The “Do’s and Don'ts” of Coordinating Light Fixtures
Today I’ve decided to be a little vulnerable and write about something that’s just the slightest bit triggering for me (if your own blog isn’t a safe space, what is?). Now, my clients would never bear witness to this of course, because I am an utmost professional — but I have what could be described as a “complicated” relationship with lighting.
Yes, I know that lighting is the magical ingredient that can truly send a design into the “over-the-top gorgeous” realm! I’ve even discussed its importance in kitchens, and have covered which rooms you should invest in statement fixtures for, and where you can save on lighting. There’s no denying lighting is a linchpin for creating a beautiful, functional space.
However...
Finding the perfect lighting for a space can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. There are endless options, which any designer will tell you is equal parts blessing and curse. Lighting can also be incredibly pricey at times, which feels kind of unfair! Something that you literally need to include in a room for functionality (and to comply with safety codes in commercial spaces) shouldn’t eat up so much of a project’s budget, right? Alas, this is the reality we all share.
Ok, I feel much better now with that off of my chest. Thank you. ❤
To help make your experience with choosing lighting somewhat less painful, I’m going to give you some simple tips today for coordinating fixtures in your home. I can’t do anything about the overwhelming selection, or those often alarming price tags, but hopefully this post will give you some armor as you head into battle! Godspeed.
The “Do’s”
Do consider what’s happening in adjacent spaces.
Because of the popularity of open concept architecture, a mistake we often see is too little attention being paid to what’s happening from one room to the next. At most, lighting is a great way to create a larger gesture that unifies different design elements in adjacent rooms. At the very least, it’s important to make sure what’s happening in one room doesn’t clash or create visual confusion with what’s happening next door.
If you have an open-concept space to contend with, take note of how sightlines overlap within your ceilings. Even if they’re not right next to each other, if existing (or planned) fixtures have visible proximity to each other, make sure there’s a unifying element that links the two different styles. You’ll also want to pay attention to the color temperature in the bulbs you select between multiple fixtures so there is harmony between the spaces. We’ve included more information on mixing fixtures in the “Don’ts” section below!
Image courtesy of Progress Lighting.
Do layer your lighting based on need and function.
Most rooms should include three types of lighting — ambient, task, and accent lighting — with varying amounts of each type based on the room and the conditions or amount of natural light. The lighting types should be “layered” to ensure that there’s adequate lighting in the space for its intended use. For example, a kitchen would require more task lighting than a bedroom or living room. A room with ample natural lighting would require less ambient light. You will also need to make special considerations for lighting that can be used outdoors, or in damp and wet spaces.
Another consideration for layering lighting is incorporating the flexibility to control the amount of light throughout different times of the day, or in different circumstances. When planning your lighting, think about which fixtures would be benefitted by using dimmer switches, or even timers.
Do create a focal point.
If you opt to make a big statement with a special light fixture, make sure there is some sort of hierarchy that is established with your other selections. The goal here is to avoid too much competition for attention between your fixtures. Sticking to one main focal point will not only help your room’s lighting design make sense visually, but can help check a few other boxes such as keeping your budget in check, and balancing the amount of light in the space. For example, if a room includes two large chandeliers but no other accent or task lighting, you may find it difficult to light the space appropriately across different scenarios
The “Don'ts”
Don’t be afraid to mix it up!
If you play it safe and only go with fixtures that are from the same family/collection, then you are missing a huge design opportunity that gives your space a more professional and polished look. However, there’s an art to blending styles (which we covered more in-depth in our most recent post). You don’t want to end up with a chaotic collection of fixtures that distracts from the beauty in the rest of the room!
Since there are so many different things to consider with lighting — from materials and finishes, to styles, fixture types (pendant, flush-mount, chandelier, sconce), and even the purpose of the light (accenting art, or task lighting) — try not to mix more than two or three elements in one space. Also, be sure to have some unifying factor that ties everything together. That could be something like fixture style (art deco or mid-mod) or material (bronze and gold).
Don’t choose a fixture based only on looks or price.
The main purpose of lighting is to light the space. A fixture can be beautiful and definitely be a design tool to make a statement, but this shouldn’t become a decision where function takes a back seat to form. A fixture that is beautiful, but throws too little light into your space is not only useless, but ultimately a waste of money. Speaking of money, don’t just go for the cheapest fixtures you can find online. I’ve found that lighting is definitely a “you get what you pay for” situation. The cheaper the light, the lower the quality, which means it will either fail before too long, be difficult to assemble/install, be poorly made, be inefficient with energy use, or all of the above.
Don’t go with something too far outside of your comfort zone.
While you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new, I’d urge you to go just outside of your comfort zone versus down the block and around the corner from it. Lighting can be a significant investment and has the power to tie a room together in a beautiful way, or stick out like a sore thumb. Since it is often difficult or expensive to replace, this isn’t a decision to be hastily made. And if you feel like being a little riskier with your choices, save it for smaller sconces and accent pieces (table and floor lamps) instead of large pieces like chandeliers.
We hope these tips have “shed some light” on coordinating the fixtures in your home! Just have fun with it, and don't worry too much about making a mistake — nothing is permanent, after all. Be sure to pay attention to return policies and restocking feels before making any major investments, and you’ll be good to go!
Need help making more sense of this? There’s light at the end of the tunnel!
Custom Interior Design packages from Studio 1049 are a great solution for those problem areas in your home that might need just a little professional attention.