10 Good Practices for Layering Light
Unite table lamps, floor lamps and overhead fixtures to achieve the lighting you need and the mood you want
Melisa LaBancz-Bleasdale
28 August 2017
Award-winning interior designer, Houzz contributing writer, technologist and proud mother of an amazing daughter. A 25-year career in security technology led to frequent travel that further inspired and solidified a deep love of design and things with soul. My goal is to create calm, beautiful and safe environments that allow people to take a break from every day stress and focus on their happiness.
Award-winning interior designer, Houzz contributing writer, technologist and proud... More
Let’s put it on the table straight away: I do not like torchiere-style lamps. I may even be permanently traumatised by the 1980s salmon-coloured pair I encountered in a client’s living room a couple years back. Some people like them, which is great; I honestly love that there are so many styles of lighting for people to choose from in this world. After all, a lamp is a functional accessory, unlike a glimmering hunk of amethyst that sits there looking amazing while the husband asks why we need such a thing. But I digress.
Lamp style is definitely important, but so is lamp quantity. The way you light a room will completely change the space, and having multiple lighting sources allows you to control ambience, mood and how you use the room. Putting those light sources on a dimmer makes it incredibly easy to change up the brightness as often as you want. I’m fairly certain dimmers are a gift from the decorating gods.
Here’s how to get your own layers of lighting right.
Lamp style is definitely important, but so is lamp quantity. The way you light a room will completely change the space, and having multiple lighting sources allows you to control ambience, mood and how you use the room. Putting those light sources on a dimmer makes it incredibly easy to change up the brightness as often as you want. I’m fairly certain dimmers are a gift from the decorating gods.
Here’s how to get your own layers of lighting right.
1. Use a mix of floor and table lighting
Depending on the size of a space, I nearly always recommend both floor and table lighting. I love the mix of lighting in this room. Each piece is interesting in its own right and adds to the overall design. Lamps are an opportunity to add something extra to a space – whether it’s shine, colour, art or abstraction.
Depending on the size of a space, I nearly always recommend both floor and table lighting. I love the mix of lighting in this room. Each piece is interesting in its own right and adds to the overall design. Lamps are an opportunity to add something extra to a space – whether it’s shine, colour, art or abstraction.
2. Get the scale right
Overhead lighting adds a fantastic touch if it’s done right. Consider its size and purpose when going for an overhead fixture in a living space. This openwork geometric fixture looks gorgeous against the paper-white ceiling and walls. It adds a distinct focal point without being the sole lighting source. The floor lamp next to the sofa acts as a warm complement and keeps the lighting levels soft. It’s more a catch-up-on-secrets space to me.
Overhead lighting adds a fantastic touch if it’s done right. Consider its size and purpose when going for an overhead fixture in a living space. This openwork geometric fixture looks gorgeous against the paper-white ceiling and walls. It adds a distinct focal point without being the sole lighting source. The floor lamp next to the sofa acts as a warm complement and keeps the lighting levels soft. It’s more a catch-up-on-secrets space to me.
3. Use down lights sparingly
I don’t really consider down lights overhead fixtures. I see them as ambient lighting that should be employed sparingly and purposefully. When using down lights, people have a tendency to go a bit nuts. From a design perspective, down lighting should never be your sole source of light. I’ve been in one too many homes that look like a landing strip or gaming arcade because they’ve had the entire ceiling done in down lights. It becomes a missed design opportunity.
Check out this gorgeous room. Why can’t more rooms be like this? The designer did it exactly right by using just a sprinkling of down lights to accent a beam while employing matching tripod-style floor lamps to illuminate the space in a very stylish way.
18 ways to set the mood with lighting
I don’t really consider down lights overhead fixtures. I see them as ambient lighting that should be employed sparingly and purposefully. When using down lights, people have a tendency to go a bit nuts. From a design perspective, down lighting should never be your sole source of light. I’ve been in one too many homes that look like a landing strip or gaming arcade because they’ve had the entire ceiling done in down lights. It becomes a missed design opportunity.
Check out this gorgeous room. Why can’t more rooms be like this? The designer did it exactly right by using just a sprinkling of down lights to accent a beam while employing matching tripod-style floor lamps to illuminate the space in a very stylish way.
18 ways to set the mood with lighting
4. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colours
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to lamps and lighting. There are suggestions, but in the end, it all comes down to what works best for your lifestyle and your own personal tastes.
Rooms feel more layered and interesting with a few mismatched items. The tall floor lamp in a different colour than the bright blue bedside lamps really works here. Not only is the floor lamp tied to the overall colour scheme through the colours in the pillows, but it also has a distinct purpose in lighting the seating area, making it the perfect place for settling down to read a magazine without any other lights on. The bedside lamps light both sides of the bed.
With all the lights on, the room is likely brighter but not overwhelmingly bright, and lighted in a controlled way. I love mismatching that works this well.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to lamps and lighting. There are suggestions, but in the end, it all comes down to what works best for your lifestyle and your own personal tastes.
Rooms feel more layered and interesting with a few mismatched items. The tall floor lamp in a different colour than the bright blue bedside lamps really works here. Not only is the floor lamp tied to the overall colour scheme through the colours in the pillows, but it also has a distinct purpose in lighting the seating area, making it the perfect place for settling down to read a magazine without any other lights on. The bedside lamps light both sides of the bed.
With all the lights on, the room is likely brighter but not overwhelmingly bright, and lighted in a controlled way. I love mismatching that works this well.
5. Know the right way to choose a table lamp
I don’t hold to many established design rules, but I do believe that you should not be able to see the neck of the light bulb, or the lightbulb socket, from a standing or seated position. If you do, the lamp is probably too tall. The glare of a bare bulb isn’t pleasant for anyone.
I think tall table lamps give a room a bit of elegance. If you see a large lamp base that you absolutely love, then I say buy it! Get a shade that will allow for the bulb to be covered, and you’re good to go.
Shop for lamps
I don’t hold to many established design rules, but I do believe that you should not be able to see the neck of the light bulb, or the lightbulb socket, from a standing or seated position. If you do, the lamp is probably too tall. The glare of a bare bulb isn’t pleasant for anyone.
I think tall table lamps give a room a bit of elegance. If you see a large lamp base that you absolutely love, then I say buy it! Get a shade that will allow for the bulb to be covered, and you’re good to go.
Shop for lamps
6. Let your lamps make a statement
The table lamp in this space is much smaller than the one in the previous photo, but it has just as much presence as a larger lamp, because of its unexpected black shade and shiny copper base. It’s a sexy little piece that makes a big statement.
The table lamp in this space is much smaller than the one in the previous photo, but it has just as much presence as a larger lamp, because of its unexpected black shade and shiny copper base. It’s a sexy little piece that makes a big statement.
7. Mix bases, match shade
This room is a great example of mismatching lamps: The crisp white drum shades connect the floor and table lamps, though both are very different.
The almost Roman styling of the floor lamp and the crystal-ball base of the table lamp both work wonderfully against the dove-grey walls, and both serve different purposes. A floor lamp generally lights a larger area than a table lamp, but neither light a whole room.
Together they make for a warmer lighting scheme that is bright enough but not overbearing.
This room is a great example of mismatching lamps: The crisp white drum shades connect the floor and table lamps, though both are very different.
The almost Roman styling of the floor lamp and the crystal-ball base of the table lamp both work wonderfully against the dove-grey walls, and both serve different purposes. A floor lamp generally lights a larger area than a table lamp, but neither light a whole room.
Together they make for a warmer lighting scheme that is bright enough but not overbearing.
8. Try mixing lighting styles, too
In this stunning home, the mismatched table lamp, floor lamp and overhead lighting work together seamlessly. Many people are convinced they have to follow a formulaic approach to design to achieve the sort of luxury this room exudes. Clearly, that’s not true. When you look at the room as a whole, everything clicks. Everything is in its right place, but nothing is matchy-matchy.
Looking at the lighting individually, you may be surprised that a Spanish castle-style overhead was paired with a very traditional floor lamp. When choosing any element for your space, look at the room as a whole. It’s way too easy to get stuck on whether or not a throw pillow goes with a bookcase accent. Never is a whole-room approach more important than with lighting choices.
Take into account the ways in which you want to light your space, not whether or not the lamps match, then purchase accordingly.
In this stunning home, the mismatched table lamp, floor lamp and overhead lighting work together seamlessly. Many people are convinced they have to follow a formulaic approach to design to achieve the sort of luxury this room exudes. Clearly, that’s not true. When you look at the room as a whole, everything clicks. Everything is in its right place, but nothing is matchy-matchy.
Looking at the lighting individually, you may be surprised that a Spanish castle-style overhead was paired with a very traditional floor lamp. When choosing any element for your space, look at the room as a whole. It’s way too easy to get stuck on whether or not a throw pillow goes with a bookcase accent. Never is a whole-room approach more important than with lighting choices.
Take into account the ways in which you want to light your space, not whether or not the lamps match, then purchase accordingly.
9. Consider what kind of light you want
I am a dedicated fan of arcing floor lamps. They are dramatic and beautiful, they offer surprisingly warm and diffused light, and they add an immediate touch of modern. They are best positioned in a corner, so that no one exiting or entering the seating arrangement bumps his or her head.
As I sit here typing, I have three of my living room lamps on: my pharmacy-style reading lamp over my left shoulder, my antique industrial lamp with a modern burlap shade to my right and my midcentury chrome reading lamp in the corner. It makes the room brightest when I’m working. Generally I have only the antique light on when I’m watching television and the pharmacy lamp on for reading.
I am a dedicated fan of arcing floor lamps. They are dramatic and beautiful, they offer surprisingly warm and diffused light, and they add an immediate touch of modern. They are best positioned in a corner, so that no one exiting or entering the seating arrangement bumps his or her head.
As I sit here typing, I have three of my living room lamps on: my pharmacy-style reading lamp over my left shoulder, my antique industrial lamp with a modern burlap shade to my right and my midcentury chrome reading lamp in the corner. It makes the room brightest when I’m working. Generally I have only the antique light on when I’m watching television and the pharmacy lamp on for reading.
10. Learn all about lamps
Consider scale
A giant floor lamp over a small occasional chair wouldn’t work well. However, a larger midcentury ceramic lamp base with a modern drum shade would be awesome next to a big love seat or a sectional. The same goes for tiny table lamps. If your seating is large, look for medium to large lamp bases.
Realise that lampshade fabrics are crucial
I often replace the shades lamps come with in favour of ones that look more custom. If you like a more diffused-looking light, go for linen or burlap; if you want brighter light, stick with crisp white. For more ambience, any fabric-covered shade will do, but keep in mind the cleaning needs of fabrics such as pleated silk and cotton. They are difficult to dust.
Pay attention to shade styles
If you have a modern or transitional home, I would go for drum shades. Romantic or traditional homes would be best fitted with tulip or fluted-style lampshades. An eclectic home can employ a variety of styles as long as they fit the design story of the space. If the room is fun and edgy, for example, a large fluted shade may look too formal and out of place.
Place the lamp properly
Details matter! If your only electrical outlet is across the room from where the chair is, don’t string the lamp cord across the rug and in plain view. Not only is it dangerous to have long strands of cord lying around, but it looks unfinished, not to mention unsightly. Either invest in having another outlet put where the seating will be or swag a lamp from the ceiling out into the room to give better illumination.
TELL US
How do you pick your lamps and pendants? Is there a light you covet? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
8 Illuminating Things to Know About New Lighting Tech
Consider scale
A giant floor lamp over a small occasional chair wouldn’t work well. However, a larger midcentury ceramic lamp base with a modern drum shade would be awesome next to a big love seat or a sectional. The same goes for tiny table lamps. If your seating is large, look for medium to large lamp bases.
Realise that lampshade fabrics are crucial
I often replace the shades lamps come with in favour of ones that look more custom. If you like a more diffused-looking light, go for linen or burlap; if you want brighter light, stick with crisp white. For more ambience, any fabric-covered shade will do, but keep in mind the cleaning needs of fabrics such as pleated silk and cotton. They are difficult to dust.
Pay attention to shade styles
If you have a modern or transitional home, I would go for drum shades. Romantic or traditional homes would be best fitted with tulip or fluted-style lampshades. An eclectic home can employ a variety of styles as long as they fit the design story of the space. If the room is fun and edgy, for example, a large fluted shade may look too formal and out of place.
Place the lamp properly
Details matter! If your only electrical outlet is across the room from where the chair is, don’t string the lamp cord across the rug and in plain view. Not only is it dangerous to have long strands of cord lying around, but it looks unfinished, not to mention unsightly. Either invest in having another outlet put where the seating will be or swag a lamp from the ceiling out into the room to give better illumination.
TELL US
How do you pick your lamps and pendants? Is there a light you covet? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
8 Illuminating Things to Know About New Lighting Tech
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I think tip 3 was the most important- use downlights sparingly (if at all). They look awful cheap and thoughtless, they are a fire hazard, they decrease efficiency of insulation as holes must be cleared around them. Awful invention
Thank you Houzz! We are thrilled to be featured in this article. This Visual Comfort pendant over our custom seated banquette is truly the star of the show, but not overpowering. We love drama with lighting and hope you all enjoy as well.
My house is not full of sunlight.How can I enhance the light?please reply.