17 Aug 7 Home Lighting Ideas to Brighten Things Up

Easy Home Lighting Ideas

Whether you’re looking to stage your home to sell, or just want to freshen things up, new lighting fixtures can go a long way toward changing the ambiance of your home without breaking the bank. Here are just 7 of our favorite home lighting ideas for an affordable home makeover:

Make a Statement

Whether your home is new, old, modern or something in between, the right lighting fixture is sometimes all it takes to make a bold statement and brighten up a room. If you’re looking for a lighting fixture to make the room “pop,” consider something that contrasts the room’s color or style, such as vintage pendant lighting in a modern kitchen.

And speaking of pendant lighting, there’s no better way to complement your kitchen design than with a few well-placed, stylish pendant fixtures. Just remember: pendant lighting should typically sit 36 to 48 inches above the counter, and be positioned high enough, so no one’s bumping their head!

Stay on Track

Track lighting is a sure-fire way to bring focused directional light to any kitchen or living area, and there’s certainly no shortage of designs to consider. Install a simple dimmer switch and enjoy the room in a different light every time. Interior designers recommend choosing track lighting units in a finish that match other metals in the room, such as kitchen hardware.

Light it Up

Consider adding lights into the floor, or on bookshelves, so that the light is directed up, not down. Available in metal cans or small adjustable halogen fixtures, “uplights” add dramatic visual interest to a room. Consider using these visual effects to highlight wall hangings or other interesting features.

Keep it Hidden

Not every room needs the dramatic flair of a chandelier or striking accent lamp, however. For a clean, modern look, recessed canister lighting is a great option. Recessed lighting is also a great home lighting idea for rooms with lower ceilings; where larger fixtures can crowd the room and make your space look smaller than it actually is.

Go Green

LED and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) is increasingly becoming more and more popular. Given that these lights require less energy and last far longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, it’s no wonder this is one of our favorite home lighting ideas. LEDs and CFLs mean paying a little bit more upfront, but the long-term advantages make these lights well worth incorporating into your next project.

Stay Simple

Staying simple might seem too plain, but standalone lamps of all kinds can be used to brighten, soften, or accent, and contribute to the overall feel of a room. You don’t necessarily have to buy new lamps, either. Simply changing a lampshade is often enough to make a dramatic statement, with options ranging from high-end designer pieces to secondhand shades from local consignment stores. Experiment and have fun with it!

Go High, Go Low

Undercabinet lighting is very affordable, and an easy way to add character and light to any kitchen. And even something as simple as adding inexpensive rope lighting above cabinets can dramatically change the room’s tone.

Selling or buying a home in St. Louis? No one knows St. Louis real estate like the agents at Hermann London. Talk with us about whether or not a home warranty makes sense for you: find an agent.