6 Lighting Mistakes That Are Ruining the Mood in Your Home

Nov 05, 2024

If your decor is feeling a little lackluster, the lighting in the room could be to blame.

Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at Real Simple.

Phongpun Loomthong/Getty Images

If there’s one thing that impacts the mood of a space, it’s lighting. Bright lighting can make a room feel welcoming, while dimmer lighting can make a space feel intimate. The right (or the wrong) fixture also greatly impacts the aesthetics of a room. For example, a formal dining room just looks empty without a bold chandelier or pendant light.

But there’s a lot more that goes into lighting as well—including the type of light bulb you choose, the wattage, and more. Here are six common lighting mistakes you might be making, plus the easy way to fix each one.

One of the biggest lighting mistakes, according to interior designer Audrey Scheck, is installing fixtures that don't provide enough brightness throughout the space. After all, while fixtures are aesthetic, they also serve a very practical purpose.

If a room is very large, such as an open-concept living room, you may need more than one fixture or additional lighting sources such as lamps.

Not all types of lighting work well in every room of the home. For example, while overhead, recessed lighting might work well in a living room, shaded sconces might provide a soft, ambient light that's better suited to a bedroom. A large floor lamp is a fabulous way to light and decorate a home office, but would probably be out of place in a child’s playroom. A stylish home generally has a variety of lamps and fixtures.

According to Ben Marshall, creative director for Mitzi and HVLG, mistakes with light bulbs are all too common. “Fixtures have a recommendation for the maximum wattage the fixture is afforded. This doesn’t mean to do that though. It’s only intended to let the buyer know how much output the fixture is capable of. So, when buying bulbs, I would recommend buying a few different watt bulbs to see what works best.”

Color temperature is crucial for setting the right mood. “Some people prefer warmer (like me) versus brighter and whiter. I usually recommend 2500-2700K bulbs for the right warmth," says Marshall. On the other hand, Scheck suggests sticking with bulbs that are between 2700 - 3000K. “They provide light that is inviting without being too orange or blue.”

In general, spaces that have warm lighting are more relaxing. So opt for warmer lighting in places like bedrooms and cooler bulbs in places where you want to be more awake, like home offices and kitchens.

While it might cost a little bit extra to have dimmer switches installed, it’s worth the money considering how lighting can impact your mood. “Sometimes you need lots of light for cleaning your space and [other] tasks. However, if you intend to have a dinner party, you may want the light softer and not so bright. Lots of questions emerge when trying to create your space. After all, lighting is about layering versus filling up the room with pure light,” Marshall says.

You don’t need dimmer switches for every room. While they’re ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms—they aren’t necessary in guest rooms or home offices.

While fluorescent bulbs can be a smart buy because they use less energy than other types of lighting, they aren't the best choice for residential settings. This is because if they break, they release a small amount of mercury and must be cleaned up in a very specific manner. While no one plans on breaking a lightbulb, accidents happen—especially if there are children in the home. So, it’s safest to avoid this type of bulb altogether. Plus, fluorescent lighting tends to be jarring and unflattering.