Successful lighting does not begin and end with one overhead light or just table lamps.  To create a room that uses lighting in a way that enhances your space, you must learn that layering is key.

• Use a variety of fixtures all intended for different purposes.  Make sure each and every room has ambient, task, and accent lighting.  With the exception of extremely small spaces, such as a powder room, almost every room requires various lighting depending on the time of day and activity.

• Vary the heights of lighting throughout the room.  Use floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, sconces, table lamps, accent lamps.  Place lighting on the side table, on the mantle, on shelves.  The more places that light is radiating from, the more interesting your room will appear.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Create shadows and drama.  Spotlight conversation areas while leaving others in the dark.  Use lighting to create mystery and romance in your room.

• Illuminate bookcases, cabinetry, and molding with accent lighting.  Use a ceiling fixture to provide a more overall  lighting so that these areas can serve as an interesting side note that adds dimension and beauty to the room.

• Use recessed lights in addition to a chandelier.  The chandelier will cast a soft glow while the recessed lights provide a functional lighting of the entire space.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Stick to 60 watt bulbs in your table lamps and floor lamps.  Anything higher is too bright and not flattering.  These light bulbs will create  a warm glow that makes your space inviting and cozy.

• In your entry way, use a gorgeous pair of sconces but complement them with table lamps on a console.  The lamps will bring the light lower into the room to avoid casting a dark shadow on everything below the sconces.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• Sconces are also functional in the dining room where they can light the areas of the room that are missed by the central light of a chandelier.

Lighting is an inexpensive way to completely makeover a room.  By adding layers of different kinds of lighting and various fixtures, you can create depth and interest in a room.

When considering new window treatments in your home, there are 3 key areas that you need to look at: privacy, light control, and style.

1. Privacy can be essential for those of us that live in close proximity to other homes.  You will want your bedrooms and bathrooms completely blocked off from your neighbors and those passing by.  If you live on a busy street, you’ll also want privacy in  your lower level rooms that are on the front of the house.  This can be accomplished by layering roller shades or wood blinds behind your drapery, or by installing drapery panels designed to close.

2. Because fabric fades with light exposure, light control is best achieved with non-fabric window coverings.  Wood or metal blinds can be tilted to block out light, and natural fiber shades, such as bamboo, will create a pretty, filtered light look.  If you are set on blocking light without using blinds or shades, then you can use a blackout lining in your drapery or have your windows tinted to block out UV rays.

3. The most fun part of choosing a window treatment is figuring out the style that you would like to use.   Below are examples of some of the many options out there:

Natural, woven shades with drapery panels create an elegant look.

Roman Shades pop in a fun fabric that coordinates with the monochromatic green palette of the room.

Bright, contrasting ties on a simple shade create a lively look for a child’s bedroom.

Wooden blinds are functional for light control and privacy in a window filled family room.

Find yourself running out of room on your end tables for table lamps?  Free up some space by mounting lamps on the wall or ceiling!  Great for small spaces where every inch of space matters, and less cords for toddlers (or pets) to get in the way!

Photo: Martha Stewart

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The sconce below is the perfect solution for the small reading nook

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Hanging pendants emphasize the tall ceilings in these spaces.

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Photo: Elle Decor

These wall mounts are a great idea so guests can control lighting on each side

Photo: Cottage Living

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Lanterns are a classic way to light up any space that never goes out of style!

Photo: Traditional Home

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Photo: Country Home

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Photo: Traditional Home

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Photo: Veranda

The chandelier is a great place to make a unique impression.  Choose something one  of a kind and fabulous.  It will serve as a conversation starter for new dinner guests and a beautiful work of art for you to admire every day.

Photos: Traditional Home

Lighting the dining room can be a tricky task.  Often people put up a chandelier and assume their lighting work is done.  While a chandelier is a beautiful feature of most dining rooms, more is necessary to create the ambiance that one would want at the dinner table.   Follow these tips to create the perfect lighting combination for your dining room.

1.Hang the chandelier so that the bottom hits approximately 30 inches above your table.  Too low and it will interrupt conversation among your guests.  Too high and no one will appreciate it.  Install a dimmer if possible.  The light from a chandelier can mimic candlelight when dimmed.

2. Install sconces.  The light is subtle yet will keep the entire room well lit.  You want to avoid a table that is lit when the rest of the room is dark.  Sconces will stop this look from happening.

Photo: House Beautiful

3. Candlestick lamps on a sideboard also help light flow throughout the room while keeping the space from appearing too bright.  Hurricanes with tall candlesticks also can create this look.

4. Hang mirrors strategically in the room to keep the low light bouncing around the space.

5. Lastly, Never underestimate the effect of candles on the table.

Photo: House Beautiful

Choosing a lamp for your living room can be tough.  It’s easy to go too big or too small, too much light or not enough.  These tips will help you make the right decision and end up with a lamp that is both attractive and functional.

Photo: House Beautiful

1. There should be a lamp every 10 feet to provide adequate light for the room.   Wherever someone will be reading or making conversation, place a lamp of 60 watts.  In areas where people will gather, opt for glass or crystal bases.  They will make the area seem open and inviting.

2. Choose lamps with heavy bases.  Living rooms are high traffic areas and there are many opportunities for lamps to be knocked off tables by mingling guests, rowdy children, pets, etc.  Lamps of substantial weight are less likely to be knocked over.

3. Living Room lamps should be 24 – 36 inches high, however make sure that you can not see up into the lamp when seated next to it.  Looking at hardware is not appealing!  Also, make sure the proportion of the lamp does not overwhelm or become dwarfed by the surface on which it sits.

4. A fabric shade will cast the warmest light and will be the most flattering to those in the room.

5. The living room is somewhere you can use unique, statement lamps.  Feel free to be bold and pick an interesting vase, an unexpected color, a one of a kind shape.

Following these tips will help you choose a lamp that will add both light and aesthetics to your living room.

While one interesting lamp can make a statement, two lamps placed symmetrically can have a dramatic aesthetic affect. It’s a great look that draws attention to a beautiful console table or perks up a plain one. Below are some pictures of fabulous pairs of table lamps.

Photo: Ciao Interiors

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This article on Flattering Lighting has great tips on how to make sure the lighting sets the intended mood and creates ambiance.

This mirrored lamp will reflect light around the room at eye level.

Some of the tips include:

1. Avoid harsh shadows and use soft light whenever possible  Harsh lighting and areas of high contrast are not friendly to faces.

2. Use the lowest wattage bulb possible, ideally with a blush tint.  The pale pink color is flattering for all skin tones.

3. Avoid bright white shades. Opt for opaque shades that will cast a softer glow or dark shades that will filter and cut down light.

4. Aim for several points of light around the room at eye level.  Above or below will create awkward and unflattering shadows.

Candlelight is the most flattering; this lamp creates the illusion of candlelight.

Though it is one of the most essential parts of a room, lighting can be one of the trickiest.  It is all to easy to pick a light too bright, too dark, too focused, or too general.  To make the decision easier, you must consider the different types of light.

The three types of lighting that are used in the home are task, ambient, and accent.

Task lighting lights the way while you cook, read, sew, etc. This can be a desk lamp, a bedside sconce for reading, or a pendant light hanging over a kitchen worksurface.

Photo: Cottage Living

Ambient lighting is the general lighting cast over a room from an overhead light or chandlier.  You will find ambient lighting in every room of the house, from a closet to the dining room.

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: Sunset Magazine

Accent lighting is the pretty light that sets the mood in a room. It adds drama and glitter, though is not necessarily meant to serve a utilitarian purpose.

One, two, or all three types of light can be utilized in one room, however it is necessary to figure out which ones you absolutely need in your room so that it will be adequately lit.