Kitchen Lighting

7 Stunning Kitchens that Will Inspire You to Install Pendants Immediately

by admin · Sep 27, 2024

Pendants lights – not only do they make a great focal point, they also provide the perfect amount of light when the late-night ice cream cravings hit. From moody modern to rustic charm, pendant lights effortlessly fit into just about any interior style, making them a favorite choice for homeowners and designers alike. With a little inspiration, your kitchen can find its perfect pendant match to infuse your kitchen with both charm and functionality!

Clean Lines

This kitchen should be on the cover of a magazine! We love how these tapered black pendants draw your eye upward and make the ceilings feel even taller! They’re perfect for a kitchen with a modern vibe, but they are so versatile that they’ll pair well with any style.

Rustic Charm

These cage pendants bring a little modern charm to a kitchen with a rustic flair. The black contrasts with the white and wood kitchen accents, and ties together the cabinet hardware, chair legs, and window casings. They give the whole kitchen a cozy atmosphere that lends itself to even the most important conversations! Obsessed is an understatement.

Matching Marble

Contrast is important in interior design – but it’s not the end-all be-all for lighting choices. Instead of matching your fixture finishes with t he cabinet hardware or appliances to make them pop, consider looking into pendants that match your countertops or cabinet color! Choosing pieces you love lets your personality shine through the design and it obviously pays off.

Industrial Modern

This kitchen has stunning industrial elements we can get behind – exposed brick, iron window casings, and sleek cabinet fronts to name a few! The warm tones turn a colder industrial style into a comfortable space where you’ll want to spend your time. But the pièce de résistance of the entire space is this gorgeous asymmetric pendant cluster hung over the island. This modern fixture ties everything together for a cohesive look that we couldn’t love more!

Monochromatic Breakfast Bar

Monochromatic can be a tricky look to pull off, but when it works, it works. Using all green for the cabinets and walls makes the wood and yellow accents pop! The green dome-shaped pendants hung above this bar blend in with the walls to highlight the most-used area in any kitchen – the countertop! The accessories on this counter give the otherwise monotone space plenty of personality with practical pieces in fun pops of color. You could easily whip up some toast and hot chocolate without even opening a drawer!

Dainty Glass

Glass shades are always going add a touch of elegance to a space, but these ones really pull out all the stops. They’re the perfect size to give you enough light to chat with your loved ones while you’re baking your famous cookie recipe or setting out a snack bar for the big game. The gold accents on these pendants pair beautifully with the faucet, and the result is a kitchen we are dying to steal.

Timeless Beauty

Updating your kitchen can be a massive undertaking – you shouldn’t have to do it every 5 years. Instead, pick classic pieces like these matte black pendants that will match your style for years to come. A pendant with a classic shape in a neutral finish will adapt to whatever fashion throws your way – and it’ll look gorgeous doing it.

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No matter the style, pendants are a staple in kitchens for a reason! Pendants provide much-needed extra light in important countertop work spaces… and they totally transform the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen! No matter what direction you choose, your new kitchen pendants are sure to make a statement.

For your next kitchen lighting project, don’t get caught catching buyers remorse – check in with a local lighting expert that can help you find exactly what you need. When you’re ready to get started, give us a call and our experts will help you narrow down your options and give you tips on your next stunning kitchen lighting project.

Kitchen Lighting Design: How to Get it Right

by admin · Dec 22, 2023

Kitchens are the heart of the home, and you need that heart to be well-lit. A poorly lit kitchen is a bad design at best and a safety hazard at worst. You handle knives and hot pans in the kitchen – that’s not something you should be doing in the dark!

Creating a quality kitchen lighting layout requires strategic layering of different types of light. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may find that you need upwards of twenty different bulbs or fixtures – that takes planning!

Luckily, there is a simple way to categorize the types of light you’ll need in your kitchen: ambient, task, and accent. Once you have a basic understanding of these three lighting classes, you’ll be able to light a beautiful and versatile kitchen that fulfills all your needs.

Category One: Ambient Lighting

What is ambient lighting?

An essential lighting element in any room is ambient (also called general) lighting. Ambient lighting comes from a central overhead fixture that casts a uniform glow across the room.

Ambient lighting in your kitchen

In most kitchens, ambient light typically comes from either a single, large, central fixture or an array of recessed can lights. If your kitchen overall just feels too dim, these are the first places to check.

-If you have plenty of fixtures but it still feels too dim, you might not need to jump to replacing your fixtures right away! Before you bust out the toolbox, try replacing your light bulbs with brighter LED options. They give off more light and use less energy – it’s a win-win!

-If you want a new fixture, swapping out an existing central light fixture for one that is more modern or has more bulbs is usually a reasonably beginner-friendly DIY project. You can do the same with older recessed lights, swapping them out for a newer model with little fuss.

-If you want to replace a central light with an array of recessed lights, you’ll most likely want to hire a contractor or electrician.

Category Two: Task Lighting

What is task lighting?

Task lighting is essential in kitchens – cooking is detailed work! That’s one of the reasons why pendant lights are standard over kitchen islands. Task lights in the kitchen enable additional focus for the home chef to carefully slice and dice. With bright, focused light, they can also turn countertops into a great craft/homework station.

Task lighting in your kitchen

Pendant lights are the most common task lights in kitchens, usually hung over an island or bar. You’ll also see recessed lights used as task lighting, strategically centered over a workspace to give extra light where you need it. Both of these options are usually best left to an electrician unless you have experience running electrical wiring.

-The number of pendants you use will depend on your island’s length, the pendants’ size, and the material of the shades. (Design experts recommend working in threes, so if you’re trying to decide between 2, 3, or 4, three is often the most aesthetically pleasing.)

-Some pendants have several shade options; others only come in one style. A pendant’s shade will significantly affect how it lights your space. Glass shades will allow the light to flow from all directions, and opaque shades will concentrate the light to shine down rather than spill out the sides. When in doubt, make a trip to our showroom and check out the pendants on display – you’ll be able to see how they light a space before they’re installed in your home.

-If you have tall family members whose sightline a pendant may interrupt, or if you just aren’t fond of pendants, consider having a few recessed lights strategically placed over your work areas instead.

Category Three: Accent Lighting

What is accent lighting?

Accent lighting is a powerful design tool that makes a kitchen look bigger by highlighting areas often hidden from ambient and task lighting. It only takes a small amount of light reflecting off the wall and the cabinetry to create the illusion of more space. Accent lighting can also be used to highlight special features in a kitchen.

Accent lighting in your kitchen

In kitchens, accent lights are often tucked under wall cabinets, on top of wall cabinets, inside glass-fronted cabinets, and/or along the bottom of base cabinets.

-To make your ceilings look higher, we recommend placing puck lights on the tops of your cabinets. These small battery-powered LEDs are inexpensive and don’t need fancy installments. Simply turn them on, nestle them on top, and let them draw the eyes of your guests to the height of the room.

-To brighten countertops underneath cupboards, we recommend getting puck lights or LED strips lights to run along the underside of your wall cabinets. Many are battery-powered, so you won’t need to hire an electrician. Some are remote-controlled or smart-home enabled so that you can turn them on from across the room!

-To highlight a collection or a set of dishware you love, try running LED strip lights along the inner edges of a glass-fronted cabinet. They’re very easy to install (many are peel-and-stick), and they’ll give your kitchen a high-end luxury look!

-To light kitchen walkways, use the same LED strip technique along the underside of your base cabinets. While this may seem like an unexpected option – it’s a great addition to your kitchen for late-night snackers and movie nights!

Round Out Your Kitchen with the Experts at Pine Grove Lighting

A well-lit kitchen will have layers of light comprised of ambient, task, and accent lighting options, and they all work together to make your space feel comfortable and functional. If you’re renovating your kitchen, make sure you include a plan for lighting so that you’re not left in the dark when it’s finished.

The principles of well-rounded kitchen lighting are simple, but the possibilities are endless! You don’t have to do it on your own – the expert help and great selections available to you at our lighting showroom can be an invaluable resource to help you get the job done. Contact Pine Grove Lighting today for customized advice, installation support, and great fixtures at great prices!

Gorgeous Nature-Inspired Rooms You’ll Want to Escape To Immediately

by admin · Mar 11, 2023

When you’re designing your house, finding inspiration is key. Taking a step outside can give you a fresh perspective – there’s no better inspiration than mother nature herself! No matter what space you’re working on, drawing from the beauty of nature will make your home feel like paradise.

The combination of earth tones and natural materials in these rooms almost makes them feel more like they should be in National Geographic than a home decor magazine – and we mean that in the very best way possible.

Bathrooms

Picture yourself after a long day of work. You’re exhausted, and what you need more than anything is a moment to yourself. You finally get some uninterrupted time to sit in the warmth of the tub and it feels good. The anxiety melts away. Your bathroom can be a natural refuge from your stress. When you put a little effort into your bathroom, it’ll pay off!

The owner of this room has a green thumb that brings the whole room to life. To complement the plants, they chose a macrame chandelier that’s uniquely fitted for this bathroom. Warm wood and wicker also feel right at home in this organic space. The black furniture and tub ground the look, bringing an effortless cohesiveness. You’d have a hard time feeling anything but relaxed here.

This light and airy space incorporates natural materials like wicker and terracotta pots. The foolproof combination of warm wood tones, green plants, and neutral, natural colors will always leave you feeling like you’re stepping into an oasis! This room is definitely a no-interruption zone.

If it was possible (or ethical) to steal a bathtub, we’d be walking out of this bathroom hauling this one! The wood exterior is a nature enthusiast’s dream base for relaxation. The twinkling lights behind it are also a charming touch to give the bath a glow.

Living Rooms

The living room is the main hub of the house. It’s where work, relax, and entertain guests – you live here. Whether you choose a paired back approach or go full maximalist and pull out all the stops, make sure to include some natural materials to ground yourself and make the living room feel more like home.

Neutrals are the star of the show in this living room. We love the texture the pendant light brings and how it coordinates with the mirror frame and the accessories in the room. The color palette may be limited, but each piece works together to create a neutral haven where texture is the star of the show.

This nature-inspired design would work well in a space of any size. When you’re strapped for square footage, picking a smaller couch that will still accommodate your needs is a smart choice. A pendant light also shows creativity since it won’t take up any extra floor space. It’ll give you the ambiance for an intimate conversation or some light for reading. The texture of the wicker and wood here is also stunning. Adding burnt orange brings a tiny pop of color to make you feel extra happy!

This colorful living room is oozing with style! Who said organic design has to be boring? We can’t help but feel insanely jealous of whoever owns this room. Everything here – the colors, textiles, plants, and warm wood furniture – is to die for. Don’t be afraid to go bold and bright if it makes you happy. This is a living room anyone would be lucky to come home to!

This living space uses nearly all natural materials and earth tones in its design to make a cozy conversation space. From the wood ceilings to the stone accents, the textures here are immaculate. Everything feels warm and welcoming. A wood ceiling fan matches all the decor and will give this homeowner an extra breeze on a hot summer day.

Bedrooms

The bedroom is the best place to be a little braver with your decor. It’s the place you should feel the most comfortable being yourself. Pick bolder earth tones and bring in all the natural materials to create a place that will allow you to be the best version of yourself!

This cozy room pulls out all the stops. The way the headboard coordinates with the gorgeous pendant lights has our jaws on the floor! They give the room a natural glow and highlight that warm orange wall. To some a deep, rich color like this can be intimidating, but this bedroom is the perfect example of what can happen when the risk pays off.

Going dark on the paint can be risky, but using light, warm colors to contrast it is a clever way to combat any heaviness and create balance. The pendant above the bed is a gorgeous focal point that ties in with the wicker and wood. A fixture like this gives off soothing, soft lighting that helps to prepare yourself for a good night’s rest.

If light and airy is more your speed, use this room as inspiration. Natural textiles bring layers of texture and interest to this bedroom that make it feel cozy and inviting. The rugs and layered blankets make this space feel lived-in without feeling cluttered. Sheer curtains allow for lots of diffused natural light for a dreamy daytime vibe, and will reflect just the right amount of light at night to create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

Kitchens

No matter your kitchen’s current style, a few extra touches from nature can make it a gathering space where you’ll love to spend time preparing and sharing food with your loved ones.

In a small space like this, details matter. The warmth in the butcher block counters and floating shelves stands out against the stark white of cabinets, creating a sense of balance without filling the space up with accessories. When space is small, a single bold choice is a great way to give it some personality – these mismatched pendants do just that! And of course, no nature-inspired space is complete without a little green. In a space full of hard lines, this pothos softens the edges just a little – and it’s perfect for the out-of-the way nook in kitchen since it won’t require much light.

Going with darker textured cabinets was a bold move here. They almost look like they were carved straight from a mountain! In another space, they might look more industrial, but with the wicker pendant and basket, the white tiled backsplash, and the plants for accessories, it gives modern organic. The sharpness of the hard edges and metallic textures is softened by the natural textures and shapes throughout the space, like the draped pendant lighting – a smart choice that balances the design and makes it easier to see what you’re doing while you prep dinner.

This kitchen is a marriage of light and airy and organic design. The green styled cabinets are perfect for storing the most beautiful cookware and dishes. Adding fresh flowers makes a kitchen feel fresh and beautiful. However, the icing on this wedding cake is the lighting! Those cute white pendants and this kitchen are a match made in heaven. They fit the space perfectly and will give you some much-needed task lighting.

Nooks

Almost everyone has that spare corner in their home that they just can’t quite figure out what to do with. Adding a seating nook for reading or working one of our favorite tips to make a space feel cozy and welcoming.

This little nook looks like Shangri-la in the middle of a house! Get cozy with a book and a blanket or just take a little rest here for some mid-day rejuvenation. Everything about this leans into the wildness of the natural world. Even the lighting is freeform and organic, these hanging pendants make this space feel like magic and will give you light to read no matter the time of day.

This boho-coastal nook is just what the doctor ordered for some me-time. We love a good hammock – and this one is just begging to be relaxed in. The driftwood frame with the macrame hammock turns this space from an empty white corner into a light and airy refuge. The beaded chandelier is an unexpected twist that ties perfectly with the accessories, making this nook feel like it’s just a few steps away from the beach.

We can tell every element in this picture was chosen intentionally because it works together so well. From the wood and wicker furniture to a neutral color palette with a grounding green on the wall, you can’t get more organic than this! The dome desk lamp in white is a smart choice for task lighting – its small footprint doesn’t eat up work space, and the height and color make it pop against the dark wall behind it. This work nook may be small in size, but not in style.

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Using an earthy color palette and natural materials in your design is nothing short of gorgeous when it’s done well. We love this trend and want to help you create it in your home. Come visit Pine Grove Lighting and show us what inspires you. We’ll help you the find the perfect lighting solutions to create your own natural sanctuary.

Kitchen Light Fixtures 101

by admin · Feb 23, 2023

Whether you’re building or renovating, understanding your lighting options and making smart choices will completely transform the way your kitchen looks and feels.

Keep in mind – your kitchen will look best with multiple types of lighting! One light overhead just won’t do the room justice – and it probably won’t give off enough light to cook safely. Your best bet is to go with a mix of ambient (overhead, general lighting) and task (specific to place or purpose) lighting to make your kitchen both beautiful and functional.

Here’s a quick guide to the different types of light fixtures you’ll find in kitchens.

Pendants

Pendant lights hang down from the ceiling, and typically only have one bulb. They’re most often used over countertops like a kitchen island or peninsula. Pendants come in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and styles.

Recessed

Many modern kitchens now include recessed lighting. Recessed lights give off great light without having a fixture in the ceiling that blocks the view and needs dusting. Recessed lights can be used all over the ceiling to create general ambient light, or placed over countertops to create task lighting for chopping and cooking.

Chandelier

While this look may not be for everyone, for those who love having some extra sparkle in their kitchen, a chandelier is an excellent choice. A chandelier is a light fixture that hangs down from the ceiling and has multiple lights that shine out and around the room.

Skylight

Okay, so this might not be a light fixture, but this type of kitchen light is unconventional in the best way possible. When combined with other light fixtures, a skylight makes a stunning statement that earned it an honorary place on our life. A skylight is, essentially, a window in the ceiling or roof of the house. It lets natural light flood into the room, filling it with bright white light. While they may only be “useful” during the day, they’re a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

These tiny fixtures pack a powerful punch! Mounting lights underneath your wall cabinets will brighten your countertops, making it an easy place to prepare food. They’re also a great addition for late-night snacking – they give off enough light to see in the kitchen without having to be blinded by the full power of the ceiling lights. Under-cabinet lights come in a lot of shapes and sizes – you can get small, individual lights like these, or strips of LED lights that give off an even glow. Many are battery-powered, so they’re easy to install – but you can also have them hard wired to a switch (our favorite option!)

Cove Lighting

If your kitchen has a beautiful coved ceiling like this one, adding a small strip of inexpensive LED lights around the interior of the structure can create a beautiful, high-end look for next to nothing.

Ceiling Fan

While it may not be the first thing you think about when you hear “kitchen lighting” – a ceiling fan can be a great choice for the kitchen! It’s most commonly found in kitchens with high ceilings or in large great rooms (spaces that combine kitchen, dining, and living areas) to help keep air circulating and comfortable across the larger space. It’s also the perfect option for outdoor kitchens to help keep insects at bay while you’re preparing and enjoying your meal.

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Regardless of which fixtures you choose for your kitchen, as long as you make sure that your countertops are well-lit and the light levels are comfortable for the way you use the room, you should be in great shape to enjoy your kitchen for years to come.

If you’re not sure which fixtures would be best for your kitchen, or if you need help arranging your fixtures in the best positions for your space, stop by our showroom and chat with one of our lighting specialists! We’ll give you expert advice tailored to your room and help you get on your way to lighting your home just the way you like it.

Top Tips to Lighting Every Room of Your Home

by admin · Feb 9, 2023

Many homeowners fall into the trap of relying on paint and mirrors to lighten up a room. While these are tricks that work, they’re just bandaid fixes that ultimately limit your design options. One of the best ways to make your house a home is to have great lighting in each room. And just as every room has a different function, and they all have their own lighting needs.

Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! Getting the best lighting set up is almost always a simple undertaking, and this is something that can be done on any budget.

Set aside some time to do a tour of your home, looking specifically for places where your lighting just isn’t doing you any favors. To help you out, we created a checklist you can use to find what’s missing.

Front Exterior
Entry
Living Room
Kitchen
Dining
Bathrooms
Office
Bedroom
Backyard

Front Exterior

The front of your house carries a lot of weight. It’s what you drive up to, what your friends and family see first, and plays a big role in your relationship with your neighbors. It also is the first line of defense against intruders. If your curb appeal is lacking, look for these things:

A well-lit door: What’s better than coming home to warm, golden light washing over your front door? If your exterior feels dim or dingy, you’d be surprised at how dramatic a transformation you’ll get when you replace the fixtures by your door.
Sidewalk lights: Keep you and your visitors safe with sidewalk lights leading to and from your home. They also add a little fairy light magic to your home!
Motion sensor flood light: Any motion sensing light is a great way to increase your home’s safety. Flood lights are an added bonus, as sudden bright light usually scares off intruders – whether human or pest.

Entryway

Crossing the threshold is an important moment. When you walk through the door, you’re looking for a place to relax and be yourself after work, running errands, or shuffling the kids to activities. Your entryway sets the tone for your home for you and your for your guests – don’t skip out on the lighting in here!

Buffet table catch-all: Use a lamp on a buffet table to make it easier to take off shoes after a late night. Small space? Use reflective finishes to add some extra light.
Smart lighting for smooth entry: Smart bulbs can be set to a schedule to keep your entryway ready at all times. Some can even turn on automatically when you arrive, or respond to voice commands when your hands are full.
Wall/Ceiling Lights: If your entryway feels to dim or too harsh, try swapping out the bulbs in your fixtures with LEDs with a different lumen count (measures brightness) or a different light “temperature”. (Warm/soft white bulbs make you feel cozy and comfortable, and bright/daylight bulbs will make you feel alert.) Some smart bulbs can even switch back and forth with the help of a small remote or a smart home hub.

Living Room

Your living room is the hub for comfy entertaining and family relaxing. You need it to be well-lit but still cozy. Consider these:.

Ditch boring fixtures: You living room is a great place to choose more decorative fixtures. Find something that speaks to your soul and swap it out. It’ll instantly boost your mood every time you walk into the room!

Mood lighting: Nail mood lighting by making sure you have light coming from more than just a single overhead light. Lamps and sconces shine a quiet, cozy light when the main light is off – perfect for a relaxing evening at home.

Media lighting: Movie nights are core memories – but staring at a screen in a dark room is hard on your eyes. For the film aficionados and gamers alike, we recommend either backlighting your TV with an LED strip light or keeping a couple of dim lamps around.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of the home, used for both focused work and for entertaining. That means you need to pay close attention to light layering so you can quickly flip from one function to another.

- Task lighting: Bright lights are necessary for safe cooking! Light your countertops with island pendants and LEDs under cabinets lights to improve your accuracy while dicing and sauteing.
- Dimmable lights: Late night snack turned heartfelt conversation with cocoa? Install dimmable lights so you can create a space for more intimate moments that’s away from harsh lighting.

Light up your cabinets: Want to make your cabinets look high-end without high-end work? Use LED strip lights inside glass-fronted cabinets for a curated look, or put LED pucks on top of the cabinets to reflect light upwards and make the room feel bigger.

Dining Room

Have you ever noticed that most restaurants are pretty dark? That’s because people talk more, eat slower, and stay longer in a relaxed atmosphere. Recreating this ambiance in your home is sure to make your meals more enjoyable.

Comfy Cozy: Use warm bulbs in your fixtures to create a cozy vibe. Look for bulbs that say “soft white” or that are less than 3000K. If it’s in the budget, swap out that flush mount light with a chandelier or pendants light-filtering shades to wash your space with soft, warm light.
Try candles: Adding candles is a quick and easy way to soften the space and increase the feeling of closeness. For apartment dwellers or those with young children, battery-powered candles are a great flameless alternative.
Keep it separate: If your dining room is close to your kitchen, turn off the kitchen lights once you’re ready to eat so that your dining table is the center of attention.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms play multiple roles, so they need to have clever lighting. On the one hand, they are “get ready central,” where true light is critical to having great makeup and a clean shave. But, on the other hand, they are also a relaxation hub, where harsh lights won’t help.

Bright lights for mirrors: Replacing the light above your mirror is a fast and simple project that will make a huge impact on both the functionality and overall appearance of your bathroom. Use bright, cool lights for the best makeup application and cleanest shave.
Warm light for relaxation: Use warm light over tubs or showers to help you relax in the water after a long week. No lights over the tub? A warm night-light or set of LED candles will give you the same feeling!
Use multiple light switches: You can easily custom control the lights for each activity.

Home Office

Spending a lot time in the home office these days? Your office lighting impacts the quality of your work, so take a minute to assess what you need to do your best.

Update your overhead lighting: Get rid of that builder-grade light and put in a cool chandelier or pendant to jumpstart your creativity.
Modern deks lamps: Make sure you have plenty of light for your workspace with a great lamp. If you’re on video calls often, try shining the light on the wall in front of you rather than directly on your face – it’ll bounce back and give a softer light that’s easier on your eyes.
Create a designated recharge area: Set aside a corner in your office to take a few breaks during the day. Get a comfy chair and soft lighting so your brain can rest and recharge between meetings.

Bedrooms

Your bedroom is your place to relax, unwind, and get a full night’s rest. However, the lighting in your room will significantly impact your ability to shut off your brain and get deep into that REM sleep.

Prepare for rest: Blue light (like the light from daylight LEDs and from phone or TV screens) will keep your brain awake, so avoid blue light sources for 1-2 hours before bed. Use soft, warm light bulbs only in your room!
Be careful with tech: We’re strong believers in mood lighting – but those tiny LED lights on power cables, alarm clocks, speakers, etc. are not it. Remove what you can, and cover the rest with dimming stickers.
Lighting you feel: Focus on how you feel. Swap out old fixtures or lamps that you don’t love with something that you’ll enjoy seeing every night. Too warm? Replace your overhead light with a ceiling fan so you can rest comfortably.

Pro tip: It’s okay to use brighter, whiter lights in your closet so you have a place to check the true colors of your outfit before you head out for the day.

Backyard

Once you’ve walked through each room, don’t forget to check your outdoor space! Whether it’s a big suburban yard or a small 5th floor balcony, it should be a great place to spend long summer nights while keeping you and your family safe.

Bring the magic: Fairy lights or string lights feel like a luxury, but they’re actually really affordable and easy to hang. They’ll bring a little bit of magic to your nights whether it’s an evening party with friends or a backyard campout with the kids.
Proper lighting for activities: Make sure your yard has adequate lighting for all of the ways you use it. Install flood lights in active areas like basketball hoops. Put in a row of solar path lights along walkways.
Exterior lights: If your patio is too dim, it might be an easier fix than you realize. Replace that tiny, old wall sconce light with a modern fixture. If you need lots of light – opt for a fixture with multiple bulbs and/or clear glass.

Don’t Stress It

Great lighting is an essential part of a well-designed and a fully functioning home – but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! The biggest thing to remember, TL;DR of it all is that you need to have multiple sources of light in each room. Lamps and smart bulbs are your friend!

If you want some help getting it right, contact the experts at Pine Grove Lighting for advice on your project! Lighting is what we do – so we’re not going to toss you the closest box off a shelf and say “have at it!” If you’re not happy with your home’s lighting, we’ll help you find what’s right for you.

Home Lighting and Interior Design 101: Top Interior Design Tips From The Lighting Experts

by admin · Jan 30, 2023

Have you ever walked through your home and wondered, “why did my stuff look cuter online/in-store?” If you have, there’s a decent chance the problem is your home lighting. Product images and store displays always have excellent lighting, showing you the best possible version of their decor, paint samples, art, and furniture.

But if you buy that gorgeous piece or perfect paint color and put it under poor lighting, you’re bound to feel like you got duped.

Luckily, the rules to great lighting aren’t very complicated! You can start updating your home lighting for relatively low cost, low skill, and low tools.

Consider this post a free course on home lighting essentials, including practical interior design tips from lighting experts. Answer quiz questions along the way to see if you’ve got it, then apply what you learn to make your interior design shine!

The Basics

Let’s start with a few basic terms and ideas– including five layers of great lighting and why the bulbs you use significantly impact how your home reads.

Layers of Light

You can break up your home lighting into five different categories. Once you understand how the categories work, you can mix and match them to fit your needs. Here are the five layers you should consider in each of your rooms:

General/Ambient: the primary light source for the entire room.
Task: more focused light over a workspace, like a kitchen island or desk.
Accent: think mood lighting; creates an atmosphere rather than light up the whole room.
Decorative: it’s more about what the fixture adds to the overall design than the light it gives.
Natural: working with windows (and firelight) to maximize color and space.

We’ll break down tips for working with each of these layers later on. For now, keep in mind that a well-lit room typically has five to seven light sources spread across these categories.

Question 1: Which type of lighting is most responsible for setting the mood in your space?

Warmth of Bulbs

There is so much information available on bulb temperature. The truth is you can get started with just a few pieces of information. First, bulb temperature refers to the color and brightness of the light. So let’s break it down.

Cool light will wake you up, help you focus, and is best for showing the true colors of paint, makeup, and clothing. These are the bulbs in the bottom row of the image above. Cool bulbs are great for offices, kitchens, and vanities.

Warm light has the opposite effect– it relaxes and casts a yellow or orange glow on your walls and furniture. Warm light is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas.

Both ends of the spectrum are important for different areas. And sometimes you might need to combine them in the same room so you can control the activity you’re doing.

Now, let’s get into some specifics about how to work with each of our five light categories.

Question 2: Which light temperature is best for relaxing, cool or warm?

General or Ambient Light

As stated earlier, general or ambient lighting is your primary source of light for your space. It’s often centered in the ceiling so it can cast a bright, even light across the room. Your light fixture will greatly impact how the light casts. For example, flush mount domes offer little resistance to light, while metal shades will concentrate light downwards.

Since general lighting gives the most light, it will set the tone for your space. Here are a few top tips for nailing the general lighting in your home:

Use cool ambient lighting for kitchens, offices, and bathrooms.
Use warm light for living rooms, dining, and bedrooms.
Swap out your builder-grade flush mount for an immediate (not to mention cheap and easy) upgrade.

Question 3: Where should you position your general light source?

Task Lighting

Task lighting concentrates light (and your focus) on important tasks, like homework, dicing up vegetables, and filling out expense reports. They are also more obvious choices in your design since they often hang down or sit close to the action.

Top tips:

Hanging pendants often look best in odd numbers, so stick to one, three, or five pendants where possible.
Strip lights or spotlights tap into task lighting fixtures to highlight art or displays to create design focus.
Don’t forget LED strips as a versatile option! Place them around mirrors and under cabinets for steady, bright light.

Question 4: How do you know what areas need task lighting?

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting covers mood lighting and rounds out the lightscape. From reading lamps to LED strips behind TVs, they land closer to decorative lighting than really focusing on function.

But don’t underestimate what they deliver! Accent lighting easily becomes general lighting during movies, date nights, and intimate gatherings with friends and family.

Top tips:

Warm light is usually best for accent lighting. Scatter a few accent light sources around gathering places to have enough light to fill the room without the general light source.
Sconces are a great way to switch up typical lamps. And some come with plug-in cords– no hard wiring needed!
Color-changing bulbs and LEDs are a great option for accent lights. Then they are versatile for task lighting or mood lighting as the situation requires!

Question 5: True or false? If I want to add accent lights to my home, I have to hire an electrician.

Decorative Lighting

The final category is sometimes lumped in with accent lighting since they both have more to do with aesthetics than functionality. But we pulled this out to give special attention.

Decorative lighting is about adding a super cool fixture, with the provided light taking a backseat. For example, using a chandelier for general lighting offers general light for the room, but its top priority is providing a visual “wow.”

Try mixing up the expected, like using pendants or sconces where you’d normally use a lamp.
Get creative and turn a statue or other thrift finds into a one-of-a-kind light source.
Work with a local light showroom for designer-level pieces for a fraction of the price– plus top tips on installation and more!

Question 6: What is the purpose of decorative lighting?

Natural Light

Natural light is the final component of your lightscape. While manipulating natural light isn’t as easy as shopping for a great light fixture, it’s still critical to the overall feel of your home.

For example, when shopping for paint, check the swatches day and night to see if there’s a dramatic change in appearance. This will also inform your decision on what kind of bulbs you use. And if your room’s color changes a lot from day to night, you can use cooler “daylight bulbs” to keep your color from changing as much.

Top tips:

To get an airy feeling, use light curtains and hang them as close to the ceiling as you can, regardless of where your window stops.
Which way do your windows face? You’ll get very different glows north versus south, as north-facing windows tend to get cooler light, with south-facing windows giving warmer light. Work with the natural light temperature when picking paint colors and decor!
Remember, dark colors absorb light, and lighter colors reflect it. So if you want a dark, moody space, dark paint will help to suck in extra light while still getting to keep the windows open.

Question 7: True or false? Paint colors always look the same, no matter the time or the way windows face.

Summary

With a basic understanding of these simple lighting and interior design principles, you’re ready to convert your home from predictable and dull to vibrant and glowing! Remember:

You need all five layers of light to pull off a great room design.
- General: main light source.
- Task: focused light on important activities.
- Accent: set the mood.
- Decorative: dress it up, make it unexpected.
- Natural: work the windows.
Bulb temperature affects concentration and color interpretation.
- Cool light for true colors and enhanced focus.
- Warm light for cozy relaxation and a golden touch to color.
Updating your lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. Work with local professionals to get a leg up with great selections, expert advice, and affordable prices.

Need Help?

Proper lighting is essential to a fully functioning home– but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! Contact the experts at Pine Grove Lighting for advice on your project!

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Quiz Answers:

Question 1: Which type of lighting is most responsible for setting the mood in your space?

General (ambient) lighting is a room’s main light source, so it’s the primary contributor to the mood.

Question 2: Which light temperature is best for relaxing, cool or warm?

Warm light naturally relaxes your brain and helps you to fall asleep. Cool light wakes up your brain for detailed work.

Question 3: Where should you position your general light source?

General lighting should come from as high and centered as possible for even light distribution.

Question 4: How do you know what areas need task lighting?

If you have an area where you perform detailed work, you should check to see if you need task lighting! Ambient lighting can provide enough light, but focused work often requires focused lighting.

Question 5: True or false? If I want to add accent lights to my home, I have to hire an electrician.

False! There are many options for battery-operated and plug-in accent lighting.

Question 6: What is the purpose of decorative lighting?

Decorative lighting works with your decor as art, giving a unique lift to your design. It’s one more detail that helps you show off your style!

Question 7: True or false? Changing your lighting will change your paint colors.

True! All colors change with the quality of the light shining on them. Window position, time of day, and bulb temperature will all change how your paint reads.