Account 
Lighting is a critical component of any well-designed interior. Not only does it improve the functionality of a space by providing essential illumination, but it also determines a room’s aesthetic. Lighting directly impacts the look and feel of a room, which is especially important at this unique point in time when people are at home than ever before.
Whether you need lighting for a complete home renovation or you’re simply looking to enhance a room with wall lighting fixtures, ceiling lighting fixtures, decorative floor lamps, or another type of interior lighting, there are many different styles to choose from. This guide includes everything you need to know to select the perfect interior lighting for your home in 2021. Read on for more!
1. Know Your Interior Lighting Needs
The very first consideration for any home interior design project is functionality. If a light fixture, piece of furniture, or other design element doesn’t serve how you want to live in your home, then it falls short.
“How will I use the room?” is an overarching question to ask yourself when it comes to lighting. Related considerations include the tasks and activities you’ll conduct in the space, who will be using it, the amount of natural light it gets, and your preferred level of illumination.
The better you know your needs before shopping for interior lighting, the better you’ll be able to identify the ideal lighting types.
2. Know Your Interior Lighting Wants
Lighting is, at its core, functional. Adequate illumination makes rooms safer and more usable. However, lighting has the potential to be much more than that. Besides considering the function your lighting will serve you, you should also think about what you want from your interior lighting. This comprises everything from how a particular fixture will look in a space to how the light it provides will make the room’s inhabitants feel.
The great news is that today’s lighting manufacturers offer a breadth and depth of lighting types. As a result, you’re sure to find everything from hanging wall lanterns to table lamps in a design style that complements your unique taste.
3. Have a Interior Lighting Design Idea/Plan
It’s easy to consider lighting to be an afterthought. After all, with built-in overhead lights in most homes, introducing more may not seem like a priority. However, there’s a science and an art to mindful interior lighting design. “The mistake people sometimes make is that they expect one light, or a few lights, to do all the work in a room. I think that those end up being harsh rooms to be in,” designer Michelle Steinback told Curbed.
According to basic interior design theory, the best-lit rooms incorporate three basic types of lighting: ambient or general, task, and accent. Creating layered light through a combination of these three lighting types can support the most comfortable and versatile spaces. This means that, in addition to overhead lighting, there’s value in adding a balanced mix of table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces.
Steinback also raves about the practicality of dimmers – especially in an era in which multifunctionality of interior spaces is a priority for many homeowners. Along with “free agents” like table lamps and floor lamps, dimmers allow you to adjust a room’s lighting depending on its needs at any particular moment.
This is also the time to consider the scale of your space. Typically, larger light fixtures are suitable for bigger rooms, so they don’t feel lost in the space or overwhelm a small area. Accordingly, small light fixtures tend to be appropriate for smaller spaces. Hanging lights, sconces, and other wall lights for the interior also make sense in smaller rooms, as they don’t utilize surface area the same way a floor or table lamp would.
4. Factor in Wattage
Not all bulbs are created equal. If you’re going for a moody, atmospheric effect, use low wattage bulbs throughout your home. However, bulbs with higher wattage are more practical in certain spaces. For example, while bright lighting makes sense in rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways, less light – or variable light – makes more sense in spaces that play host to many different types of activities, such as bedrooms and dining rooms.
One rule of thumb recommended by HuffPost? Multiply the square footage of a room by 1.5 to determine the total amount of wattage that will adequately light a space. In the case of task lighting, increase this multiplier to 2.5. Just be sure to check the fixture to determine the maximum wattage.
5. Embrace Online Shopping
While the days of in-store shopping without worrying about masks and social distancing are hopefully on the horizon, online shopping remains a preferred method for many consumers in 2021. In addition to being safer, online shopping is also incredibly convenient.
That being said, seeing a light fixture for yourself can also be helpful when assembling a lighting plan. As such, lighting stores that offer both online and in-person shopping can be especially desirable at this time.
Enter Fashion Light Center, one of the premier light stores in CT. In addition to showcasing a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor lighting at our Greenwich, CT showroom, we also offer easy, efficient, and COVID-friendly online shopping. Furthermore, the Fashion Light Center website is packed with useful information, such as our interior lighting guide and Northeast Lantern Lighting Buyers Guide.
Whether you have a specific need in mind or you’re looking for interior lighting ideas and inspiration, the Fashion Light Center team is ready to help you with your questions or concerns. Contact us today for a consultation on your interior lighting project and shop our light store online!
