How To Pick The Perfect Lighting
I know, perfect can sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Just use the guidelines & tips I’m about to share on how to pick the perfect lighting for your home and you can’t go wrong! Soon you’ll be basking in the golden glow of the perfect lighting!
Thing to consider when selecting lighting:
There are three general types of lighting: Primary, Task and Ambient.
- PRIMARY lighting traditionally bathes the entire room, from the ceiling down, in a flood of light.
- TASK lighting is direct, focused light on a specific area, and is good for things like for reading, cooking, crafting, etc…
- AMBIENT lighting tends to provide a soft glow, and a cozy feel. More common for mood & atmosphere.
TIP: The most effective way to light a room is to have a combination of all three.
Determining what you need your lighting to DO for you, will help you make your selection.
Lighting can be functional and useful, yet still be a beautiful decorative element to any room. In fact, lighting is like jewelry for your room. The sparkly bits that just complete the dressing of your space.
After asking myself what I needed my lighting to do for my room, I determined I wanted it to do two jobs, offering both Task & Ambient light. Primary lighting had already been addressed.
After you’ve decided what kind of lighting you need your fixtures to provide for you, next you’ll need to figure out how they need to do it!
Lamp Plus has an astonishing variety of high-end fixtures, for both indoor & outdoor use.
From table & floor lamps, ceiling lights, pendants, sconces and vanity lights, to fabulous chandeliers.
– Because my needs called for Table Lamps, I’m going to concentrate on those today.
For the guest bedroom I was shopping for, to get both task & ambient lighting, I decided on the Rolland Brass & Crystal table lamps. I found two perfect (there is that word again) table lamps from the vast selection online. Twins in fact.
ROLLAND BRASS & CRYSTAL Table Lamps
Next you’ll want to decide on a style: Luxe, Mid-Century Modern, Farmhouse, Industrial, Bohemian, Casual, Traditional, French-Country, Vintage, Cottage…
You’ll also want to consider finishes: perhaps brass, crystal, iron, gold or wood, to name a few.
I easily narrowed down my finish choices to brass and crystal. Opting to complement, rather than contrast. The finishes mirror those of the chandelier that was already present in the room, creating a calming, cohesive vibe.
Every light fixture in a room does not have to be from the same decorative suite of fixtures and perfectly match. They can simply compliment each other.
The new Rolland Brass & Crystal lamps do just that, they compliment the chandelier, without trying to complete with it. And they don’t have too, they are equally as lovely, with regal, beautiful lines.
Size Maters – So it’s a good idea to have a general size in mind when shopping.
Be aware of the height and shade width of the table lamps you are considering. The bottom of a lampshade shouldn’t fall higher than eye-level when you’re seated on a sofa or chair that’s placed next to the lamp. For side tables and night stands, use the following information as a guide.
- Your Lampshade Should Be No More 1/2 The Table Width.
- Your Lampshade Should Be At The Bottom Of Your Eye-Level When Seated.
- Approximately 30″ tall is a good general height.
TIP: Look for the “Product Details” section for important information like measurements, materials, wattage maximums & special features.
Don’t forget about the lampshade.
The majority of lampshades are still white, because they let the most light shine through to illuminate a room, while still eliminating glare.
But – both color and texture can be incredibly fun, and dramatic too! Black, colored, and heavily lined shades direct more light down, as less light escape through the actual shade, lending a dramatic, and often sophisticated element to any room, as the light bathes the surrounding area.
Note: I do follow my own advice and the night stand is temporary. It’s a tricky spot and we plan to build a custom table for this spot soon.
I’m so thrilled to have found these beautiful designer lamps for our guest room. They offer bright illumination when using both bulbs, as well as a softer, more ambient light with only one. One bulb provides a relaxed feel, yet it’s still bright enough for reading in bed.
I love the twin on/off pull switches and was drawn to this feature. My bedside lamps have this feature, and I knew it was one I wanted to offer my guests as well! When you are relaxed… and feel your eyes getting heavy, it’s a little luxury to be able to reach over, without fully sitting up, and simply tug on the switch and drift off to sleep.
You will find a multitude of beautiful, on trend, designer lighting options when visiting Lamps Plus. I think you’ll find the site very easy to navigate, with drilled down search options making it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Perhaps “perfect” is the word I should use? hahaha
I know when I was shopping for plug-in wall lighting, it was such a simple process to find what I needed. And I love that Lamps Plus offers Free Shipping & Free Returns! Just in case, gasp… it’s not perfect.
SOURCES:
- For non-lighting details about The Little Cottage Guest Bedroom [click here]
- To view our dining room and get details about Brass Wall Lights [click here]
Debbie says
Shannon
Your choices of lighting are so beautiful. My cave like living room is so dark and foreboding. I dream of the cloud like beauty of white. I always enjoy your posts! Psst! Send me some white paint. Lol Then I can tell the hubs it was a requirement for the gift!
HAHAHAHA
Connie L says
Thanks for the information on choosing lighting! Your guest room is as beautiful as the rest of your home. Love your taste in each room.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you so much Connie!
Now, to get my room looking like this 😉
Maybe in the Spring?