Lighting is an essential part of our daily lives, and making the right lighting choices can transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you are sprucing up your Los Angeles rental, decorating your home in Seattle, or enhancing the ambiance of a New York apartment, one design trick that every interior expert swears by is layered lighting.
Recessed lighting, a hanging pendant, and under-cabinet lights provide lighting depth in this kitchen.
What is layered lighting?
Layered lighting utilizes three types of lighting to create a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional room environment,” explains Anayeli Carrillo at Dkor Interiors in Miami.
Instead of relying on a single overhead fixture, layered lighting combines ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth, dimension, and flexibility to a room. Each layer serves a specific purpose, whether it’s setting the mood, illuminating a workspace, or accentuating architectural details, collectively creating a balanced and beautifully lit space.
The three types of lighting
“We always recommend incorporating different types of light to enhance both comfort and functionality,” Carrillo says. Effective layered lighting involves three types of light that work together harmoniously:
- General lighting: ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting that illuminate the entire space.
- Task lighting: such as desk lamps or under-cabinet lights that provide focused light for specific activities.
- Accent lighting: light sources like wall sconces or LED strips that highlight features and add a decorative touch.
“Task lighting is crucial as it offers focused light for activities like reading, cooking, or grooming,” Carrillo elaborates. “We often recommend placing lamps or wall lights near desks, vanities, kitchen counters, or bedside tables.”
For the final layer, the experts at Dkor Interiors suggest incorporating decorative lighting. “It adds personality, style, and visual interest to the space,” says Carrillo. “A beautiful floor lamp or a unique table lamp can serve as both a decorative accent and a practical light source. Even without overhead lighting, these thoughtful layers can transform a room into a cozy and intentionally designed space. By combining all three layers, we create spaces that are both functional and visually appealing, selecting the right lighting mix based on the requirements of each room.”
Multiple light sources bring warmth and depth to this living room.
Why you should layer your lighting
Integrating layered lighting into your home offers more than just aesthetic benefits. “To be honest, I don’t prefer overhead lighting,” admits Nohea Sentenac, owner of Sentenac House Interiors in Mesa, AZ. “It disrupts your circadian rhythm, making you feel like the sun is always directly above you, which can be disorienting.”
For winding down: “I always recommend layered lighting between the abdomen and just above eye level,” advises Sentenac. “Mixing table lamps, floor lamps, cordless mini lamps, even candles can create a soothing atmosphere.”
Lighting plays a significant role in setting the mood of a space. “Light color (warm vs. cool), light texture (directional vs. diffuse), and light intensity (bright vs. dim) are three fundamental aspects of lighting that can greatly influence the ambiance of a room,” says Jorgelina Lopez, co-owner of lighting design studio La Loupe Design.
Practical application: Opt for light sources with a warm color temperature, ranging from 2700K to 3000K, to establish an inviting and relaxing environment, Lopez recommends.
Practical design tips for layered lighting
While layered lighting sets the mood and tone of your home, the fixtures you select, their placement, and even the type of bulbs used all contribute to the overall aesthetic of a space.
“We love starting with a minimalist floor lamp, particularly one with a curved arm, for its ability to emit a broad, soft glow that instantly warms up a reading nook or cozy corner,” says Lien at Lighting Homei, a light fixture provider. “From there, wall sconces and table lamps positioned at various heights help create depth and ambiance throughout the space.”
Lien emphasizes viewing lighting not just as a necessity but as a design statement that adds character and cohesion. “Subtle differences in shape, material, and placement can turn a dim room into a serene, inviting retreat,” they explain. “With the right combination, you can create a space that feels lived-in, layered, and effortlessly cozy.” Here are some design tips to consider when implementing layered lighting in your home.
Use diffused light
To add depth and visual interest, Lopez suggests focusing on varying textures and intensities of light. “Soft diffuse light defines the brightness of the space, while directional accent lighting creates visual interest through contrast,” she details. “To achieve diffuse light, opt for fixtures or shades that evenly distribute light rather than those with exposed bulbs.”
Nick Ciurej, owner of The Cabin Shack, a cozy cabin decor company, recommends considering table lamps with soft, textured lampshades, such as linen or cotton fabric, which can gently diffuse light across the room, perfect for reading or relaxation.
The lamp shades in this rustic living room provide texture and allow the light to diffuse.
Focus on warmth
Ambient lighting helps set the mood of a room. “Opt for warm, amber-toned bulbs to create an inviting atmosphere rather than daylight bulbs,” Ciurej suggests. “To add a touch of charm, string lights or fairy lights placed on bookshelves or along walls can create a warm, twinkling effect that feels magical and cozy. For smaller spaces or rooms with limited surface area, wall sconces are an excellent solution, especially with dimmable bulbs.”
Sentenac recommends strip lights for areas like under cabinets or above soffits as a great alternative to hardwired solutions. “For outdoor spaces, string lights and solar lights offer convenient, non-permanent solutions,” she advises.
Don’t forget room corners
Strategically placing lights in the corners of a room helps create harmony with everyday items and brings effortless balance, especially when placed on side tables or low furniture, according to Simplini, a light design company. “It’s also a practical move: corners often have nearby outlets, allowing you to avoid messy cords and maintain a clean, modern look,” the team explains.
Other lighting design solutions
Implementing layered lighting in your home may seem overwhelming, but our experts offer tips to help harmonize the space without the need for an interior designer.
“Floor and table lamps can anchor a space with soft ambient light, while wall sconces add vertical interest and balance,” shares the team at Goldman Lumen Lighting Solutions. “Dimmable lights enable you to transition the mood from bright and energizing to calm and relaxing. To create a more inviting and lived-in atmosphere, use warm-toned bulbs and position lights at various heights.”
Tips for layered lighting by room
Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of layered lighting design, it’s time to apply them room by room. Here are some recommendations from our experts.
This color-drenched living room is complemented by warm bulbs and the glow from the off-room bar.
Bedroom lighting
“Creating a cozy, warm room is all about layering light sources and selecting fixtures that enhance the ambiance. In bedrooms, wall sconces are an excellent choice. They can provide soft, diffused light while adding a touch of sophistication to your space. Pairing them with table or floor lamps can create depth and ensure adequate illumination throughout the room.” – Jonathan Schmidt, Lead Product Designer at Lusa Lighting
Children’s room lighting
“For children’s rooms, lighting can be both fun and functional. Consider playful hanging lampshades shaped like sea animals with adjustable brightness to create a calming atmosphere at bedtime. Decorative, whimsical lamps can add fun during playtime and make the room cheerful. Cordless lamps or rechargeable nightlights placed safely within reach help kids feel secure and independent at night, reducing concerns about darkness while being safe and easy to use.” – Vasili Popov, co-founder of Vasili Lights, specializing in lights for children’s rooms
Living room lighting
“For the living room, strategically positioning and combining multiple light sources at varying heights throughout the room will establish balanced and welcoming ambient light while adding versatility. Include a wall lamp with an extended arm for medium-level lighting. A tall floor lamp with a diffused shade in the room’s corners will soften its edges, and multiple table lamps can ensure an even distribution of ambient light.” – Jorgelina Lopez, La Loupe Design
Dining room lighting
“In the dining room, wall-mounted uplights add volume and contribute to an all-encompassing glow that expands the space, while a decorative pendant lamp over the dining table enhances the mood and atmosphere, serving to anchor the space. If overhead lighting isn’t an option, plug-in pendant lights provide a convenient solution without needing electrical wiring. They can be hung with decorative hooks and cord stay accessories for a clean cord running along the wall.” – Jorgelina Lopez, La Loupe Design
Kitchen lighting
“For kitchens, pendant lights over countertops offer both functionality and style, casting focused light where you need it most. Undercabinet lighting is another must-have in the kitchen—it illuminates countertops in a way downlights or pendants just can’t achieve on their own. It can also provide more than enough indirect light to be used on its own later in the day as you begin to wind down. By thoughtfully combining these elements, you can achieve a beautifully lit space that feels warm and welcoming at any time of day.” – Jonathan Schmidt, Lead Product Designer at Lusa Lighting
So how can you incorporate layered lighting into your home? Sierra Walters, graphic designer at The Cozy Home, shares her insights on styling homes and creatively lighting any room.
