Modern living room with a navy blue armchair, abstract artwork, gold accents, and a light gray rug.

As much an art form as a necessity, the right lighting can completely alter the atmosphere and functionality of a space. Along with making rooms feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting, the proper lighting solutions can enhance their functionality and overall comfort. Of course, there's more that goes into choosing the best lighting solutions for each room than placing a few nice lamps on your side tables. The lighting of each room should be chosen with intention, taking into consideration the style and purpose of the room that it will be used in. Whether you're designing a room from scratch or redecorating an area of your home, the Star Furniture design team is here to help you blend lighting like a pro. Check out these simple tips to transform any room in your home with the right lighting selections. 

Understanding the Basics of Lighting Design

Lighting solutions come in an array of styles and can offer many different features to accommodate the needs of their spaces. Before bringing home any lighting solution it's important to understand the types of lighting available as well as some of the basic lighting principles. This can help you make the most of the appearance, atmosphere, and function of every area of your home.

Types of Lighting

There are three primary types of lighting that are used in home decorating: ambient, task, and accent. Because each type of lighting serves a different purpose, ambient, task, and accent lights can be used together within the same space. This technique is called "layering" and can help your home feel as warm, balanced, and put together as those that are styled by professional interior designers.   

Ambient Lighting - Floor + Overhead Lamps

Ambient lighting is sometimes referred to as general or overhead lighting. These are the fixtures that are used to illuminate an entire room at one time. Examples of ambient lighting include floor lamps, pendant lights and chandeliers.

Task Lighting - Table + Desk Lamps

Task lighting, on the other hand, is more localized than general lighting. As its name implies, task lighting is used in a particular area to make specific activities easy, safe, and comfortable. Task lights are often used for reading, working, and cooking. Examples of task lights include a table lamp on your bedside table for reading or a desk lamp in your office for illuminating your workspace.

Accent Lighting - Sconces + Spotlights

While task lights are more functional in nature, accent lights are purely aesthetic. Accent lighting is often used to highlight certain features of a room, such as wall art, or draw attention to a focal point in a space. 

Lighting Principles

Not every light bulb will have the same lighting effect. While some are bright and vibrant, others are soft and warm. Recognizing the different brightness and color temperature options can help you choose the right bulbs to meet your home's unique needs. Bright light bulbs tend to be most appropriate for rooms where being able to see clearly is important, such as your home office, kitchen, and laundry room. Keeping the color temperature in mind (whether your light bulbs are warm or bright) can help you set the ideal mood in every room. After all, you want your home to be functional without feeling stark and cold. 

The Kelvins of a light bulb will tell you how warm or cool it is. A higher Kelvin rating will give you a brighter light while a lower Kelvin rating will produce a warmer light. The Kelvin rating system includes:

  • <2000K-2600K (Warm White): This is the most common rating for homes, giving spaces a warm, welcoming ambiance. 
  • 2700K-3000K (Soft White): This rating provides white light with a soft yellow undertone that can help make dining rooms and living rooms feel inviting yet lively.
  • 3100K-4000K (Bright White): This rating tends to be too bright for the everyday living space, however, it's ideal for garages and other work areas.

Choosing the Right Lamp

The lamps you bring into your home should be carefully selected to complement the surrounding decor and the particular function of the space that they're in. Even if you plan to use your lamps to make a statement within a room, it's important to choose ones that blend well to ensure the room flows as it should. Likewise, the lamps you use should be of the appropriate scale in regard to the room and other furnishings within. Lamps that are too small will get lost while lamps that are too large can make the space feel off. 

The Artistic Side of Lamps

While lamps are useful for helping illuminate your home to make it inviting and functional, they can also enhance the visual appeal of your living spaces. With this in mind, don't be afraid to utilize your light fixtures as focal points within a space. This won't always be an option depending on how the room is decorated, but when it's possible, it can create a unique, artistic result. For instance, in a space that's predominantly dressed in neutral colors and subtle textures, adding a lamp that features a bold color or eye-catching texture can make the entire room come to life. 

Similarly, lamps can help complement minimalist style when they're adorned in the same neutral color scheme as other pieces within the space. It's also worth considering which materials would be best to help influence the aesthetic of the space. Ceramic lamps can provide an earthy vibe that would work well in a modern or rustic home while metal could offer a more chic, contemporary appearance. For a timeless, versatile look, you can't go wrong with a glass table lamp or two.

Strategic Placement of Lamps

Where you position the light fixtures in your home is just as important as the types of lamps and light bulbs you choose. When it comes to lamp placement, there are several factors that are worth considering. First and foremost, are there any dark areas within the space that could benefit from a pop of brightness? This would be an obvious spot to position a floor lamp. Perhaps, there's a particular activity that would require the help of a task lamp, such as an office desk or reading chair. It's safe to see that the side tables in your living room and bedroom would also look better with a table lamp atop each one. Lamps can also be paired together to create a beautiful focal point in rooms with accent tables, such as entryways and dining rooms. The trick is to display lamps in ways that balance visual appeal and functionality so that your home is as comfortable and attractive as possible.

Think Outside the Box

You can expect to find lamps in certain areas of a home, such as next to the bed or sofa. When lamps are placed in unexpected locations, however, they can make different areas of your home feel especially cozy and inviting. Here are some places that you might not have considered adding a lamp but will love the result when you do:

  • Position a petite table lamp on a shelf above your washer and dryer to make your laundry room feel more homey and inviting. 
  • Add a lamp to your countertop to provide warm lighting when the bright overhead lights aren't being used.
  • Keep your hallway well-lit by placing a lamp or two on a simple accent table.
  • Bring a colorful lamp into your bathroom to add a pop of color and personality that your family and friends are sure to love.
  • Add a cozy touch to your patio or porch by placing a table lamp on a side table by your outdoor sectional sofa. 

Practical Tips and Tricks

Like so many modern home decor features, incorporating technology into your lighting solutions is a great way to make your living spaces even more comfortable and convenient. Decorating with lamps that include smart features, such as dimming capabilities, timers, and controls that can be adjusted on your device can help ensure that the lighting in every room of your home is always customized to your liking. Likewise, adjustable lamps make having the ideal amount of light for reading, studying, or crafting a breeze. If you have young children or pets in the home, be sure to position lamps in places where they won't be pulled down or knocked over. 

Star’s pro tip: to keep your lamps looking fabulous, be sure to dust them regularly using a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using strong cleaners that could damage the finish of your lamp base; glass fixtures should be hand-washed with warm water and a gentle detergent.

Getting Creative with Lamps

If your living space calls for more than one table lamp, you might think that they have to match perfectly to look great. This isn't always the case. Mixing and matching lamp styles can help create visual appeal and add character to your space. Just remember that while your lamps don't have to match, they should both fit within the same home decor style and not compete with one another. Choose lamps that complement the overall aesthetic of your room, whether it's modern, rustic, or eclectic. Consider factors like color, material, and scale to ensure cohesion. This approach allows for creativity and personalization, making your living space uniquely yours while maintaining a harmonious look.

Get Inspired on Lighting Design

At Star Furniture, we're proud to offer an array of quality light fixtures that can elevate the style and functionality of every area of your home. No matter what your home decor style or budget may be, we have the perfect lamps to help you achieve the look you have in mind. To get your design juices flowing, check out these lamps that our design team loves and you will too:

  • Minimalist Magic: Maintain the simple, clean aesthetic you love while adding a sophisticated touch with our eye-catching Aurella Arch Floor Lamp. Its three mesh lamp shades will add plenty of light to your bedroom or living room while its sleek design will ensure that it won't overwhelm or clutter the space.
  • Cozy Corner: You'll love curling up in your favorite chair with a good book and our Malta Table Lamp by your side. Its ceramic base and linen lamp shade feature subtle textures and soft neutral colors that make it an accessory that can easily be paired with a variety of other furnishings. 
  • Bold and Bright: If you're looking to add a touch of softness and color to your home, you can't go wrong with the Gigi Table Lamp. Its light green finish and white linen drum shade are as contemporary as they are tasteful, adding vibrancy and personality to virtually any room.
  • Handsome Office: If your home office space could use an upgrade, our Leif Task Lamp can give it an instant facelift. Antique brass and brown marble features combine the best of mid-century and industrial styles that are sure to make your workspace look its very best.

Transform the Look of Your Space with Lighting Solutions from Star Furniture

It's time to rethink how you brighten the living spaces of your home. Lamps don't have to merely be light sources that are used to illuminate different rooms. When properly chosen, lamps can act as pieces of art that can significantly enhance the ambiance and aesthetic appeal of their interiors. If you're ready to transform every area of your home with table and floor lamps that are curated to meet your particular style and functional needs, the trusted design experts at Star Furniture are here to help guide you every step of the way. Visit our showroom or website to find more interior design inspiration and browse our wide selection of quality table and floor lamps.