Learn how to layer ambient, task, and accent lighting with dimmers and warm tones to make for a comfy, vibey home.

Nothing kills a vibe faster than "the big light." You know that soul-sucking overhead fixture that makes your living room feel like a walk-in clinic. If you want your home to feel like a moody West Loop lounge rather than a sterile office, layering can help you get the job done.

Read on to get the tea on how to do lighting the right way.

1. Know your lighting types

Think of lighting like an outfit. You wouldn’t just wear a heavy coat with nothing underneath. You need layers such as:

• Ambient (The Base Layer): This is your general illumination. Think recessed cans or ceiling fixtures. Put these on dimmers so you can transition from "cleaning the house" to "cocktail hour" instantly.

• Task (The Function): This is light for doing things. A sleek reading lamp next to your favorite velvet armchair or under-cabinet LEDs so you can see what you’re doing without relying on harsh overhead lighting.

• Accent (The Drama): This is where you get fancy. Use picture lights to highlight that local art piece or sconces to add a glow to a hallway. It’s the jewelry of the room.

2. Define Your Zones (Without Using Walls)

Open-concept living is great until your dining area feels like it’s floating in a void. Use lighting to create rooms-within-a-room. A bold pendant light hanging over a dining table acts like a magnet and creates a zone. It creates an intimate bubble that feels separate from the kitchen chaos just a few feet away.

3. Match Light Temperature to The Space

Warm vs cool, that’s really all you need to know. 

Warm white light bulbs are best for living rooms and bedrooms because they’re cozy and inviting. Cool white light bulbs are best for bathrooms and laundry rooms because they make the space feel clean.

Color light bulbs can be fun, too. Red light bulbs can make a space feel sexy. 

We love Feit Electric smart bulbs because you can switch colors on their app or via your smart home devices like Alexa.

4. Install Dimmers

Dimmers are super easy to install and can adjust the mood in a room with a flick. Just make sure to put your lamps, sconces, and overhead lighting on separate switches.

Then when evening hits, kill the overhead lights and rely only on lamps to create a more relaxed vibe.

Ready To Kill the Overhead Lights For Good?

Whether you need a lighting plan for a full renovation or just want to swap your fixtures for something bolder, we can help. Book your free discovery call below so we can help shed some mood lighting on your vision.