Diverse Design: When Mixing Up Your Lighting Makes Sense

I’m reminded of a book that I once read to my children called “It’s OK to Be Different” by Todd Parr. In this colorful board book, the author takes us through a series of scenarios that often plague young and old alike. “It’s okay to be shy,” and “It’s okay to make mistakes,” he writes.  And though (understandably) he didn’t have a page dedicated to lighting, the message remains the same.  Read on for tips on how to successfully merge different layouts, styles & moods in lighting design, and when it really is “OK to be different.”

Break the Rules

Don’t feel the need to keep all of your lawn lights or patio lights perfectly spaced or perfectly matched (unless you’re OCD, because we totally get that…), but experiment with combining similar shapes & finishes within the same style family. When planning your outdoor lighting, avoid the runway effect by staggering your path lights on either side of the walkway.

Living Large

Living & Dining rooms are awesome places to show off your style. Open areas and high ceilings are the perfect canvas for large, interesting light fixtures.

Opposites Attract

Eclectic home design can be described as borrowing a variety of elements from different styles.  Think “Rustic-Modern”, “Contemporary Farm House”, or “Mid-Century Cottage.” The key to eclectic style is that is has no particular style.  This is a perfect scenario where blending styles is totally appropriate.  By integrating different textures, colors, sizes & finishes, you add depth and character to your design.

When has it gone too far?

Honestly, there is no hard and fast rule about how much is too much.  Generally we’d say to be careful not to over-do it in open areas that flow into other rooms (like kitchen/dining/family rooms). Space the lights appropriately and alternate between recessed & pendant lighting. The last thing you want is for your home to look like a lighting store.

The bottom line is that there really is no one way to do lighting, and at the end of the day if it makes you happy, then it’s perfect.  Experiment with your style and create Pinterest boards to develop your look.

Do you find it effortless to incorporate a wide variety of styles into your home design or do you struggle with the need to keep it consistent?  We’d love to hear about it!