Three Most Common Questions About Lighting…Asked and Answered

Jun 5

Written By Michele

Picking the right lighting for a room can be challenging. It’s not as easy as just flipping a switch. For this blog, I researched the top five lighting questions that DIYers want to know and am sharing the advice I give to anyone who shares in my love for redesign and doing more for less.

Three Common Lighting Questions

1. What Type of Lighting Do I Need?

Lighting isn't one-size-fits-all. In fact, most rooms need a mix of lighting to meet the functional and design needs of the space. The three main types:

Ambient lighting: Your main source of light, typically big overhead lighting that carries the major workload for lighting your room.
Task lighting: Think desk lamps, reading lights, under-cabinet kitchen lights. Basically, anything that helps you take care of business, or pleasure, without eye strain.
Accent lighting: The diva of lighting, accent lights add drama and flair. They may highlight artwork, create intricate shadows or simple serve as a focal point providing the "wow" factor you swear you saw in a magazine.

Most rooms need a combo of at least two if not all three types. The trick is balancing them to create a natural not a forced feel.

2. How Bright Should My Lights Be?

Fun fact: brightness is measured in lumens, not watts, which measure energy. Here’s some basic formulas to help you determine how much is too little, too much, or just right:

Living Room: 1,500–3,000 lumens total
Kitchen: 5,000–10,000 lumens (chopping onions is serious business)
Bedroom: 2,000–4,000 lumens, dimming options are perfect to create cozy vibes

3. How Do I Pick the Right Fixture?

The lighting you choose should match your style and complement the room by being right-sized for the space. A petite pendant in a cathedral-ceiling room will get lost. A bold chandelier in a powder room? Overkill.

Finish and shape should echo the room's vibe. Brass is warm and classic. Matte black is modern and edgy. Chrome is sleek and cool. Lighting should make a statement, reflect your tastes, and bring you joy.

Quick rule: Add the length and width of your room (in feet). The total provides an estimate for the ideal diameter for a light fixture.

Lighting Planning Basics

Ready to update the lighting in your space? Download this free lighting tip sheet for quick look at light types, brightness tips, fixtures, and more.

Download the Lighting Tips

Ready to Light It Up?

The right lighting can be the unsung hero of your room design. If you’re feeling stuck or uninspired, let me know and I’ll do my best to light the way for you.

Now, what will you do next to love where you live?

Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed.

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Michele

As the daughter of a carpenter who designed and built furniture and a mother who rearranged our living room every few months as Dean Martin crooned through the stereo, my interest in home interiors is equal parts nature and nurture.

My goal is to help you understand how much your home’s visual environment can positively impact your life and how budget-friendly it can be to transform your home. My mission to help you love where you live®.