Putting things in a different light
Lighting is one of the most powerful design elements in your home, yet it's often overlooked. While we tend to focus on how light affects the paint colour, it also plays a significant role in setting the mood, impacting our health, and creating visual illusions - just by switching a light on or off.
As a professional interior designer, I want to empower you to effortlessly transform your space without redecorating—by mastering lighting!
Whether you're brightening up a dark room or adding stylish lighting to a kitchen island, I’ll guide you through the four types of artificial lighting and how to use them to elevate your home décor. Ready to learn the designer secret? Let’s dive in!
Yes, natural light is the best—but let’s talk artificial
Before we dive into artificial lighting, I have to mention the obvious: natural light is the most flattering light for any space.
If you need ideas of how to maximise the natural light in a space, check out this article I wrote about 7 Tricks to brighten your home entrance (but can be applied to other spaces too).
If you’ve maximised the hell out of your natural light already, let’s explore the world of artificial lighting, which can work wonders when used correctly.
Plan Your Lighting
Okay, I know I just said you don’t have to redecorate, but if you were, this is the PERFECT time to time to map out where your light sources will go.
However, if you’re not planning a big overhaul, you can still make a huge impact by strategically adding or adjusting your light sources.
Here are the four types of lighting every home needs and how to implement them (without redecorating):
General Lighting: The foundation of your room's lighting
Also referred to in houses up and down England as: The Big Light.
Per minimum building regulations we all have one General Lighting source in each room. You know, the single flush or pendant fitting, probably located in the middle of the room, that floods your entire space with light. While necessary, this type of lighting can sometimes feel uninspired...
Take a minute to assess: does the placement of your general lighting fit your room’s layout? If your main pendant light isn't ideally located, or if you want to avoid drilling new holes in your ceiling, consider swaggering your light!
This is a simple technique that shifts the placement of your lights, perfect for aligning them with furniture like kitchen islands or dining tables without redecorating.
Practical Example
Originally this bedroom had two light fittings, located at either end of the room. After changing the layout and introducing a walk-in wardrobe, the lights were no longer in a suitable location for practical reasons and aesthetics reasons. As we had already decorated, the solution was to swagger them.
This solution works well in all cases where the furniture placement and layout is not aligned with the light fitting, like over a kitchen island or a dining table.
Quick Aside
You will notice that I don't have ads or pop-ups on my site. This is intentional as I find them rude and annoying. How dare they.
Instead, I've opted for offering useful links to my applicable services throughout my blogs - only where it makes sense to.
I also have other design Services and Freebies and I've made the links available again at the end of this blog, so you can browse them at your leisure when you've finished reading this article.
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Task Lighting: Focused light for functional spaces
Task lighting is all about providing direct, quality light where you need it most. This can be lighting for reading, cooking, or any other focused activity, like needlepoint and such.
Practical Example
You might have overhead lights in your kitchen, but if they’re behind you, they can cast shadows on your work surface as in the example of this kitchen floorplan:
There are six spotlights, additional pendant lights over the kitchen island and over the table. You would think that this would provide sufficient light for the space.
As shown in this illustration the light is behind you as you stand at the counter, casting a shadow over the work area.
One easy and affordable solution is adding under-cabinet lighting. I love IKEA's MITTLED LED strip lights because they’re dimmable, smart technology, energy-efficient, and easy to install without an electrician. They are available in white and stainless steel and varying lengths (from 20cm – 80cm) and can be joined together to give a continuous light effect
These lights not only brighten your work area but also create an inviting ambiance for evening dinners or entertaining.
Consider this version of the MITTLED LED strip lights, which also has a sensor, so it turns on automatically when you open a wardrobe, cupboard or drawer.
Another example of task lighting would be a lamp on the desk of this under the stairs home office space.
Ambient Light
Most rooms in our homes are multi-functional. Having suitable lighting for each task is not only good for our health (we know artificial light plays a role in our sleep pattern), but can alter our mood and make being in a room a more enjoyable experience.
Practical Example
Ambient lighting, often softer and more diffuse, sets the mood and enhances the atmosphere. Dimmer switches are a simple yet effective way to adjust the brightness of your general lighting and instantly create a cozy, welcoming environment.
You don’t need to make holes in your walls to install an additional light switch, smart lighting systems like Phillips Hue can be installed as easily as… changing a light bulb. Literally!
With these, you can adjust brightness, colour temperature, and even create customized lighting scenes that mimic your circadian rhythm - all from your smartphone. Imagine being able to transition from “bright and productive” to “relax and unwind” with just a tap!
You may be thinking: ‘Riana, does everything Interiors have to be Smart with you’, and I would say: ‘Naturally!’ (see what I did there?) But that is because I am a techy, having worked in computers and software for years.
A less techy option could be to swap your light bulbs for ones with a different Kelvin rating. From the scale below you could choose a light bulb that is warmer and doesn’t make the room feel too stark.
Another option is indirect light which actually provides the best Ambient Lighting.
Think no-wire wall sconces or recessed LED strip light that can be placed behind or on top of existing objects and surfaces.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is where the real magic happens! Yes, it typically highlights specific features in your home, such as artwork, architectural details, plants or even a textured wall. But beyond showcasing objects, accent lighting can also create visual illusions—like making a small room feel larger or a ceiling appear higher.
Practical Example
For example, placing accent lights on the walls or ceiling edges draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of space.
The rooms in the illustration below are the same size, however in the second room the back wall has been lit up, making the second room appear larger.
This is because the human eye is naturally drawn to the brightest point in the room, making anything else less of a focus.
Floor lamps aimed at walls or the ceiling can also make rooms feel larger and ceilings feel taller. It’s an easy trick that requires no renovation!
If you struggle with making décor decisions, because you can’t picture what your space will look like, you want to check out my Interior Design Visualisation service. I offer online and in-home consultations (across Cheshire and Merseyside). Book online now and select a date and time that suits you.
Wireless lighting options are a fantastic way to add accent lighting without the need for an electrician. Battery-powered options are often rechargeable, requiring no need for a power source nearby, dangling cables or an electrician.
These rechargeable wireless wall sconces offer additional remote control functions and enhances any space instantly. They're flexible, easy to install, and perfect for adding an elevated style to your space.
Ready to transform your space?
Lighting is more than just a functional element in your home - it’s a tool that can drastically improve the look, feel, and usability of a space without the need for major renovations.
If you found this guide helpful, take action! Whether you try one of these lighting tips or discovered new inspiration, even a small change can make a big difference. And if you know someone who could benefit from this article on how to improve their décor with lighting (and without redecorating), please share it with them.
My range of affordable design services are available now if you want to create a home you can't wait to come home to. Book online today and I'll work with you to achieve your dream home.
And as promised, here is a reminder of the link to my Home Page with my Free Resources for you to browse and sign up to if you see something you need for your home.
Any links provided throughout my blogs are NOT affiliated but based on my personal research and what I would use. The majority of images are from my projects, supplemented by personal inspiration and some AI-generated images.