Expert Tips for Choosing Interior Lighting Room by Room

Getting your interior lighting right can make or break a room. I’ve learned this the hard way after living with fixtures that just didn’t work for how I  used each space. The good news? Once you understand a few key principles about pendant lights and wall-mounted fixtures, choosing the right lighting becomes much more straightforward.

Start with Function, Then Add Style

Before you fall in love with that gorgeous pendant light, ask yourself what you have envisioned for your space. Your living room probably serves multiple purposes: movie nights, reading, entertaining friends, etc., so your interior lighting should work for all of these. The bedroom needs different treatment than your home office, and your bathroom has completely different requirements than your dining room.

I always tell people to think about both the practical needs and the mood they want to create. A well-chosen pendant or wall sconce can provide the light you need while adding serious character to your space.

Living Room: Make a Statement

Living rooms are tricky because they’re usually our most versatile spaces. You need good general lighting that can handle everything from family game night to quiet conversations with friends.

Statement pendant lights can be perfect for living rooms, especially in spaces with higher ceilings or over seating areas. The Eagle Rock is one of our team’s favorites for this; it brings that perfect mix of vintage character and modern functionality. It features a good-sized dome and sturdy construction that won’t look out of place as your style evolves.

Mid-century-inspired pieces with barn house elements are a good option that tend to work well because they bridge different design styles. The secret is finding interior lighting that feels intentional without overwhelming your existing decor.

Kitchen: Focus on Function

Kitchens need serious task lighting, especially over islands and work areas where you’re doing detailed prep work. This is where pendant lights really shine.

Something like the Inglewood light works beautifully over kitchen islands and peninsulas. At 8 inches, it provides focused light right where you need it most. I’ve seen people use multiple smaller fixtures over longer islands, and the effect is both practical and stylish.

The trick is balancing that modern farmhouse look with serious functionality. You want something that won’t overwhelm your space but can handle the daily demands of a busy kitchen. Being able to customize placement and height makes all the difference in getting the light exactly where you need it.

Bedroom: Subtle and Functional

Bedrooms need interior lighting that can handle reading and getting dressed without being too harsh or overwhelming. Wall-mounted fixtures are often the perfect solution here because they don’t take up precious nightstand space.

Look for sconces with adjustable arms, as they give you flexibility to direct light exactly where you need it. The Hawthorne is a good example of how bedroom sconces can work. With options from a 6″ straight arm up to a 23″ gooseneck, you can position light exactly where you need it.

What I like about wall-mounted bedroom lighting is how you can pair multiples to flank a bed or frame doorways. Even smaller fixtures can make a real impact when placed thoughtfully.

Bathroom: Even, Flattering Light

Bathroom lighting is where people make the most mistakes. You need fixtures that provide good task lighting for grooming without creating harsh shadows.

The Lennox shows how vanity lighting should work. Its two 10″ domes provide even coverage across your mirror area. Look for something with generously sized domes that can handle different vanity widths to get good light distribution without overwhelming smaller bathrooms.

The best vanity lights combine clean, modern lines with warmer materials. This gives you sophisticated interior lighting that works in updated bathrooms but has enough character for more traditional spaces.

Dining Room: Create the Right Mood

Dining rooms are all about creating atmosphere while providing enough light to see your food. Pendant lights over dining tables are classic for good reason.

Bowl-shaped pendants like the Beverly work well because they direct light downward onto your table while the bowl shape softens the overall effect. Look for interior lighting fixtures with interesting details, maybe a brass inlay or unique finish that add warmth and make dinner conversations feel more inviting.

Essentially, find something with modern appeal that doesn’t feel too trendy. You want a fixture that can serve as both functional lighting and a design statement as your style evolves.

Home Office: Bright and Focused

Home offices need good general interior lighting that won’t cause eye strain during long work sessions. Larger pendant fixtures can provide excellent ambient lighting for office spaces.

Something like the Magnolia works well in home offices because of its size and style. It provides broad, even light coverage for larger spaces. Overall, shop fixtures with impressive scale that can serve as both lighting and conversation pieces.

Also, industrial-inspired styles work particularly well because they feel professional without being too corporate, which is perfect for home-based work environments.

Choosing the Right Size and Placement

Getting the proportions right is crucial. For pendant lights, the general rule is 30-36 inches above dining tables, and 36-42 inches above kitchen islands. But every space is different, so don’t be afraid to adjust based on your ceiling height and how the light works in your room.

Wall-mounted fixtures should typically be mounted about 60-66 inches from the floor, but again, adjust based on your specific needs and furniture placement.

Consider the dome size relative to your space. Larger rooms can handle more substantial fixtures, while smaller spaces work better with more modestly sized pieces.

 

Making It Work Together

The beauty of focusing on pendant lights and wall sconces is how well they can work together throughout your home. You might use a bowl pendant over your dining table with wall sconces in the adjacent hallway, or pair smaller kitchen pendants with a statement piece in your nearby living area.

When fixtures share similar design DNA, mixing and matching creates a cohesive look throughout your home without being too matchy-matchy. Each piece has its own personality while working together as part of a larger interior lighting plan.

If you need further guidance, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We are always on standby to attend to your needs!