Decorating
How to Use Light to Showcase Features in Your Home
Light is lovely in itself, but it can also be used to bring out the beauty in objects and areas around your home
Light is often the unsung hero of home design – if you think creatively, it can help you enhance numerous features in an interior. Check out these ideas for inspiration on how to accentuate different elements using light.
Line a hallway
A run of lights can bring glamour to an ordinary space such as a hall, cheerfully guiding visitors from the front door to the very heart of your home.
Here, the row of pendants offers a decorative alternative to a single light or a series of spots.
A run of lights can bring glamour to an ordinary space such as a hall, cheerfully guiding visitors from the front door to the very heart of your home.
Here, the row of pendants offers a decorative alternative to a single light or a series of spots.
Zone with a glow
LED striplights have a marvellous mix of beauty and utility, especially when placed along recesses to wash the areas below them with light.
In this modern kitchen, the bar stools are illuminated by a line of light, which turns the practical breakfast bar into a cosy seating area.
Find more kitchen lighting ideas in the Houzz Shop
LED striplights have a marvellous mix of beauty and utility, especially when placed along recesses to wash the areas below them with light.
In this modern kitchen, the bar stools are illuminated by a line of light, which turns the practical breakfast bar into a cosy seating area.
Find more kitchen lighting ideas in the Houzz Shop
Showcase shelving
Bring shelves and artwork to the fore with a lighting scheme that transforms ordinary alcoves into something quite wondrous.
Here, the light does all the decorative work in the space, while walls, flooring and even bedding are kept plain and simple so they don’t detract from the alcove features.
Bring shelves and artwork to the fore with a lighting scheme that transforms ordinary alcoves into something quite wondrous.
Here, the light does all the decorative work in the space, while walls, flooring and even bedding are kept plain and simple so they don’t detract from the alcove features.
Play tricks with Perspex
Most of the time, natural light throws furniture and fittings into sharp relief, but it can do the opposite, too.
Once hit with light, this Perspex desk and chair, positioned to maximise the daylight in this modern home office, recede from view, opening up the space with refracted light and leaving the computer as if floating at the window.
Unlike a more traditional study, this modern take feels spirit-lifting, outward-looking and full of energy.
Most of the time, natural light throws furniture and fittings into sharp relief, but it can do the opposite, too.
Once hit with light, this Perspex desk and chair, positioned to maximise the daylight in this modern home office, recede from view, opening up the space with refracted light and leaving the computer as if floating at the window.
Unlike a more traditional study, this modern take feels spirit-lifting, outward-looking and full of energy.
Shine a light on texture
Wall lights can work wonders on an interesting surface. Rather than just throwing light downwards, these fittings wash it upwards, too.
As a result, the whitewashed brick is thrown into areas of light and shade, showcasing the tactile nature of the wall in contrast to the smooth plaster elsewhere in the space.
The lighting design also reflects the perfectly poised symmetry of the space for a calming, balanced look.
Discover ideas to update your bedroom wall lights
Wall lights can work wonders on an interesting surface. Rather than just throwing light downwards, these fittings wash it upwards, too.
As a result, the whitewashed brick is thrown into areas of light and shade, showcasing the tactile nature of the wall in contrast to the smooth plaster elsewhere in the space.
The lighting design also reflects the perfectly poised symmetry of the space for a calming, balanced look.
Discover ideas to update your bedroom wall lights
Move on up
Use LED strip lighting to illuminate the treads on a staircase. These ones have been fitted into recesses on the risers, but a similar effect could be achieved by slotting a strip under the lip of each tread.
White walls, a glass banister and a chrome handrail all work to increase light levels in the stairwell, creating a cool and calming contrast to the rich, warm woodwork.
Use LED strip lighting to illuminate the treads on a staircase. These ones have been fitted into recesses on the risers, but a similar effect could be achieved by slotting a strip under the lip of each tread.
White walls, a glass banister and a chrome handrail all work to increase light levels in the stairwell, creating a cool and calming contrast to the rich, warm woodwork.
Lead the way
Don’t forget to factor in outdoor lighting, too. Use it functionally to mark out a path, but let it do more besides.
Create a lighting scheme that showcases not only stone pavers and clipped lawns, but planting schemes, pergolas and fencing. Use uplighters, downlighters, spotlights and lanterns just as you would inside the house – to fulfil a task, create a mood and always look beautiful.
Tell us…
How have you used light to add drama in your home? Share your experiences in the Comments section.
Don’t forget to factor in outdoor lighting, too. Use it functionally to mark out a path, but let it do more besides.
Create a lighting scheme that showcases not only stone pavers and clipped lawns, but planting schemes, pergolas and fencing. Use uplighters, downlighters, spotlights and lanterns just as you would inside the house – to fulfil a task, create a mood and always look beautiful.
Tell us…
How have you used light to add drama in your home? Share your experiences in the Comments section.
Internal bathrooms don’t have to be the dark, unloved bunkers of the home.
Here, the designers have used the space above a concealed cistern to create an alcove, which they’ve lined with mirrored glass and illuminated with a spotlight.
Obscure the reflection with a vase or ornament and it will look for all the world as if you have a window.
Track down bathroom designers in your area