Fixtures are often the first thing that come to mind when envisioning the lighting in your new build, but a thoughtful lighting plan goes deeper than picking lamps and bulbs. In fact, lighting plays an important role in setting the overall tone of your home. When lighting is too bright, spaces feel harsh and uncomfortable. Dimly lit rooms are no better, often appearing small and uninviting.
Striking that perfect balance of illumination from natural and artificial light is known as layered lighting, an interior design concept that relies on multiple light sources to foster warmth, add visual interest, and make spaces functional for everyday living. As Kyndra Flowers of Robinson Lighting says, “When in doubt, layer your lighting.”
As you start planning your new build, use this as your guide to design an effective, thoughtful lighting plan that makes every space in your home glow.
There are four main types of lighting in home design, each of which interacts with natural light differently and serves a specific purpose ineffectively illuminating a space.
Ambient: Ambient lighting is the main source of light throughout your home, offering the illumination necessary to make a space safe and comfortable for movement. During the day, natural light may provide all or some of the ambient lighting in your home, but after the sun goes down, ambient light is best achieved using recessed lighting and ceiling fixtures.
Task: Task lighting refers to the concentrated light used for specific tasks, such as reading, cooking, or working. This type of light typically requires an artificial source, such as a desk lamp or under-cabinet lights, since natural light can create shadows or glare.
Accent: If you’re trying to highlight focal points like artwork, plants, or unique architectural features, you’ll want to use artificial accent lighting. Natural light can wash out decorative elements, but by using spotlights, track lights, or wall washers, you can better control the direction of the light, beam spread, temperature, and brightness.
Decorative: Often described as the jewelry of the home, decorative lighting—such as chandeliers, ornate sconces, and pendants—showcases your personality and introduces drama to a space
Effective illumination relies on layering multiple types of light in every room of your home. “I recommend a tailored approach to each room:bright for kitchens, soft for bathrooms, cozy for bedrooms, and welcoming for entries,” says Michelle Miller of Southern Lights. Let’s break it down room by room.
Kitchens: Start with recessed fixtures for ambient light, placing them about 6 inches away from the edge of your countertop to allow a pool of light to flood your prep space without creating shadows. Under-cabinet lighting helps to illuminate tasks like chopping, measuring, and reading recipes, while decorative pendants above the island create a focal point. For extra ambience and drama, consider adding in-cabinet accent lighting to highlight decorative dinnerware, and over-cabinet or toe-kick lighting for a soft glow.
Bathrooms: A flush mount fixture or recessed lights can provide overall ambient illumination, but for more targeted lighting needed for applying makeup or shaving, supplement with sconces or vanity lights above the mirror. “White or opal glass is best, as it will provide even, glare-free lighting,” Flowers explains. Additionally, small shelf lamps are a nice touch for relaxing baths.
Living Rooms: Whether you outfit your living room with recessed lights, statement-making fixtures like chandeliers, or a combination of both, opt for dimmers that allow you to adjust brightness. “Tunable lighting is ideal for living spaces, especially those we utilize in the evening,” says Flowers.“Having the ability to reduce the color temperature in the evening prepares us for bed and improves our sleep.” Floor and table lamps should also be incorporated next to seating for warmth and to illuminate tasks like reading.For added visual interest, consider introducing accent lights above pictures and decor.
Bedrooms: Cool, blue-tone light is known to disrupt sleep, so warm, soft lighting—ideally dimmable—is especially important for a bedroom’s overhead ambient illumination. Add bedside lamps or sconces to create a cozy atmosphere, as well as lamps on dressers and soft closet lights to ease the transitions at the beginning and end of the day. For added convenience, install switches for all bedroom lighting sources on each side of the bed.
As you consider the lighting plan for your new build, take these expert tips into consideration
Think about window placement. Your home’s window placement, direction, and glazing—the number of glass panes your windows have—play a significant role in the overall lighting plan. South- and west-facing windows benefit from window treatments to control how much light and heat comes in, while the cooler natural light coming from north- and east-facing windows should be balanced by warmer color temperatures inside. For homes with smaller windows or windows on one wall, add more artificial light in the far corners of the room to even out light levels.
Stick to the ideal temperature range. For residential properties, this range falls between 2700K and 3000K. Miller’s recommendation? “Have every fixture possible on a dimmer to easily adjust the light intensity.”
Consider smart lighting and sensors. Put your home’s illumination on autopilot with smart lighting and sensors that automatically adjust light levels based on occupancy and available daylight. Not only does this boost energy savings; it also promotes wellness by mimicking natural light to regulate circadian rhythms, says Dan Juedes of Southern Lights.
Minimize glare. Recessed fixtures are a significant source of glare, so “look for options with an open/unlensed aperture,” Flowers says.“Lenses capture light, which creates glare, so avoid them whenever possible.” Opting for frosted glass or frosted bulbs, as opposed to clear bulbs, can also help mitigate glare.
Know where to splurge and where to save. Recessed lighting is often your primary source of illumination, so don’t skimp on those fixtures. You should also “splurge on a stunning chandelier or two,” Flowers adds. “Select something you love for your foyer or dining room. This is a piece you will see every day, so you want it to bring you joy.” When it comes time to save, consider using disc lights in closets, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and hallways.
