Category: Lighting Design

The latest happenings in lighting design including fixture designs, light bulbs, and how to seamlessly incorporate lighting design into your indoor or outdoor space.

Love with sparklers wedding photo

11 Stunning Photos of Romantic Lighting

Renee Carlson 1 Comment

February 14th, one day among 364 others that demands a little romance. In preparation for this amorous holiday, I present to you 11 tantalizing, captivating and love-inducing photos of delightfully lit spaces that virtually radiate with romantic appeal.

1. A Wedding at Dusk – Exposed antique string lights are a graceful touch above this wedding reception table. Vintage bulbs cast a beautiful, soft light without a harsh glare.

Vintage string lights over wedding reception tables
Vintage string lights over reception tables.

2. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland  – It’s the romantic lighting double whammy. Lie in bed inside these softly lit glass igloos in Kakslauttanen, Finland while you gaze upon the most fascinating light exhibit on earth: the Aurora Borealis. Bam. Read More

Three layers of light

Apply the Rule of 3’s for Perfect Lighting Design

Renee Carlson

The rule of 3’s. They’re the triple threat of lighting design. Three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent. Three levels of design: top, middle & bottom. For today’s blog post I’ve put together a quick reference guide on what the different layers are, along with a few tips on how to use them to pull your space together.

Three Layers of Light: Ambient, Task & Accent

Three layers of light1. Ambient lighting is used primarily for general vision. It is not directed at one particular item or area of the room, but instead uniformly brightens the space. An example would be an overhead dome light. Read More

5 Media Rooms every football fan will drool over

5 Media Rooms Every Football Fan will Drool Over

Renee Carlson

5 Media Rooms every football fan will drool over It’s Superbowl season, which means we’re thinking about football. Whether you are a fan or not, it’s almost impossible to ignore the heated sports radio debates and proudly waving window flags of die-hard fans. To celebrate this (almost) National holiday, I gathered some truly awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, drool-inducing images of how 5 Houzz’ers creatively & effectively used light in some of the most elaborate media rooms we’ve ever seen.

1. I can’t decide… should I melt into the supple leather of these seats, play a quick game of pool, or belly up at the bar to watch the game? Decisions, decisions…

What I love about the lighting design: Colorful cove lighting is perfect for movie & game watching and can be matched to your favorite team. Using a color-changing LED tape light, you can keep it on one color, or program it to automatically change throughout the game. Read More

how to use light to make a small space look big

How to Use Light to Make a Small Space Look Big

Renee Carlson 1 Comment

how to use light to make a small space look big
An increasing number of people are moving towards smaller living. Smaller ecological footprint, smaller spending … smaller home. Whether your reasons for living small are by choice or by necessity, strategically placed lighting can create the illusion of a larger space.

If your room looks more like a closet than a family room, here are a few ways to make the space seem larger without the hassle and expense of a major construction overhaul…

Recessed Lights — In a small room where floor space can be a precious commodity, floor lamps probably won’t make the cut. Large light fixtures hanging from the ceiling can break up the room and make it seem smaller – an advantage in open living areas, but quite the opposite in an already tight space. Low-profile recessed lights solve this problem by creating a clean line of sight that can shine bright for tasks or be dimmed for a family movie night.

Track Lights — Track lights take up much less visual space than traditional fixtures, but can still make a decorative statement in the home. Each individual light on the track can be adjusted to bounce off of walls and ceilings, or lighten up a shadowed corner. When you combine the flexibility of track lighting with the low profile of recessed lighting, every corner of a room is brightly lit without compromising space or style.



Natural Light Sources — Capitalize on every bit of natural light by keeping windows as exposed as possible. Heavy drapes and dark curtains can take away from this valuable light source. Skylights are a wonderful solution to a poorly lit space, but are substantially more expensive when you start involving structural work. A more cost-effective alternative are solar light tubes, sometimes called sun tunnels. The metal tubes capture light at the roof and reflect it into the home. Look at the difference they make in this entryway:



Colors & Accessories — After you’ve put your perfect lighting strategy into place, expand on it with bright colors and artfully placed accessories. A large, strategically positioned mirror makes the space seem wider and longer, and reflects light back into the room. When considering paint choices, Freshome recommends using light blues, greens, light grays and neutrals to create a bright and airy feel.

Putting it all together — Whether your layout is cozy or expansive, having a strategic lighting plan is a crucial part of home design, and coming up with the right one can be daunting. Here are 5 super-helpful resources that can guide you through your lighting project:

dowager countess quote

A Modern Look at Antique Lighting

Renee Carlson

dowager countess quoteSunday’s season première of Downton Abbey showcases the splendor of early 20th century lighting. From the brass candelabras that line the entrance hall to the ornate crystal chandelier that hangs in the drawing room, we’re greeted by elegance and luxury at every turn. A century later, we continue to see the echoes of this noble lifestyle in lighting decor.

In the early 1900’s electricity was still a relatively new concept and limited primarily to the very wealthy. For more than a century gas and oil had been the primary sources of artificial lighting fixtures. Intense heat, risk of combustion & carbon monoxide poisoning were all factors that pushed the modern world to pursue electric lights. Read More

holiday mantles that shine

Holiday Mantles that Shine

Renee Carlson 1 Comment

holiday mantles that shine

Whether shimmering, sparkling or softly glowing, incorporating light into your holiday mantle design is an instant way to add glitz. We have collected some gorgeous examples from Houzz designers where light played a role in creative holiday mantle decor, as well as simple ideas to make your mantle shine.

Quick tips for designing your holiday mantle:

  • Think outside the box (er, mantle) — If you don’t have a fireplace or mantle in your home, recreate the look easily and with just as much glamour using a large shelf or entry table.
  • Go outside! — A quick trip to the back yard can reap huge rewards for your holiday decor. Branches, twigs, holly and pinecones add to a rustic look.
  • Borrow baubles from the tree —  Extend your current theme by taking a handful of ornaments from the tree and scattering them throughout your design.
  • Get crafty – You’d be amazed at what a can of silver or gold spray paint and some glitter will do to make the mantle sparkle.
  • Add light! — Candles, string lights or just the simple glow from the fireplace are the finishing touches that can take your design from “Meh” to “Marvelous.”

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