How to Accent Your Rooms With Light

The perfect lighting can add much atmosphere and warmth to a room and they are an inexpensive way to change the look of a room. Ambiance is important, no matter the setting. Just as you wouldn't want a fluorescent light in the bedroom, you also wouldn't want a reading lamp in the kitchen. Selecting the perfect lighting for each room's accent is easier than you think.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin to think beyond the lamp that you need for reading; begin to think of lamps that will add atmosphere and warmth to your room. For instance, wall sconces adjacent to each side of the fireplace with flicker bulbs are always a charming addition to your family room.

2. Think of unconventional places like bookshelves, on the top of a hutch or china cabinet, or on a small table which is low to the floor on which to place your lamps. The lighting from these lamps will be soft and low, just an accent to draw attention to that area of the room. You don’t want to flood the room with light you just want to add warmth.

3. Consider placing a small attractive chandelier over an end table (installed as a swag lamp would be).

4. Try to be creative when it comes to the shades as well. There are so many beautiful lampshades that are available. Think beyond the basic white lampshade, the colored and decorated lampshades add so much more to the basic lamp. There are also many different lampshade shapes available; changing a lampshade every now and then gives your décor an instant pick-me-up.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun filling your home or apartment with light. Let your lamps be whimsical and warm, bold and bright, cheery and light, but most of all let your lamps be you! Be creative and enjoy accenting your rooms with light!