Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

DIY

How many light sources do I need?

April 27, 2023

With the recent launch of our lighting collection with Shades of Light, we've been getting so much love and kind words, so thank you all for your continued support. After all, we designed the collection with you in mind, so it brings us joy to know that you're just as excited as we are! I wanted to highlight (literally) a commonly asked question I get about lighting in hopes of illuminating just how much of a difference lighting can make in your home: "How many lighting sources do I need in a room?" So if you're finding yourself in poorly lit spaces, keep reading for my rule of thumb.

Shop The Study

Lighting is one of the most crucial element in home design, yet often the most forgotten. Back in my early home design days, lighting used to be the cherry on top, but now that I know what a difference it can make, it takes more priority and more of the budget! Lighting contributes to the functionality, ambiance, and aesthetics of a space–It's everything. I'll say this: A room only looks as good as the lighting allows, so take the time to get it right.

So to answer your question, the lighting formula I use for every room is to incorporate these three lighting sources in every room.

Three main light sources

  1. Ambient lighting: This is general lighting that provides overall illumination to the room. Usually, this is achieved with a ceiling-mounted fixture, recessed lighting, or both.
  2. Task lighting: This type of lighting is designed to provide focused illumination for specific tasks such as reading, working, cooking, and more. Examples include table lamps, floor lamps, and pendants.
  3. Accent lighting: Accent lighting is used to highlight specific objects or areas in the room, such as artwork, plants, or architectural features. Examples of accent lighting include track lighting, picture lights, and sconces.

I would say that natural window light is an extremely preferred source of lighting, but not always guaranteed depending on the time of day and weather. For those reasons, I say it's a bonus lighting source!

Whether you are working to improve your bedroom, living room, or even your kitchen, do a little checklist to be sure you have all of your lighting boxes checked. Let's look at a few examples!

Lighting in the bedroom

Shop Our Bedroom

In our bedroom, the one and only source of ambient lighting in this room is the chandelier. It provides overall illumination to the entire room, and since the room is a bit larger and the ceilings are taller, we bumped up the lumens a bit. The nightstand lamps provide enough lighting to read in bed without any overhead lighting (AKA task lighting). And the picture light is doing such a good job of highlighting the beautiful artwork hanging above our bed. Get it?

Pro tip: Automate your task lighting with Alexa devices and smart bulbs so you can say, "Alexa, turn on the lights in the bedroom," or "Alexa, it's lamp-o-clock." These are the golden years, baby.

Lighting in the bonus room

Shop The Bonus Room

The bonus room is a really fun example because the ambient lighting is all recessed lighting, and they do an excellent job. There's a plethora of task lighting throughout this room, but here you can see two table lamps that give enough light for playing games, or sometimes we'll even keep a light on while we watch a movie so we can keep snacking. As for the sconce, it does a really good job of highlighting how darling that window nook is, which is exactly what accent lighting is for.

Lighting in the kitchen

Shop The Kitchen

In the kitchen, there are certainly more than three lighting sources because, with bigger spaces, you're probably going to need to sprinkle in more task and accent lighting throughout. Again, our ambient lighting is satisfied with recessed lighting, which is a really good idea for a bigger room. I think the pendants could pass as either task or accent lighting because they provide good lighting for Chris to chop and prepare food, but they also illuminate our beautiful countertops. Excellent. Similarly, the sconces highlight our focal point range hood, but they also provide efficient lighting for cooking.

I can't wrap up this post without mentioning decorative lighting, whose sole purpose is to add visual interest and style to the room rather than illumination. I'll just say that I hope all of my light fixtures provide visual interest, and I hope that my decorative lighting also doubles in function.

Which lighting questions should I answer next?

filed under: 
— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Thank you! I love these more instructive types of posts. I was definitely aware of ambient & task lighting (and the need for both). But accent lights weren’t really on my radar. I think this one is more challenging if you aren’t the position to rewire your house. Would love to know if you have lumen/wattage specs for each category or if it just depends?

  2. How did you get your recessed lighting to blend in so beautifully unlike the ugly can-lighting you see everywhere?

  3. Hi! Still three layers in a bathroom? What would replace the task lighting? I don’t think I’ll have a lamp in my bathroom😂😂

  4. This is great information. How do you set up the switches with multiple light sources? (For example, are the sconces separate from the chandelier?). I would like to use sconces as a sort of nightlight.

  5. Yes, to all of this! I'm designing our forever new-build and my contractor noted that my electrical plan came back higher than "typical" and it was for this exact reason. I've been thinking and planning how rooms will feel through windows and lighting for years, so I feel confident our planning will evoke all the feels in spaces when we're finally there. I'm thinking the Edie Chandelier would be perfect in my office!

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Beautifully wrapped traditional presents stacked in a doorway
Gift Guides!

Holiday Gift Guides for Everyone in Your Life {2024}

Remember the thrill of unwrapping a gift that felt just right? Let's bring that magic back this holiday season!! Our curated gift guides for 2024 are filled with thoughtful picks that will make your loved ones feel special. That's what it's all about, after all. Whether you're shopping for your main guy, your clutch coworker, […]
Modern traditional kitchen with marble island and gold barstools
round up

The Best Cyber Monday Deals for Holiday Hosting

This post is sponsored by Wayfair. By the time Cyber Monday rolls around, I've usually grabbed the Christmas gifts I plan to buy for others and have moved on to home decor (my other favorite thing to shop for). My head is spinning with ideas on what my home needs for holiday parties on the […]
Sales

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Deals in 2024

We collected all of the best deals of the holiday season—from tech to home decor—in one place for easy reference. Whether you want the lowest price on one of the best gifts of the year or you have a furniture item in your cart waiting for a discount, we’ve rounded up our recommendations. We're also […]
A white dish of peppermint brownies next to a red & white tea towel
Chris Cooks

Holiday Peppermint Brownies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Baking Dish | Striped Dish Towel (similar) I have a few recipes that are perfect for the holidays, and this is one of them. I make a really delicious brownie that can be made gluten-free and dairy-free, but you won't even know it's missing those elements when the peppermint flavor hits. It's really simple, and […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES