Check out this post for how to choose the best picture light for your artwork.
8. Balance Brightness and Mood
Having a room that is “too bright” is not a good look. Many people think the brighter, the better… but that’s not the case when it comes to lighting design. Layer fixtures intentionally and aim for a warm, flattering tone. Speaking of a bright space, a good way to avoid that is to put your fixtures on dimmers, so you have complete control as the mood or function of a room changes.
9. Don’t Forget Exterior Lighting
Your exterior deserves the same thoughtful attention as your interior. We spend a LOT of time using our outdoor spaces, so this is your reminder to consider exterior fixtures. It’s often an area that is forgotten. Add front porch sconces, string lights, and landscape lighting (here’s where to install outdoor DIY solar landscape lighting) to extend your living space and create evening ambiance or a thoughtfully lit outdoor space. Exterior lighting makes a home feel inviting from the street and it’s also an easy way to boost curb appeal. Here is my designer guide for choosing timeless exterior lighting.
10. Let One Fixture Be the Star
Allow one fixture to be the star of the room- the fixture that really captures your attention. The other light fixtures should support it, rather than competing. Usually the “hero” fixture is the largest or most dramatic fixture, or it is often associated with the main focal point in the room (like a chandelier over a dining table or a sculptural pendant in the entryway.) Allow that one fixture to shine, and choose simpler supporting lights around it.
11. Integrate Contrasting Materials
All of your lighting shouldn’t be shiny metallic finishes. It’s important to incorporate other textures and surfaces into your lighting plan… consider a chandelier with a plaster finish, an oxidized metal, living brass patina, cotton shades, woven shades, etc. The goal is to add contrast for that layered look we all love.
12. Hang Fixtures at the Right Height
This really boils down to personal preference, but I like to have numbers tucked away as a starting point. Sometimes a light fixture will visually intersect with an architectural feature, a piece of art, or something else, and the alignment can look odd… so I’ll cheat it in one direction or another until it feels balanced and intentional. When planning your lighting placement, start with these general guidelines, then adjust slightly until everything feels visually cohesive with your architecture and furnishings.
Be sure to save, bookmark, or pin these designer measurements! Here are some of the basics I often refer to…
- Pendants above an island: you want at least 24″ between the pendants and a minimum of 30″-36″ clearance beneath the bottom of the pendant and the top of the counter.
- Pendant or chandelier hovering above a dining table: 30″-36″, give or take. I like to add an additional 3″ for every foot of ceiling that’s above 8 feet.
- Chandeliers and pendants in great rooms or spaces with vaulted ceilings: should be installed so the bottom of the fixture is between 8-9 feet off the floor.
- Wall sconces: should be installed 5-6 feet above the finished floor. If installing wall sconces above a mantel, I usually land anywhere between 15″-18″ above the top of the mantel.
- Gallery lights: I like them to be anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the artwork (or built-in).
- Bedside sconces: usually float around 21″-22″ above the top of the mattress, or 42″-44″ above the finished floor.
Favorite Lighting Resources
Here is a quick list of some of my go-to lighting sources- which includes a mix of high and low for every project or room…
- Tuesday Made
- Visual Comfort (see my Visual Comfort Dupes, here!)
- One Kings Lane
- Etsy
- Amazon (my top picks are linked)
- Rejuvenation
- Serena & Lily
- McGee & Co
- Alice Lane Home
- Stoffer Home
- CB2
- Wayfair
- Pottery Barn
- Jayson Home
- Lulu & Georgia
- Anthropologie
- Lamps Plus
Lighting FAQ
I definitely avoid the plastic ones, if I can help it. Check out this post for my designer tips for making outlets & light switch plates look better…
Not at all! I love recessed lighting when used sparingly, with proper placement, and always with dimmers. They’re often necessary and add functionality in spaces where more light is required- like a kitchen. I try to buy minimal looking ones and I always install other light fixtures that accompany them (sconces, a pendant, etc). Here is my guide to recessed lighting!
I like to add ceiling medallions in spaces that have a dramatic hanging light fixture of some sort- a pendant, a chandelier, and sometimes even a semi flush mount. They’re great for rooms that are more formal, like a dining room, a formal living space, a bedroom, etc. They’re also ideal for emphasizing a beautiful vignette… like a pendant or chandelier hanging above a soaking tub would totally warrant a ceiling medallion. The medallion should look cohesive with your millwork, and I have an installation tutorial for you here: how to install a ceiling medallion.
This is definitely something that makes a huge difference. I love installing lighting beneath kitchen cabinets, in a bar, or below a bathroom vanity. I shared more in this post, easy smart home kitchen cabinet light ideas (but it applies to bathroom vanities, as well).
Related
Looking for more lighting related posts? I’ve shared a LOT over the years. I’m going to link some of my favorites for you below…
- How to Choose the Best Picture Light for Your Artwork
- Choosing Timeless Exterior Lighting (A Designer Guide)
- Easy Smart Home Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Ideas
- Designer Lighting Picks for Less from Wayfair
- The Best Designer Approved Ceiling Fans & How to Choose One
- How to Deep Clean a Fabric Lampshade
- Hiding Cords for Wall Sconces & Picture Lights
- How to Choose a Clip On Sconce or Chandelier Shade
- Designer Light Fixtures That Will Never Go Out of Style
- 20 Classic & Affordable Light Fixtures from Amazon
Design is in the details and lighting is one of the most beautiful details of all. I’m pretty passionate about lighting, if you couldn’t tell. One of my dreams or goals is to design a lighting line someday. I would absolutely LOVE to do that, so if you know of anyone in the industry who is looking for a partner or collaboration, I’m your girl! Haha! But really, it would be a complete dream come true. Hold me to that, ok?! I’m all ears for your questions in the comment section below! I hope this post was helpful and informative.
Whoa, girl, thoughts on lighting? My main difficulty with lighting, honestly, is cost. I’ve been guilty of waiting until a room is mostly done to look for a ceiling fixture, only to find that my favorite examples double the cost of my room. No bueno. I’ll be smarter in the future; I promise! Another illumination issue I have is bulbs. So. Many. Choices. My brain sincerely locks up when I’m trying to decide. Too bright? Not bright enough? Too cool or warm. LED, halogen? Help. Also, dimmers freak me out; electrical current needs to be on or off. Hmmm, floor lamps. Important and versatile, but I find so many of the choices uninspired. Maybe I should search for some swanky vintage examples? Table lamps, on the other hand, are basically collectable in my book! Gimme all the shapes, colors, materials, sizes…shades! Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, truly my main problem with lighting is that I don’t make a plan. I get distracted by the pretty and forget about the practical. 💡 I guess I need professional help. Clearly, I came to the right place.💜
This was me last summer Peggi! Picture this: 16 light bulbs, all on dimmers, being replaced with LED by a husband who is used to working in a lab-No Bueno. I made him return every single bulb because the house looked like a hospital. I found some amazing info graphics online regarding LED bulbs and lumens- how to select the bulb depending on the application. HUGELY helpful! Now I have zero issue selecting the right one-and if I do, I pull up my info graphic. Btw-dimmers are an LED bulbs best friend! Unless the electrical itself isn’t installed properly, you shouldn’t ever have an issue. Almost all the lighting in our house is on dimmers, and trust me when I say, it’s totally necessary. But I completely understand the trepidation!😜
Lauren, I would love to see the “info graphics” you refer to! That’s my biggest issue is picking the right bulb and I stand there and get overwhelmed my the amount of choices.
Of course Barbara! I’m going to include some links for you! This first one has a lovely I for graphic of temperatures and where each temperature works best. Just scroll down until you see the graphic and screen shot it! https://www.takecontrolandsave.coop/welcome-to-our-blog/posts/2020/may/lighting-color-temperature/
This second link is a helpful graphic for watts to lumens conversion-I think most people don’t realize that the wattage of the bulb will be lower when switching over to LED, and that’s where the lighting can go really wrong, even if the color temperature is spot on. Another reason why dimmers are super LED friendly!
https://cleantechnica.com/2014/01/31/shrink-footprints-ultimate-guide-light-bulbs/
Again, scroll down to find the graphic to save! The articles in both links are super helpful as well, and worth the read. Have a lovely weekend Barbara!
Super helpful Lauren, Thank you! The charts are pinned and copied, no more confusion!
Cost is a big one for me, too. I feel like I have to save, save, save to make my lighting vision manifest. Easier said than done! I’m a fan of vintage fixtures… we’ve even rewired a few and it still cost less than the modern-day designer counterparts. You know I like mixing high & low :) Dimmers freak you out?! I’ve never thought about them in that way, but now I probably will. Haha! Lamps are definitely my favorite light fixture to collect and I currently have too many sitting in my prop closet unused. I’m a sucker for a pretty lamp, so I can relate. Lighting plans definitely help me stay on track, but sometimes it’s fun to buy what you love and make it work. I hope your Tuesday was a really good one! I’m off to make dinner and snuggle some dogs. xox
Oh boy, lighting… there’s so many choices! I get so overwhelmed when I start trying to figure out a lighting plan on this house reno of mine – first with trying to decide on what TYPE of lighting, and then there’s still all the pretty choices to go through. Of course, my husband’s choice would be can lights everywhere (and then he hates to turn them on because it’s too bright!). Anyways… all of that to say, this is a super helpful post that I can save and refer back to! I think your own line of lighting would be fabulous.
I do have one question, if I may pick your brain for a minute. In our kitchen/sunroom reno, we’re planning to vault the sunroom ceiling. it’s roughly a 12x12ft space with a big cased opening into our galley kitchen. I’m struggling to figure out lighting in there. What would you suggest for lighting in a room with lots of windows and a vaulted ceiling?
I second this motion on Melissa’s question! 🤣😂This definitely applies to our great room- 15’ ceilings and tons of windows!😥
SO many choices! It’s time consuming, but I love it. I could browse through fixtures all day long and be a happy lady. haha! You may absolutely pick my brain- I’m always happy to help or offer feedback. I love the idea of a few pendants in your sunroom- or a large chandelier to provide balance. It sounds like a gorgeous space, Melissa!
Ahhh lighting. It’s the biggest pain in the A other than electrical, haha! Like you, lighting is an area where I’m willing to splurge a bit. Jeff? Not so much. He wants the look of champagne on a Miller High Life budget…the two don’t mix. I’ve largely taken over the plans and direction for each room of the house, and carefully select items I know I can get away with budget-wise. Lighting is one that’s difficult because it does tend to have a higher price tag-even when you try to be budget conscious.
Our house is nothing but can lights- poorly installed ones might I add! In our living room they installed 7 smaller ones (on dimmers) but none of them are in a straight line with each other. Huge pet peeve! Needless to say, a plethora of can lights and a distinctive lack of (enough) outlets in each room, means eventually we will have to account for those fixes when we renovate. I’m not looking forward to it-I hate doing ceilings, but the end result will be far better than what’s here! The rest of the fixtures are boob lights and fans. 🤢 I have my work cut out for me! I’m interested in learning more about your process with lighting planning. When you’re making a design plan for the room, how do you narrow down the different lighting options, and select which types will go where? Do you account for floor lamps in your floor plans? All the details! Clearly we all struggle in the lighting department, haha!! I love the selections in your roundup by the way! Beautiful options in every type, and I’ve saved a few for when we’re at that point. My lighting win this week was selecting our bedside table lamps for our primary bedroom. Only one has been purchased so far, but it’s absolutely gorgeous, and accomplishes the look I want perfectly! I’m off to dream about what this house will look like when the mess of can lights isn’t glaring at me! Have a great Tuesday! Xo
Hahaha!! Lighting is my favorite ;) Jeff and Emmett are the same. He will never grasp the cost of lighting, and he’s a finance guy. I’m like- mister, you get what you pay for when it comes to light fixtures, haha! He also complains when I buy a cheap one and the installation process is hell. Ha! The good news about your can lights? Dimmers! That’s fantastic. One of my designer friends lives in a home with THE MOST can lights I’ve ever seen and she refers to her ceiling as swiss cheese. Makes me laugh every time because I know it drives her bonkers. We still have some boob lights left to replace in our house, too… don’t worry! We all have them. I usually make mooodboards, pick my top fixtures, then drop them into a floor plan to see the scale with the furniture, room size, etc. I can’t wait to see your bedside table lamps- that’s a major win. Great job on picking those out! Hope your Tuesday was a good one, Lauren! xo
Our bedroom has can lights, but it is also wired for a central fixture over the bed that’s currently covered with a plate. (It took us a while after we moved in to figure out what that phantom extra light switch “controlled”!) That room has 8-foot ceilings, and the light would be above the bed. We have a TV in that room to watch stuff in bed, so we don’t want a light going down too low that would block the view of the TV. Any thoughts on how tall of a semi-flush mount or chandelier we could get away with there?
I think this is one of those classic “lay in bed and see where your viewpoint falls” situations. Sometimes I’ll even use a ballon to mimic a pendant or a light fixture and tape it or hang it, shift it around, until I’m content with the positioning. When installing our TV in our bedroom, Emmett and I both did the “lay down test” to make sure we could both see. Sometimes it’s less about rules or measurements and more about what looks nice visually while functioning properly. A semi flush mount should work well in your bedroom- those usually don’t hang too low. I hope that’s helpful! I know it’s not a mathematic equation, but that’s how I do it here at home. Haha!
Do you have examples of how you floorpan lighting and what that looks like?
Often times, I’ll add another layer or overlay the light fixtures or lighting plan over my regular floor plan: https://roomfortuesday.com/how-to-create-a-floor-plan-in-adobe-illustrator/
Great post Sarah. I’m obsessed with lighting! It’s by far my absolute favourite thing to buy for the house. Etsy is also a great resource for fixtures that I don’t think you mentioned. I’ve found several unique and quite reasonably priced options there.
Thanks, Karen! I think lighting is my favorite thing to buy for our home, too. How could I forget Etsy?! Thank you so much for the amazing reminder. I’ve purchased many handmade and vintage fixtures from there and have been very happy with them. I’m so glad you brought that up :)
Lighting is such a broad topic! I always have trouble deciding shape, size, and color for shades. Any tips for buying the correct size and shape shade for table and floor lamps?
It really is, Sarah. I feel like maybe I should put together a shade buying guide- visuals might be an easier explanation, as often times I just go by balance, how it feels, what works well together… it’s all dependent on the lamp base you’re shopping for :)
Love the tip about the “hero” lighting and then all of the other lights should support it- I agree 110%!!
Yes, exactly! I feel like it’s easy to want lots of dramatic or over the top fixtures, but you really only need one. Too much a good thing isn’t always a good outcome. Haha! It also helps the budget to have “supporting fixtures” :)
I hope I didn’t miss the information, but what is your go to light bulb for both living spaces and kitchen, bath areas?
I found an article from 2017 when you partnered with GE, but nothing newer. It is most confusing when shopping for bulbs and I can never remember how many Lumens are optimal.
The GE article I wrote is still very relevant and we still use the same bulbs! I always prefer a warm bulb, so those can be found throughout our entire home. The kitchen bulbs are a bit brighter- but still not cool toned. Maybe it’s time for a new bulb post and I can break down my preferences?
Oh please! I’m sure your readers, and me, would find it very helpful!
I’m adding it to my calendar :)
We’re starting our bathroom renovation and I’m not sure how much lighting we need! We’ll have a chandelier over the bathtub (which is in the back corner), a separate light inside the shower and 2-3 sconces over the vanity (opposite the tub). The room is pretty big – 11×12 – so there’s 9-10′ between the chandelier and vanity sconces. Do we need cans too?
Hi Cici, congrats on your upcoming bathroom renovation! That’s exciting. It really depends on your space, the natural light, how the room functions, the floor plan, and what look you’re going for. Given the size of your space, additional cans (on dimmers) may make sense.
You never mention bathroom lighting. The one thing I need to know.
I have specific bathroom design and posts dedicated for the space, Phyllis! You can search by room in my navigation menu. I like to layer sconces, pendants, flush mounts, and recessed lights in a bath.