Congratulations on moving into your new home! It’s a big accomplishment, and now it’s time to make your home truly yours. With the construction phase complete, interior design comes into focus. It’s the perfect time to create a space that reflects your style and add personal touches. One of the most important parts of home design is lighting. Good lighting can make a huge difference in the look and feel of a room. It sets the mood and brings everything together. If you’re looking for lighting ideas for your new home, here are some tips to help you create the perfect lighting for your home.

Plan it well

There are different types of lighting: ambient, task, accent, decorative, and natural. Each type plays a major role in how your home looks. For rooms that get a lot of natural light, you can use sheer curtains that allow sunlight to enter. In the living room, ambient lights can create a cozy atmosphere. Don’t forget to add some accent lighting in the corners and task lighting near the dining area. Think about the lighting for each room based on its purpose and furniture. It’s important to keep the look consistent throughout the house. If your home is still under construction, you can plan your lighting while it’s still under construction.

Consider Height

The height of the lights is important for getting the right effect. Lights that are placed too high or too low will reduce their effect. Make sure you know your ceiling height before you hang any lights. If you have adjustable hanging lights, you can set them as you need. As a general rule, hang lights 12 to 20 inches below an 8-foot ceiling. For each additional foot of ceiling height, add another 3 inches. When hanging lights above a table or kitchen island, leave 28 to 34 inches between the bottom of the light and the surface. Also, consider the size of the light. If the light is small, hang it a little lower, and for larger lights, you can place them higher.

Let the light work for you

Lighting isn’t just about appearance. It should also be functional. Depending on the room, you can add wall sconces or uplighting to create a soft, inviting atmosphere. A combination of downlights and uplights works well. However, avoid using too many downlights, as they can create harsh shadows.

Light unusual places

In addition to lighting common areas like corners and tables, think about lighting other areas of your home. For example, you can add lights to the stairs to make them easier to navigate at night. You can place lights on the sides of the stairs or in the risers, making them functional and stylish. Add strip lighting under the base cabinets to add a nice glow to the overall look of the room.

Add colorful light shades

If you want to make a room more fun and interesting, try using colorful light shades. These work well in rooms with light-colored furniture and curtains. These bright shades add a pop of color and look beautiful when the light is on.

Decorative lighting

Lighting can also be used for decoration. You can mix accent lights and ambient lighting to give a room a unique and stylish look. Lights can be a great alternative to wall art, adding a modern touch to your space.

Choose the right glow

Apart from the design, make sure to choose the right type of lightbulbs. You can try different bulbs in warm or cool tones, such as halogen, compact fluorescent, or LED. If your room is painted in light colors, using a warm light bulb will give it a cozy feel. For rooms with dark shades, try using bulbs with cool tones to brighten the space.