By the middle of October, the light is gone before dinner is on the table, and a living room that glowed all summer can suddenly feel flat. Nine times out of ten, the fix is the lighting.
When I walk into a home this time of year, the first thing I notice is if all the light comes from the ceiling. Overhead light on its own makes a room feel like a doctor’s office, and nobody looks good in it. Layered lighting is warmer and a lot more fun, and it matters most in the winter months, when none of us are quite as tan as we were in August.
Start with dimmers
Every fixture should be on a dimmer. It’s the simplest change with the biggest return. A dimmer lets the same chandelier work for a bright Saturday lunch and a quiet dinner at seven. Walk through the house and find the fixtures that don’t have one. Those are usually the ones making a room feel harsh after dark.
Light at every height
A room that works at noon and at five has light coming from several levels. I think about it from the ceiling down:
• Overhead fixtures for general light, always on a dimmer.
• Sconces to wash the walls and frame a fireplace, a mirror, artwork or a bed.
• Table lamps beside sofas and chairs, so every seat has its own pool of light.
• Floor lamps for the corners the overheads never reach.
• Picture lights over artwork, for a glow that reads beautifully once the sun goes down.
• Uplights behind plants, and step lights along stairs and paths.
Light from one level reads flat. Light from three or four works the way layered fabrics and finishes do, and the eye keeps moving around the room.
In kitchens, we often add lighting under the island and the upper cabinets. You barely notice it during the day, and at night it makes the whole space feel finished.
Once every height is covered, no single source has to do all the work. At noon you might only need the lamps by the window. By five, bring up the sconces and picture lights, lower the overheads, and the room holds its warmth.
