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Design Details: Quite the Light
20 Ways to Light Up Your Home With Creativity and Surprise
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
It’s no secret that lighting can make or break a room. The secret lies in the many different forms and functions in which we can bring lighting into the room. Too often we fall back on the ever-reliable table lamp or typical overhead pendant light — not that there is anything wrong with these options — but maybe it’s time to think outside the box a little bit.
Consider altering the look for your room with a new spin on your lighting. Here are some photos to get your ideas moving.
Consider altering the look for your room with a new spin on your lighting. Here are some photos to get your ideas moving.
You may not even think to put lighting at your feet, but this fluorescent tube along the bottom of this kitchen island gives this space a contemporary zest. And the blue tint pulls in the view of the water from outside.
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| A fixture itself can completely change how lighting is perceived in a space. Instead of the everyday wall sconce, this funky fixture lends a functional yet ethereal glow that gives this modern bathroom eclectic personality. |
Create a succession of light sources with a series of back-lit lightboxes. Not only does it provide light, but in this case, the display helps camouflage the TV.
by Birdseye Design
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Don’t want to go through the fuss of wiring lighting? Find a piece of furniture that glows. This illuminated onyx table will hold your cocktail and provide enough light for a late-night chat.
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| Who needs paint when you can outfit your room in polycarbonate walls enhanced by colored lighting? What otherwise would have been a fairly typical modern bedroom just on a sophisticated lounge appeal with this neon hue. |
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Consider lighting fixtures that appear more like a work of art than functional lighting for an added sculptural effect. Not only will this fixture become a likely focal point, but each bulb can be angled to light your entire room.
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Pendant lights take on a whole new meaning when rested on top of this carved piece in this fixture. When the light is turned on, it will result in different shapes that will dance across this dining table.
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If you have a large space and don’t want recessed ceiling lights, go big or go home with a fixture that will work just as well, while adding a surprise and sense of fun.
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| If you think a corner is simply a spot to adjoin walls, think again. Sneak in a panel of colored glass and back-light it with LED lighting, and your corner will never be the same again. |
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For a hint of playfulness, outfit your hallway with a series of oversized globe lights. Hang them at different heights so they take on the guise of floating bubbles.
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| Don’t just recess your overhead lighting. Recess it in continuous line that goes from ceiling, down the wall and to the floor. In fact, do it twice, and repeat it on the other side of the room. Then stand back and marvel at its coolness. |
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Here’s another fixture that takes on the look of an artform as much as it does a source of lighting. Its rectangular shape is the perfect complement to the clean, straight lines of this modern kitchen.
| Set your bar a-glow by installing a partition in front of your wall and back-lighting it. Before you know it, your basement will become the coolest bar in town. |
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It’s hard to tear your eyes away from this beautifully constructed stairwell, but once you do, you’ll notice the custom tube light running through the center. If you have winding stairs as stunning as these, light them from top to bottom for a real showcase.
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Don’t have a winding staircase? No worries: Wall-mount fixtures can still put them on display. These tiny light sources feel like twinkling stars along the staircase.
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| Want to create a bathtub worthy of a 5-star hotel? Light it up! All that’s missing from this scene is a glass of wine and a great book. |
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Here are a few unique light fixtures that will definitely make a statement in your home. I love the playful retro feel of this pendant light from Stray Dog.
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This fixture by Philippe Starck takes glassware display to a whole new level. One that hangs in mid-air and lights your dining table, to be exact.
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The Spica Light from Iacoli & McAllister mixes a sculptural presence with the everyday Edison bulb.
by Made in Design
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I bet Andy Warhol would have gladly lit his home with this quirky pendant light created from a Cambell's soup can by Ingo Maurer.
More: Browse more lighting ideas
Ideabook published on July 23, 2011.
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