Make Your Home Look Expensive with the Right Lighting

Lighting can impact the overall look and feel of a home. Bad home lighting will stick out like a sore thumb, while the right lighting can make your home look expensive. Lighting has psychological effects on perceived luxury. It can affect how a space is perceived, can influence mood, and even change how you feel about a space. We'll show you how strategic lighting can elevate your home's aesthetic without breaking the bank. 

Why Lighting Matters in Interior Design

We all know that every home needs lights. You pay for the energy to keep the lights on, but it's time to start seeing home lighting as more than a utility. Light fixtures are also a design element of every home. Homeowners can use lighting to evoke certain moods, enhance spatial perception in rooms, and create design focal points. When lighting is good, you notice, and when lighting is bad, it jumps out at you. Common lighting mistakes that make your home feel cheap include harsh lighting color temperatures, relying only on overhead fixtures, using too little light in a room, and using the same fixtures throughout a home. 

Types of Lighting That Instantly Elevate a Space

Different kinds of lighting can elevate a space. Some types of ceiling and wall lighting will give your home a luxury feel. They are: 

• Picture Lighting: These are accent lights and can be used to highlight pictures and artwork. It elevates the space and the decoration by allowing it to stand out. 
• Wall Sconces: Sconces can also be used as accent lighting. When placed in staircases, bedrooms, and around fireplaces 
• Pendant Lights: Used as task lighting, select pendants with clear glass if you don't want to block views. Use pendants with solid shades for a more statement look. 
• Table/Floor Lamps: Table and floor lamps have a dual-use, accent and decorative, or both. 
• Chandeliers are great statement pieces and one of the best ways to elevate home spaces. Be sure to size the chandelier for the room. A general rule of thumb for choosing the right chandelier size is to add the length and width of the room in feet and then switch it to inches. I.e., a 12x12 room equals a 24" wide chandelier.

Lighting Tips to Make Your Home Look High-End

Earlier, we mentioned several lighting mistakes that can make your home feel cheap. So here are those lighting mistakes, how and why you should fix them. 

• Mistake One: Harsh lighting temperatures. Rather than using the inexpensive light bulbs that every home store sells, be picky with your choices. Choose light bulbs and lights that have color temperatures of 2700K-3000K. This will provide your home with a warm glow. Anything above 3500K is like the lighting they use in Walmart. And while there's nothing wrong with Walmart, it's not the vibe you want to make your home feel expensive. 
• Mistake Two: Relying only on overhead fixtures. You may think that onions and lighting have nothing in common, but let us say one word: layers—layer, layer, layer. Layering your lighting is one of the most important design choices. You'll need to use the three layers of lighting (ambient, task, and accent) to give rooms like kitchens, offices, and bedrooms luxury appeal. See how to use the three layers of lighting. 
• Mistake Three: Using too little light in a room. Without seeing a room properly, how do you know if it looks expensive? You don't! Many people make this mistake without realizing it. It's because most homes are built to be builder-grade homes. Typically, every room will come with a singular light (usually a flush mount) or only can lighting. This provides a one-dimensional view of your home. Add in your three layers of lighting, such as pendants, sconces, lamps, or undercabinet lighting. 
• Mistake Four: Using the same light fixture. This mistake may surprise many homeowners. Many people think it would be a good idea to use the same fixture throughout the home for uniformity; however, it's actually the opposite. The trick to making your home look expensive is to have different but coordinating light fixtures. Using various light fixtures provides a custom feel as you go from room to room.

Room-by-Room Guide for Lighting Ideas

Here are ideas for each room and the type of lighting you can add 

1. Living Room - Layered lights, statement chandeliers, sconces
2. Kitchen - Pendant lights (over kitchen islands), under-cabinet lighting, toe-kick lights
3. Bedroom - Beside sconces or pendants, soft, dimmable lighting, statement chandeliers, or sleek modern ceiling fans
4. Bathroom - Vanity lighting, LED mirrors, mirror-side sconces
5. Hallways & Entryways - Wall sconces, large chandeliers, depending on room height, flush mounts or semi-flush mounts

Let us know how you plan on using lighting to transform your home for a luxury feel! Don't be afraid to experiment with lighting styles and layers.