- Start by utilizing any natural light you can.
- Keeping clean windows and keeping them open at most times would let the natural light in.
If you worry about privacy use a frosted and etched window film on the window to keep the flow of natural light.
To make the room look spacious, choose light colors for the walls, and the lightest shade for the window facing a wall so that it reflects the natural light. Top it up with a matt finish.
- Hidden lighting is both space-saving and gives away extra room for neatness and openness.
- To make walls themselves a source of light, a wash of light is created by LED strips along picture rails, and under kitchen cabinets.
If low ceilings preclude the use of pendants, get creative with vintage lights – a vertical tube light on a wall for ambient lighting, or lights that can be used as both up-lighters or reading lights.
There are certain clever design techniques used especially for small rooms to make them feel larger than their actual size. In this article, we’ll try to show you the maxima of such techniques, and will make you aware of various lightings that’ll better help you achieve your goal of lighting small spaces.
- Lamps in certain spaces will lighten up dark corners.
- Lighting under cabinet isn’t just for looks but also very practical as it helps with cooking routine.
These were a few basic tips, now, let’s move ahead to see what we’ve got more to light small spaces, and rooms.
So, without a further delay, let’s get straight into it!
1. Use Multiple Light Sources
Multiple light sources are better than a central source. Distribute them evenly for a well-lit room. You can install pendant lights, lamps, wall sconces, ceiling fixtures, recessed lighting etc as per need and demand of the room/space.
2. Compact Lighting Fixtures
We recommend you replace heavy chandeliers with slender pendants, although a better choice for smaller spaces will be flush lighting. This is because, for smaller spaces small, compact, flatten or elongated lighting fixtures serves the role, best.
3. Use Recessed and Track Lighting
For further enhancement, and making your small space look bigger, use recessed and track lighting as they provide sufficient light without taking up a lot of space.
4. Light the inside of Shelves and Wardrobes
Use LED strips to light inside shelves and wardrobes. This won’t take any space, instead will shower you with the lights that best suits your daily tasks.
5. Use Backlighting
Installing Backlighting behind the furniture, and in other dark-dumb areas, will not only eliminate darkness, but will give the sense of extra depth. Hence, adding backlighting is best when you’re looking to light up smaller spaces.
6. Light-up the Vertical Paths
Lighting up the vertical paths with various lighting fixtures, will add lighting magic to those small, gloomy vertical entrances, and will eventually enhance the overall home’s aesthetics.
Consider adding long floor lamps, table lamps, and uplight wall sconces.
7. Maximize Natural Light
Don’t obstruct natural light pathways. Keep a good flow of natural light inside the room for spacious looks.
8. Use Mirrors
It is best to place mirrors where there is a natural light source nearby. They’ll reflect the natural light, thereby making the area look, more spacious.
9. Transparent Surfaces and Compact Furniture
Consider adding slender furniture and transparent surfaces (glass tables and doors and perforated screens) to small spaces. This will make the room look bigger than it is.
How do you light up a small room?
- Install high and eye-catching ceiling fixture.
- Add wall sconces and overhead lightings for a powder or store room.
- Select lampshades wisely, or if required, install by mixing them.
- Furthermore, use incandescent lights, task lighting, mirrors, and hidden or recessed lighting to light up a small room.
Go for whichever suits the best!
How to Light Particular Small Spaces?
The key to a small room look spacious and airy is to cleverly use different kinds of lighting fixtures to create a bright, illuminated space.
1. The Office Nook
Overhead lighting is a basic feature of a small office nook. A mini pendant light above the desk and a table lamp shall suffice in providing enough amount of light required not only for work but also make it look nice and professional.
2. The Small Hallway
A small chandelier will make the space look formal and welcoming. Lining the walls with sconces will, in turn, make the narrow area appear bigger. There are some best ways to lit small hallways and tricks to make them looks bigger than they are.
3. The Powder Room
A mirror with built-in lights does double work in the powder room. A smart pendant or flush mount can also prove to be a good option.
4. The Spare Room
Replace table lamps with sconces whether they’re installed in walls or hung above the nightstand, they provide both kinds of lighting: task and ambient lighting.
5. The Cozy Kitchen
Overhead ambient lighting is great for cabinets, countertops, or backsplash. Pendant light or flush mount is not only fashionable but also effective.
Here are a few tips to light up an area smartly!
- Combine wall lights with track lights for a versatile effect.
- Use mirrors for spacious looks.
- Use recessed lights combined with different wall mounts for brightening up a room.
- Paint the ceiling white and use track lighting and floor lamps.
- Adjust the fixtures in such angles that it makes the room look bigger and brighter.
- 6- Adjust lights in a linear setting for a broader appearance.
Lighting Fixtures you’d Love to Install to light your Home’s Small Spaces
1. Ceiling Fixtures
Combine ceiling light with other fixtures to create vast space.
2. Lampshades
Choose lampshades wisely and avoid the ones that have dark covers.
3. Incandescent Light
Use soft, yellow light bulbs to create a warm, inviting ambiance in the house.
4. Task Lighting
Use task lighting for work areas e.g. Reading and cooking.
5. Use Dimmers
Using dimmers will let you control the amount of light needed at different times of the day.
Various lighting fixtures you want to light your small spaces
- Geometric Lights
- Wide Fixtures
- Interesting Lamps
- Matching Lamps
- Hanging Bulbs
- Sparkling Strings
- Chain Lamps
- Decorative Side Lamps
- Sphere Light
- Bubble Fixture
- Hidden Lights
- Tropical Style Lamps
- Box Lights
- Swanky Lamp
- Recessed Lighting
- Drop Ceiling Light
- Soft Lighting
- Glass Lamps
- Romantic Hanging Lamps
- Bold Fixture
- Wooden Table Lamp
- Bulb Lights
- Multi-Directional Lamp
- Caged Bulb
- Rustic Lamp
- Tiny Side Lamps
- Covered Chandelier
- Industrial Lamps
- Large Orbs
- Ornate Lamps
- Vault Ceiling Lights
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you make a small room look bigger with light?
To make a small room look bigger with light consider spreading the light around, use wall sconces or recessed lights to light up the corners, install long pendant to make the room’s height seems longer, use a big flamboyant lamp to add a statement to room’s space, spindly lamps with small shades will also work to make small rooms look spacious.
Q. How do you make a soft light in a room?
To make a soft light in a room to warm-up your winters is by varying your lighting fixtures, adding in different shades light bulbs, installing set of sconces, adding light-diffusing lamp shades, lighting some candles, faking the look of recessed lights, extending the lighting fixture string, and above all addition of dimmer switches.
Q. How many lamps should be there in a room?
If the room is spacious then 2-4 lamps of various styles and usage will work well. But if you’ve got small space, then 1-2 is quiet a good number.
Conclusion
So, with our amazing ideas and easy guide, which small area are you going to turn into a bigger, spacious one?
Start with smaller ideas and grab on the basics. Get done with measurements and calculations to know exactly where you’d be installing the light fixtures. Décor can follow later, with the basics being taken care of.
There are dozens of decorative lights on this list that you can look for to turn a small, boring area into a fun, lively, and roomy space.
Remember, lighting isn’t just a necessity, it is an art too. Play with it here and there and brighten up the place! Thanks!
