HOW MUCH LIGHT DO I NEED?

Each space in your home requires a specific amount of light. Here are tips for what you need in each room.

ENTRYWAY

This room has a lot of function, but you also don’t spend too much concentrated time here. Focus on one or two flushmount lights that sufficiently illuminate the space. You should only have to turn on one light switch to light up this room.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is one of your main workspaces, so it needs a lot of light. Include plenty of overhead and recessed lighting, then add a pendant over the sink area and layer in pendants or a chandelier over the island. You can also add lighting underneath overhead cabinets for more light directly on the countertop work areas.

LIVING ROOM

Many people err on the side of too little light in the living room. Remember that you want to be able to play board games, read and have conversations with guests here. Pick a chandelier or overhead recessed lights, then add table and floor lamps to the areas that still seem dim.

DINING ROOM

Start with a statement-piece chandelier directly above the dining table to illuminate the area. Depending on the size of your dining room, you may also want to add recessed or flush-mount lights to add additional ambient light to the room.

BATHROOM

This room is small but has a lot of function, which means you need the overall ambient light to be bright. You can get away with a single vanity light in a small bathroom, but for larger bathrooms, make sure you have a light for each vanity, and a separate recessed or flush-mount light in the toilet and shower areas.

BEDROOM

This is a soothing place to relax and unwind, so the lighting doesn’t need to be too bright. Choose a chandelier, fan light or flush mount as your main ceiling source, then add table lamps on your nightstands or wall sconces next to the headboard for bedtime reading.

above left I Like any other rule in interior design, you can break it if you have a great idea (that will work, of course). Homeowner Kirsten Yanasak chose to create an upcycled hanging centerpiece above her island instead of hanging pendant lights or a chandelier. But she also added several strings of small paper lanterns for ambient illumination.

above right I If you have a room with vaulted ceilings, recessed lighting may not quite illuminate the space enough. In her California home, homeowner Heather Tartaglia added additional lighting next to her living room seating to make sure there was a targeted spotlight for reading or conversations.