5 Common Lighting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Leave dark kitchen counters and poor vanity lighting behind by avoiding these lighting no-nos
Good lighting can help us look better, feel better and even live better at home. Therefore, common lighting mistakes, if left unchecked, may end up stealing comfort and joy from your home. Here are five typical lighting crimes that can occur throughout a house and helpful tips to make them disappear. We’ve illustrated the points with photos of rooms that do it right.
2. Bathroom Vanity Insanity
It is not hard to get good light at a bathroom vanity — just think about backstage makeup mirrors that position lights at face level. When placing lights at a vanity, it’s best to avoid harsh light from above that will create deep shadows under your eyes and chin.
This stylish master bathroom by TMS Architects includes a double vanity with a trio of shaded wall sconces that provide a soft glow at just the right height.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
It is not hard to get good light at a bathroom vanity — just think about backstage makeup mirrors that position lights at face level. When placing lights at a vanity, it’s best to avoid harsh light from above that will create deep shadows under your eyes and chin.
This stylish master bathroom by TMS Architects includes a double vanity with a trio of shaded wall sconces that provide a soft glow at just the right height.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
3. Four Cans and a Fan
Many bedrooms have a lighting layout that features a ceiling fan in the center of the room and a recessed can light in each corner. This common geometric layout, seen in the illustration above, often results in light shining where it’s not needed and leaving more frequented areas of the bedroom in the dark.
Many bedrooms have a lighting layout that features a ceiling fan in the center of the room and a recessed can light in each corner. This common geometric layout, seen in the illustration above, often results in light shining where it’s not needed and leaving more frequented areas of the bedroom in the dark.
Instead of overhead lighting that pushes light to the perimeter of a bedroom, integrate layers of light in areas that make the most sense. Here, a master bedroom by Harwick Homes features a ceiling fan in the center of the room, but instead of recessed lights in each corner, a pair of recessed lights are strategically positioned above the seating area. Pendant lights on both sides of the bed provide functional light for reading at night.
Shop for pendant lights
Shop for pendant lights
4. No Light or Too Bright
Our eyes adjust all day long and our lighting should too. There’s no reason for our lighting choices to be only “on” or “off.” Add dimmers and controls to get the most out of your lighting and set the right mood for the right time.
This rustic living room by Zoske Construction provides a great example of the value of dimmers. The space was photographed at dusk — a time of day that’s often too dark for no lights at all and not dark enough for lights to be turned all the way up.
Our eyes adjust all day long and our lighting should too. There’s no reason for our lighting choices to be only “on” or “off.” Add dimmers and controls to get the most out of your lighting and set the right mood for the right time.
This rustic living room by Zoske Construction provides a great example of the value of dimmers. The space was photographed at dusk — a time of day that’s often too dark for no lights at all and not dark enough for lights to be turned all the way up.
5. Drywall Doldrums
Drywall is often the least expensive surface in a room, but it is often where light hits the most. Instead, position lights to selectively illuminate other details such as molding, arches and shelves that will draw your attention to something of interest.
Drywall is often the least expensive surface in a room, but it is often where light hits the most. Instead, position lights to selectively illuminate other details such as molding, arches and shelves that will draw your attention to something of interest.
Place lights carefully to illuminate surfaces with more interest than drywall, like the beautiful stone walls in this contemporary living room. The most effective way to highlight the texture of natural stone or brick is to graze the wall with light. Grazing refers to a light placed directly above the face of the stone or brick that then grazes, or glances, down the wall.
More on Houzz
6 Ways to Light Up Stone and Brick Indoors and Out
3 Reasons to Love Recessed Lights and 3 Things to Watch Out For
Find a lighting designer near you
Browse dimmer switches
More on Houzz
6 Ways to Light Up Stone and Brick Indoors and Out
3 Reasons to Love Recessed Lights and 3 Things to Watch Out For
Find a lighting designer near you
Browse dimmer switches
The counters in this kitchen designed by Rittenhouse Builders are well-lit by pendant lights and undercabinet lights, but many kitchens suffer from having more light shining down on the floor than on countertops where it’s needed most.
Adding well-positioned recessed lights, pendant lights above islands and undercabinet lighting are among the ways to ensure your kitchen work areas have enough light.
How to Properly Light Your Kitchen Counters