Good lighting transforms a house into a home. Beyond basic illumination, proper lighting enhances mood, improves functionality, and highlights architectural features. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to create the perfect lighting plan for any room.

The Three Layers of Lighting

Professional designers use three layers of light working together:

Ambient (General) Lighting

The base layer that provides overall illumination. Sources include ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, and recessed lights. This is your room's primary light source.

Task Lighting

Focused light for specific activities like reading, cooking, or grooming. Sources include under-cabinet lights, desk lamps, and vanity lights. Task lighting should be bright and shadow-free.

Accent Lighting

Decorative lighting that highlights artwork, architectural features, or creates atmosphere. Sources include track lights, picture lights, and LED strips. Typically 3x brighter than ambient light for proper contrast.

Understanding Light Output

Lumens vs Watts

Forget watts—lumens measure actual light output. Here's the conversion from old incandescent standards:

Room-by-Room Lumen Guidelines

Color Temperature

Measured in Kelvin (K), color temperature affects mood and functionality:

• 2700K (Soft White): Warm, yellowish light. Relaxing for living rooms and bedrooms.
• 3000K (Warm White): Slightly cooler but still warm. Versatile for most rooms.
• 3500K (Neutral): Balance between warm and cool. Good for kitchens and workspaces.
• 4000K (Cool White): Crisp, energizing light. Ideal for offices and garages.
• 5000K+ (Daylight): Blue-white light. Best for task areas, workshops, and color-accurate work.

Room Recommendations

• Living room, bedroom: 2700K-3000K
• Kitchen, bathroom: 3000K-4000K
• Office, workspace: 4000K-5000K

Types of Light Fixtures

Chandeliers

Statement ceiling fixtures that provide ambient lighting and serve as focal points. Size guideline: add room length + width in feet, convert to inches for chandelier diameter. (12' x 14' room = 26-inch chandelier)

Pendant Lights

Hanging fixtures ideal over kitchen islands, dining tables, and entryways. Hang 30-36 inches above surfaces, 7 feet minimum clearance from floor.

Flush/Semi-Flush Mounts

Ceiling fixtures for rooms with low ceilings. Flush mounts attach directly; semi-flush hang 4-8 inches below. Common in bedrooms, hallways, and closets.

Recessed Lighting

Clean, modern look with lights installed in ceiling. Space 4-6 feet apart, 2-3 feet from walls. Require ceiling depth for housing cans. IC-rated required near insulation.

Track Lighting

Adjustable heads on a track for flexible accent lighting. Modern options include pendant and spotlight configurations. Great for highlighting art or architectural features.

Wall Sconces

Wall-mounted fixtures for ambient or accent lighting. Bathroom vanity sconces should mount at eye level (64-66 inches from floor). Hallway sconces typically 6 feet from floor.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Essential task lighting for kitchen counters. LED strips or puck lights work well. Hardwired preferred; plug-in options available for easy installation.

LED Technology

LEDs dominate modern lighting with significant advantages:

• Energy efficiency: Use 75% less energy than incandescent
• Lifespan: 25,000-50,000 hours vs 1,000 for incandescent
• Cool operation: Minimal heat output
• Instant on: Full brightness immediately
• Dimmable: Most LEDs compatible with dimmer switches (verify compatibility)

CRI (Color Rendering Index)

CRI measures how accurately colors appear under the light. Higher is better:

• 80+ CRI: Good for general use
• 90+ CRI: Excellent for kitchens, bathrooms, closets
• 95+ CRI: Premium for art studios, retail, makeup application

Smart Lighting

Connected lighting systems offer convenience and customization:

• Dimming: Adjust brightness from app or voice
• Scheduling: Automatic on/off times
• Scenes: Preset combinations for activities (dinner, movie, reading)
• Color tuning: Adjust color temperature throughout day
• Voice control: Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit

Room-Specific Guidance

Kitchen

Layer recessed ambient lighting, under-cabinet task lighting, and pendant accents over islands. Use 3000K-4000K color temperature for food preparation.

Bathroom

Vanity lighting should flank the mirror at eye level to eliminate shadows. Use high-CRI bulbs (90+) for accurate grooming. Recessed lighting over shower (wet-rated required).

Living Room

Combine chandelier or flush mount for ambient, table/floor lamps for task, and accent lighting for art. Use dimmers for flexibility. 2700K-3000K for relaxation.

Bedroom

Ceiling fixture for ambient, bedside lamps for reading, closet lighting for task. Consider smart bulbs that warm as bedtime approaches.

Related Resources

• Bathroom Fan Buying Guide – Many fans include integrated lighting
• Ceiling Fan Buying Guide – Fans with light kits
• Home Improvement Glossary
• FAQ – Shipping and returns