Glow up
It’s not revolutionary to talk about lighting being a foundational element of design. I’m quite sure you’ve also heard the familiar refrain, “lighting is the jewelry of a room.” Choosing the actual lamp is in fact a lot like getting dressed and throwing on earrings that support the outfit. However, beyond the charm of the lamp itself (round-up of some favorites below), the real magic of this whole table lamp situation is in the ability to influence the entire freaking vibe of a place. Just like most of design and decorating, it is helpful to know a few things about the tools you’re using to pull off the goals you have.
Tiny Heroes
I grew up in a home with a lamp in every corner and perched on every surface. There was a little tiny cherub with a handmade paper shade tucked into the corner of the kitchen on the counter, and another bitty one on a small shelf in a powder bath; seldom did you ever walk into a dark room of our house. While I may not have appreciated my parents “maximalist” approach to their decorating choices, my childhood home was cozy and welcoming. About two years ago, I found myself in a starting-over phase of life, making a home in a sweet but less-than-perfect rental house with my four kids. My very first instinct as we got our bearings was to fix the lighting situation. While there’s no catch-all cure for every design ill, intentional lighting really does come close to being a magic eraser, y’all. A slew of lamps later, my overheads are never on, and our spirits are bright.
Think outside the box
We all know the normal places that table lamps should go (dressers, side tables, night stands). Try adding a small lamp on a bookshelf or nestled into the corner of a kitchen counter. You’ll be surprised at how much that glow changes the character of a space. A powder bath counter can be another super sweet spot to brighten up if you can swing it. Think about throwing warmth and light to places that typically sit dark and cold.
Keeping your entryway always at the ready for the suggestion of a guest’s arrival is completely charming, even when you know the only folks who will be gracing your doorstep are from Amazon. Having your entryway softly lit is like a little bit like meeting a stranger’s gaze and offering a smile or dip of the head. You’ll appear friendly and approachable, even if you don’t intend to strike up a conversation.
@Leeannefordinteriors knows.
Kitchen counter lamps are our fave.
Interior Design: Noble Studio. Plan Design: Frazier Home Design. Photo: Abigail Jackson Photography.
Layers
The bad news is that your house probably needs at least three times as many lamps as you think it does. The good news is you’re going to love the way you feel in soft evening light. Please, for the love of all that is precious, don’t turn on your overhead lights unless there’s a really, really good reason for it (i.e. you’re performing a task that requires it). Instead, think in layers: a layer of broad ambient light from a few sources around eye level when you’re standing (floor lamps or tall lamps on tables) punctuated by smaller sources of light at lower levels (tiny lamps on shelves or tables or corners). Think about lighting the room up from a few directions.
Imagine an incredible restaurant: there’s a gentle hum of conversation and music and the staccato of laughter bubbling over from time to time across the room. The experience feels gentle and immersive - a candle on the table, amazing food, good company, etc. Now, imagine the same scenario, but they blow all the candles out and flip all the overhead lights on. The food will still be great, but the magic will be snuffed out with the candles, I promise you.
No matter what your resources are, your home can genuinely make you feel just as good as an experience like that restaurant I described; you just have to chase it. First step: the lighting has to be right. From there, layering in books, art, music, green things, and performing a healthy round of tidying & editing will get you a long way.
If you’re so inclined, this podcast episode is a great crash course in lighting. It reminded me of some of the things I was supposed to be learning in lighting class in college (I slept through a lot of that class, sadly). Get a little education on bulbs and then try a few out. If things don’t feel quite right, your bulb is likely to blame.