Good lighting is about more than just “putting up a nice lamp”. It should support everyday life, enhance the space, and create an atmosphere. Ideally, you should combine three objectives: lighting for living, lighting to highlight, and lighting to create a mood using separate circuits and, if possible, dimmers to adjust the lighting according to the time of day.
Here is a summary of practical tips, room by room, inspired by practical lighting choices.
Kitchen: a demanding space that needs to be lit in several zones
- Over the worktops, the lighting must be highly functional: ensure you have direct, well-positioned lighting to avoid shadows.
- For ambience, use indirect lighting (above wall units or under the island): it softens the room and makes it pleasant in the evening.
- Above an island or a table, pendant lights create a visual focal point and give structure to the space.
- Maximum comfort for everyday life: lighting scenes (preparation / meal / evening)
Dining area: less technical, more about presentation
- Here, lighting is mainly about creating atmosphere: a chandelier or a statement pendant light can become the focal point.
- A spotlight focused on a centrepiece (flowers, an object) is often enough to add depth.
- Think about candles: they’re simple, but unbeatable for c
- Creating a warm atmosphere.
Marie Claire Maison - 📸 Julien Fernandez
Living room: the room where “layers” of light make all the difference
- Design your lighting as a cohesive whole: table lamps and floor lamps for atmosphere, subtle lighting for bookcases, and a few more directional spots to add rhythm.
- In a library, combining soft light with more focused lighting highlights objects and avoids a “flat” effect.
- For artwork, dedicated lighting makes all the difference: it creates focal points and adds depth.
- A useful tip: highlight the centre of the room (coffee table, floral arrangement) with a subtle light source.
House & Garden - 📸 Paul Massey 🔼 📸 Michael Sinclair 🔽
Bedroom: soft, practical, and never harsh
- A dedicated light above the bed (for a painting, for example) can illuminate both the artwork and the bed area.
- To avoid a bedroom that is too dark, a few well-spaced recessed spotlights can provide a basic light source, provided they are fitted with dimmers.
- The rest should be soft lighting: bedside lamps, wall lights, or light pendant lights to create a calm atmosphere.
AD MAGAZINE - 📸 Matthieu Salvaing
Bathroom: prioritise comfort in front of the mirror
- For flattering and effective lighting, opt for two wall lights with soft light on either side of the mirror (rather than a single light above it).
- Another very neat solution: move the mirror away from the wall and fit a light behind it to create an even glow.
- Add a few ceiling spotlights to highlight the vanity unit and the bath, and bring out the finishes.
- If you have textured tiles:
- even lighting makes the bathroom brighter and ‘neater’,
- lower-angled lighting creates shadows and reveals the texture,
- small, low-hanging lights can create a softer, almost ‘spa-like’ atmosphere.
📸 Bathroom Good Vibes // 📸 Bénédicte Drummond
In conclusion
Successful lighting design is, above all, about considering both function and atmosphere at the same time. A well-lit home isn’t necessarily brighter: it is better structured, more comfortable and more flattering to materials, colours and spaces.
By working room by room, separating the light sources (functional and decorative) and, wherever possible, incorporating dimmers and separate circuits, you achieve a lasting result: lighting that adapts to daily life, from morning to night, and gives each space just the right atmosphere.