Ask Veronica: How do I design a lighting scheme that adds depth and warmth in an interior room?

When it comes to lighting, designers recommend some of the same style rules that work for fashion. Layering is essential for taking an outfit from morning to midnight, and the same can be said for lighting.

“Properly lighting a space typically involves layering lighting. By dimming or turning on and off different layers of light you can create different moods.” says Joni Spear, of Joni Spear Interior Design. “Each room in your home should have ample levels of luminosity based on the functions of the space.”

In most homes, those functions are in flux depending on the time of day. That means many rooms need a mix of ambient lighting to provide overall lighting, task lighting to provide light needed for specific functions, and accent lighting to draw attention to specific aspects of a space. The amount of lighting needed depends on the room’s purpose and size, says Carson Miller, lighting designer and general manager for Wilson Lighting.

“We always prefer to layer the light in any space using a combination of ambient, accent, and task lighting. A kitchen is a great example. You might use pendants over the island, LED tape both under and inside cabinets to create a nice warm environment for entertaining, but also include can lights for when a brighter light is needed while cooking.”

Can—or recessed—lights often get a bad rap because they can be unsightly and create glare. But recessed lighting has its place, says Spear.

“Can or recessed mounted fixtures are well suited for kitchens and bathrooms as an overall light source. In bathrooms, you will want the shower, tub, and toilet areas well lit. Recessed lights are great for these spaces,” says Spear, who suggests sconces around bathroom mirrors and even vent fans with built-in lights to add even more light when needed.

Recessed lights don’t need to look generic or industrial. They can be trimless and essentially disappear into the ceiling, or customized with trim that fits the room’s function and style. Miller, at Wilson Lighting, also likes using circadian rhythm can lights that change in color and brightness on their own throughout the day to mimic the sun. And adjustability is key, regardless of the room. “Lighting without dimmers is like a radio without volume control,” he says.

“Lighting has a very direct effect on how we feel. Brighter and whiter lighting makes us more active and alert. Softer, warmer light helps us to relax. In the morning, as we get ready in the bathroom, we need brighter light to help us wake up, see well as we shave or do makeup. At the end of the day, you might want to go take a soak in the tub with a glass of wine, your favorite music on, and warmer lighting to help you unwind and relax.”

Because the focus is on rest and recreation in bedrooms, family rooms, and living rooms, recessed lighting may not be necessary, says Spear. A centered, ceiling-mounted fixture supplemented with sconces and lamps for reading and other tasks typically works in these rooms. And, whether that ceiling-mounted fixture should be a chandelier depends on the specific space. 

“In a bedroom, living room, or bathroom you need enough clearance for people to walk under it. An easy practice is to hang it three inches for every foot of ceiling height,” she says. “When hanging a chandelier over a table or island, the ideal height is 30-36 inches above the table or counter.”

Lately, the designers at Wilson Lighting are opting for a more minimalist aesthetic to draw attention to the chandeliers and pendants they do use—like pieces of jewelry to set off an outfit. Opting for a cleaner overall design also makes it easy to highlight specific pieces of art or furniture with accent lighting. 

“I love when a customer comes in and knows exactly what they want to focus light on. We might use a wall-mounted art light, recessed can, or mud-in LED channels to make a piece of artwork pop,” says Miller. “For furniture, I’ve used very small 1″ and 2″ accent cans to create tight beams of light to make it stand out from the rest of the room.” 

To highlight artwork on flat walls, Spear favors a technique called wall washing to create consistent lighting for the entire length of the wall.

“Good wall washes should illuminate a wall from the ceiling to the floor with as much consistency as possible,” she says. “There are also various ‘picture lights’ available that can be wall mounted above a piece of art, some have convenient remote controls to operate.”

And, just like a great day-to-night outfit, a great lightning scheme should highlight a home’s best features in every setting.

Says Miller: “Lighting should assist in altering your mood, while also making the space beautiful and drawing attention to the things that matter to you.”