Oliwia Whyte 
One room may require different lighting solutions than the next, so it’s essential that when it comes to designing the interior lighting of your home, there are a few simple rules you follow in arranging its illumination.
One general guideline suggests that every room should feature ambient, task and accent lighting – this can be accomplished using ceiling lights, floor and table lamps, wall sconces or even natural sunlight coming through windows.
Living Room
Though furniture and a well-planned layout are essential components of a successful living room, lighting plays an integral part in making it complete and fulfilling its function.
Make a list of all of the activities that you and your family plan on engaging in while in this space, from watching movies to playing games. This will allow you to determine what types of lighting will best meet these needs – for instance task lighting for reading and accentuating artwork or alcoves.
To create a harmonious look, it is advisable to choose identical lighting on both sides of the room to achieve balance and symmetry. In addition, plan out where new sockets need to be added as this will save both you and your electrician valuable time by eliminating the need to chase away plaster in order to hide wires later.
Dining Room
No matter if it’s movie night with the kids or an intimate dinner party, your dining room requires an inviting lighting scheme. While a chandelier or cluster of pendant lights might serve as the main focus, they shouldn’t be the sole fixture in this space.
Ceiling lighting should consist of both recessed and pendant fixtures to achieve optimal illumination. Be sure to include a dimmer switch for your central light fixtures so the brightness can be easily altered depending on time or mood.
Your dining table size should dictate the shape and size of fixture you choose. A drum pendant which completely encloses light offers diffused illumination while a bell pendant directs lighting like a spotlight.
Kitchen
Kitchens are multipurpose spaces in any home and as such require an effective lighting plan that includes both task and ambient illumination for optimal working conditions without shadowing or glare.
Ambient lighting comes in all sorts of forms and styles, from recessed lights on dimmer switches to pendants or chandeliers. Even evenly spaced flush mount lights can provide ample ambient illumination in a galley kitchen.
Accent lighting can add drama and sophistication to decorative elements like an island facade or backsplash, and open shelving. Select from an assortment of hues that range from modern desert clay to sophisticated seafoam when selecting accent lighting options for your decor.
Bedroom
As the bedroom is the most private space of any home, special care must be taken to create an inviting and restful environment. Layering lighting fixtures is key in accomplishing this objective.
As mentioned above, installing a ceiling light directly above your bed can cause discomforting glare that interferes with sleep. Instead, consider fixtures like the Westinghouse 2-Light Ceiling Fixture which can be placed further from it to avoid discomforting glare.
Picture lights are another bedroom lighting idea often used to draw the eye towards favorite paintings or family portraits, as well as lighting small spaces. Warm white bulbs provide soft illumination; for added protection from blue light exposure there are amber and red bulbs that provide greater coverage without diminishing visibility.
Bathroom
Lighting is essential to creating the ideal bathroom experience, whether designing a powder room or full master bath. Given that electricity and water combine in these spaces, consulting a qualified electrician to ensure safety is taken seriously throughout your project is key.
For optimal lighting quality, seek recessed or flush-mount fixtures with shallow openings or small gaps to minimize electrical wiring needs. When selecting bulbs you will also want to consider color temperature and CRI (color rendering index).
So for instance, ambient lighting from sconces or overhead fixtures should ideally fall between 2,700-3,000 Kelvin for a warm yellow tone that feels welcoming and comforting. And for task lighting purposes, brighter lights that more closely approximate blue-sky daylight and have an ideal CRI of 80 or higher are recommended.
