Lighting is an important part of styling a room. It can help contribute to the overall look and feel of the room you’re trying to create. It’s also helpful for setting the tone, like creating a cozy, welcoming feel. When we bought our first home in Virginia, I was finally able to play around with changing out light fixtures (I’d only been in rentals prior to that, which I didn’t feel like messing with). It was amazing to me how much swapping out a light fixture could change a room! Our townhouse has been built in the early 90’s with light fixtures to show for it. We ended up changing out nearly every single one to create the more modern, simple look we liked and it was amazing how much of an impact that had! Upon moving into this home in Raleigh, I knew I would want to swap out some of the builder-grade materials for fixtures that fit our style better. There are still a few rooms that I haven’t changed yet, but here’s a review of the lighting choices I have made for our home.
The Entryway
I love the sleek and modern look of this flush mount pendant we have in here. Our entryway isn’t huge, so I didn’t want to have a chandelier or standard pendant light that cut into the overhead space in the area. This one adds just the right amount of diffused light and fills the space just right!
My Light: Conical 24″ Semi-Flush Fixture from Rejuvenation (Get Similar Here on Amazon)
More Entryway Lighting Options:
The Kitchen
This pendant over the island was already here when we purchased our house, so we didn’t pick it out. I like it a lot! It fills the space appropriately and has the clean, modern lines that I tend to go for.
My Light: Perryton Hanging Island Chandelier from Sea Gull Lighting
More Island Lighting Options
There is nothing better than lamp light. There, I said it. I would take lamp light over overhead lights every day. A lamp, especially in the kitchen, just creates such a cozy and inviting vibe. I turn this lamp on nearly every day in the mornings, so that we can get some light without the harshness of the cans.
My Light: Montreal Wren Table Lamp from Target
More Kitchen Lamp Options
The Dining Room
I love this chandelier in the dining room! I wanted something modern and simple, since that’s the vibe of this space. It goes well with the other lighting that I have chosen for adjacent spaces on our first floor.
My Light: Elijah 5 Chandelier from Wayfair
More Dining Room Lighting Options
My Light: Old but Similar Options Linked Below
More Dining Room Lamp Options
My Office
My office is a little more “glam” than the rest of our home. I wanted to create a space that inspired creativity, but was calming and very much my style. This pendant is so beautiful whether it’s turned on or off. It’s like a piece of art!
My Light: Luna Capiz Pendant Light from CB2
More Office Lighting Options
My Light: Metal Tripod Floor Lamp by Studio McGee
More Office Floor Lamp Options
The Living Room
We still have the original fan light as the main overhead fixture in this room, which we’ve had on our list to change or about 2 years! I just can’t decide what I want to put up there. In the meantime, we utilize a lot of lamp light because lamps are superior.
My Lights: Ceramic Lamp from Target
More Living Room Lamp Options
The Porch
Our porch is one of my favorite spaces in our entire home – it’s something I dreamed of having one day! Mike hung the globe lights along the ceiling, which add that fun outdoor lighting feel. I added a lamp to the side table to create some extra atmosphere to the space. Plus a lamp outside is maybe even more cozy than a lamp inside!
My Lights: Ceramic Table Lamp from Target and Outdoor Bulb Lights
More Outdoor Lamp Options
Our Bedroom
This chandelier is a showstopper. It is *stunning*. I waited for it to go on sale before buying, but it is truly worth it, IMO. We have a pretty large bedroom, so it helps to anchor the room and create a focal point. It fills some of the headspace nicely and adds a good amount of light to the room!
My Light: Fairmont Chandelier from Serena & Lily
More Bedroom Chandelier Options
My Light: Old but Similar Options Linked Below
Other Bedroom Lamp Options
The Playroom
Another pendant that I love! I was originally looking at more modern, breakable options for the playroom before realizing I needed something durable. This one doesn’t add a ton of light, but this room gets a lot of natural light. It does help to anchor the space and creates the overall vibe and feel of the room that I was going for!
My Lights: Headlands Bell Pendant from Serena & Lily and Gold Floor Lamp
More Playroom Pendant Lighting Options
More Playroom Floor Lamp Options
Some images included by Whitney Gremaud.