5 Ways to Improve Your Apartment Lighting

Is choosing lighting for your apartment a big deal?

According to research published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, the more intense the lighting, the greater a person’s negative and positive emotions are.

Yes, lighting is a big deal – as we all want to have a relaxing homely atmosphere when we step through the door.

So how can you make sure your apartment lighting is the best it can be? Read on for 5 illuminating tips!

1. Natural Light

Firstly, you need to make sure you are making the most of the natural lighting you already have. That means your windows need to be kept clean, it’s simple and cheap, yet very effective.

Make sure any trees or bushes, that are planted outside your window, are trimmed and maintained. This will keep the sun shining through your windows throughout the year.

Forget heavy, dark curtains and opt for light, sheer materials to frame your window, without overwhelming it.

2. Decorate Wisely

Stick to a neutral or white color scheme. It’s logical really, the lighter the walls the more light will be reflected.

Also, make sure to choose a matte color scheme. It may seem like glossed paint would create more light, but it actually creates glare in random directions, whereas matte paint reflects light evenly.

Keep your space uncluttered. Too much stuff hanging around creates shadows and dark corners. Keep clutter minimal for a brighter, cleaner look.

3. Light it Up

Lighting fixtures are an awesome way to add a statement piece to your room.

Get rid of any dated yellowish, 70s style lighting, throw out those old dusty lampshades and find a glamorous light fixture to replace it.

There are several unique lighting styles you can go for, retro “Edison” bulbs, classy pendant lights, lanterns, spotlights, downlights, bursting lights or even a traditional chandelier if you have space!

A practical way to add “mood lighting” is to have a dimmer switch. This will allow you to change the brightness according to the time of day, and create the ambiance you’re going for.

Make sure to pick the right size fixture. If it’s too small, it won’t give enough light, if it’s too big it might overpower the room.

Click here for professional lighting design and solutions for your apartment.

4. Brighten with Accessories

Don’t just settle on one main light fixture, accessorize with various lamps and other lighting solutions. For example, dark cupboards, kitchen counters, and shelves can be turned into a beautiful feature when properly lit.

Extra lighting, such as fairy lights, candles, and mason jar lights create a cozy and romantic atmosphere.

Hang plenty of mirrors to double the natural light in your room. A great hack for a dark room is to hang a large mirror directly opposite a window, this will reflect an abundance of light.

Reflective surfaces, such as mirror, glass, metallic or gloss painted furniture, can also help add light. Furniture that is glimmery and bright, will bounce extra light around your room.

5. Pick the Mood

Create the right ambiance for each room. Every room will be different because each room has a different function.

For example, the lighting in your kitchen needs to be a balance between warm, welcoming and also practical. If the lighting is too cozy and warm you won’t be able to see what you’re cooking, but if it’s too clinical and bright, you might feel like it’s more of a hospital than a homely kitchen.

Choosing the Right Apartment Lighting

So step out of the darkness and into the light!

Improving your apartment lighting can be done with just a few simple changes and a pinch of imagination. And as you can see, it doesn’t take a professional to come in and make the changes, you can do most of these things yourself!

For more awesome DIY tips and life hacks, read our blog.