How Lamps and Overhead Lighting Work Together to Light Your Home

Professional designers know that lighting is a primary component of interior design. But not everyone on the planet went to school for design! At Matter Brothers Furniture, our educated professional interior designers are ready to help you achieve a home you’ll love.

Today, we’re talking about all sorts of interior lighting. We’ll cover overhead, floor lamps, and tabletop lamps. Then, we’ll explore how they work alone and together, and hopefully provide you with some ideas and inspiration. If you’d like to learn more about any of the pieces we feature here, contact us.

Before we get any farther, let’s think of three lighting types in a home and how you use them.

Three Types of Lighting in Your Home

Depending on how you use a room, you’ll need different types of light.

• Ambient light sets the stage and mood of a room.
• Task lighting is for reading or working.
• Accent lighting is for aesthetics (how the room looks) and can act as a nice nightlight for children, seniors, and guests.

Now that we’re in a designing frame of mind. Imagine your home empty — a blank canvas. And start with the most significant pieces of overhead lighting to begin your layering process.

Overhead: Mood Setters & Statement Pieces

Your choice in overhead lighting can set the mood for your entire home. They can create mellow ambient light and function as a visual centerpiece. Imagine the effect on a visitor who is greeted in your foyer or front entrance hall by a huge chandelier!

• Overhead lighting becomes the focal point of a room, so choose interesting styles and textures that speak to you.
• Check out our Naples furniture store overhead lighting in every kind, ranging from masculine to modern.
• Remember that significant overhead pieces often leave shadowy areas in corners of large rooms.
• That’s fine if we can address those dark corners later with lamps.
• Don’t expect a single overhead piece to be enough light for a room unless it’s a tiny room and a bright bulb.

Think of lighting in layers. Once you’ve selected a few overhead pieces to set the stage, it’s time to address the darkest spots, workspaces, and corners with floor lamps and larger tabletop lamps.

Layer Your Lighting With Lamps

Floor lamps are very versatile. Invest in a few nice ones — they can move around your home for decades! Should you decide to rearrange your furniture or re-purpose a bedroom in the future, they’re very adaptable.

Then, move on to larger tabletop lamps for secondary lighting.

• These are generally used for task lighting.
• You might like the one next to your favorite recliner.
• If you’re struggling to choose a table lamp, select one that’s a medium-size, in a neutral color, with a simple shade.

You must consider the purpose of a room as you implement your lighting ideas. Kitchens and bathrooms need to be very bright. Guest bedrooms can get by with ambient lighting and a floor lamp. If you work from home, like many Floridians, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate a well-lit home office. Entrances should feel warmly lit and welcoming.

Finally, it’s time to move on to smaller, occasional pieces. Most folks appreciate a small reading lamp on the nightstand.

Matter Brothers Furniture Offers Complimentary Design Services

You can find all the overhead lighting, lamps, and occasional pieces we’ve covered here at our furniture store in Naples, Tarpon Springs, Sarasota, Pinellas Park, and Fort Myers. Feel free to browse our website and check out our other interior design blogs. If you’d like one-on-one personal help, contact us. We’re proud to offer complimentary design services.