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Expertly crafted lighting is one of those things that seems easy and looks effortless, but the more you dig into it, the more you realize that there really is an art and a lot of thought that goes into truly great lighting installations.

Here at SunLake, we talk to the experts. We know their challenges and their triumphs and we make products to make things as easy as possible to get the best results out of your lighting every time. Part of our goal with this blog is to distill down all the information and knowledge we have about LEDs and lighting in general so you get the benefit of professional experience without having to be a professional yourself. To that end, we’ve distilled down a ton of our knowledge into a few key tips that will hopefully give you the confidence you need to tackle your next lighting project.

Layer up

We can’t stress this enough: layered lighting is the key to a well-lit space. Make sure you’re accounting for ambient, task, decorative, and accent lighting in every room. Far too often people install ambient or general lighting and think their work is done. Far from it! Unless it’s a closet, one light installed at or near the ceiling isn’t enough for any room. Layer those lights and vary the kinds of lighting you’re using and you’ll already be well on your way to getting the most out of your space.

Playing with scale

As we discussed in a recent article, oversized lamps and large, interesting fixtures are making a comeback. Chandeliers, which for years were eschewed in favor of sleeker, more modern fixtures are now featured in nearly every room of the house including bedrooms, bathrooms, and even kitchens. While playing with scale can be fun and produce exceptional results, unless you’re trying to make a statement with a feature fixture, consider that lights should, in general, be the appropriate size for the room they’re in. Lamps that are too small will get lost in a grand room with high ceilings and multiple fixtures that are too large will overwhelm a space, especially if it’s a space with already low ceilings.

Pick a focal point

Part of playing with scale is picking a focal point for your room. Not all fixtures should be the same size. Your fixtures (chandeliers, lamps, sconces, etc.) should vary in size in order to create a visual focal point. Just as with furniture or art, lighting can be an important part of your overall design and sensibility. In a large or mid-sized room a large chandelier or other ceiling fixture could be your feature fixture, whereas in a smaller room where there isn’t room enough for an ostentatious chandelier, a striking floor lamp or interesting sconces flanking a piece of art would be a better choice.

Switches, circuits, and dimmers

It’s all about control. Controlling your lights and creating lighting zones is crucial to being able to use your space effectively as well as saving money in the process. Zones can control task and ambient light separately and dimmers ensure you’re getting exactly the amount of light you want for each area of every room. Varying the light using dimmer switches is a great way to add depth to any room.

The vast majority of SunLake’s bulbs and recessed downlights are dimmable, durable, long lasting, and very energy efficient. All of SunLake’s products also come with an industry-leading 10-year warranty. Click here for SunLake’s complete and ever-expanding catalog of high quality LED lights.