Having the right lighting can be a deal-breaker in design. When your home has bad lighting or is not providing you with enough light, the house looks dark and dated. In fact, lighting is the one thing that is easy to replace and helps make your home look newly renovated. Lighting is also a great way to express your personal style! Despite the curation of your decor, lighting is the focal point of a room. This makes having the right lighting fixtures in place to show off your home that much more important. Here are a few things you need to know about updating lighting fixtures throughout your home.

Types of Light Fixtures

Residential lighting is made up of different types of lights. These lights include chandeliers, pendants, flush-mounts, bathroom, recessed, and accent lighting. Together, lighting tells a cohesive story about your sense of style. If your lighting fixtures are drab and outdated, replacing them can have a great impact on the design of your home. Like a little sparkle, with a modern twist? Below are a few of our favorites from Modern Forms. Not into sparkle? No worries, it is easy to find beautiful light fixtures that fit every style.

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lights are typically singular lights that hang from ceilings over kitchen islands or peninsulas. They are a great choice for updating because of their location (they are typically the focal point in a room) and their accessibility. When updating pendant lighting, go for an odd amount of lights to add interest to your design. If you have pendant lights you like, but still want a little updated look, replace the shades and the bulbs. This will breathe new life into the design.

Trying to decide what to buy? You can take a quick look around the home at the current lighting fixtures to help decide what finishes will best fit the home. If you want to start over, here are some things to ask and consider:

• What finishes do you tend to gravitate toward?
• What finishes inspire you and fits your own personal style?
• Want to add texture and a modern twist to your home? Consider rattan pendants as they can add texture, while being modern, traditional, coastal, and bohemian in design.

Chandelier Lighting

You can find chandeliers in almost every home. The best place for chandelier light fixtures is in a foyer, over a dining room table, or as a centerpiece in the living room. Chandeliers in a bedroom are also a new trend as they provide a more romantic and intimate feel to the space.

Chandeliers are often the first to go during home renovations. Many older lights are covered in the bright brass of the ’80s, ornate crystals, or dark amber glass shades. Thankfully there are so many options for lighting out on the market so you can say goodbye to the dripping crystals and that tacky bright brass.

When designing a room, find a chandelier that speaks to you. Look for interesting chandeliers that really help accentuate the style and even add an architectural element to the home. From wood and natural elements to finishes in every color, these lights provide ambiance, style, and functionality to your home. Don’t be afraid to invest in them.

Bathroom Lighting

Do you want to take your bathroom from ‘builder special’ to truly special? Bathroom lighting is one of our favorite updates to make in a home. Bathroom fixtures can be a very quick fix (just a matter of minutes) when it comes to updating your home. When shopping for bathroom lights, look for lights that come in a few different types of fixtures. That way you can use coordinating styles of lights in one space.

Wall sconces are on trend right now in bathroom designs and offer more accent lighting to the space. If you want to really update the look of the bathroom, wall sconces are a great way to do this. Wall sconces can be positioned in a number of ways. With a single vanity, the lights would go on the opposite sides of the mirror. For a double vanity, use three sconces that would be placed on the outside of two mirrors with one in between. Sconces can also be placed above your mirror laterally.

Recessed Lighting

One of the things that can date a home fast, is the old ceiling mount fixtures we all dubbed the “boob” light. The more we work on lighting plans in homes, the more we are pulling out. Although there are many updated and beautiful styles of ceiling mount fixtures, we use them sparingly and only where we want to ‘punctuate’ the lighting in a space. More often, we opt for recessed lighting. It makes a big difference to walk into a well-lit room, without the clutter and noise of too many fixtures. In fact, if you have visited a model home recently, you will see that the majority of builders are opting for recessed lights. They give a clean, modern, and updated look to any home.

These lights were once known as canister, ‘cans’ or down-lights. Until recently, these lights required a great deal of work to put into the ceiling. The great news is that now there are many slim versions of these lights making them easy to install. You can add extra accent lighting in a room in no time. Recessed lights are often on a different switch than your chandelier lights or pendants so you can add more or less light with a flip of a switch. There are so many advantages to having recessed lights. Their strategic placement can provide accent lighting, light artwork, provide extra light over a kitchen sink, and other uses for task lighting.

What to Buy

Overall, when selecting new fixtures for your space, look for unique pieces that will invite your gaze across the room.  Many light fixtures fit into several interior design styles. Look for a piece that speaks to you and shows off an ample amount of grain and texture.  Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and go with something a little different. Think oversized or even with a touch of glamour to create a more luxurious feel. Your home does not have to be just one design style. The lighting you choose sets the tone and the décor defines the space.

We cannot forget to talk about the types of bulbs and switches that are being used. The use of dimmers is great for a bedroom because they control the intensity of light. Always avoid using fluorescent and bright white bulbs because they can be hard on the eyes and the room. Simple updates like changing to daylight bulbs will also help you bring brightness and comfort to your space. You can also add decorative lamps to shelves and light your artwork to bring in more accent lighting. 

Ready to Get Started

Expertly placed lighting fixtures add details to living spaces and bring your home to life. If you are not sure where to start with changing out your light fixtures or have little electrical experience, consult a professional like Gracious Home Interiors. We will find the best lighting solutions that fit your budget. Instantly, your home will be transformed by a sophisticated design that will highlight the architectural features throughout your home.

Want some lighting inspiration? Shop some of our favorite lights right from our blog!