How to Make an Impact with Statement Lighting in Your Home
Statement lighting serves as a focal point as soon as you walk into the room, bringing light to the space and also serving as a design feature or even a work of art. Here, bigger isn’t necessarily better – a small and decorative lamp can also be a statement piece. Read on to explore the many types of statement lighting and find one that complements your style.
How to Achieve Your Desired Statement Lighting Goals
When selecting your statement fixtures, layer them in with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to ensure that your room has adequate and balanced light. Ambient light is the general source of light in the room, often coming from an overhead fixture or can lights recessed into the ceiling. Task lighting ensures that you have enough light where you need it for tasks, such as kitchen lighting that shines on countertops or over a dining room table. Finally, accent lighting can be used to highlight features that you love, from architectural touches such as beamed ceilings or archways, to favorite artwork or a grand piano.
Any of these forms of lighting can be achieved with a fixture that makes a statement. Just think about where you want to create a focal point in the room, and use a statement lighting fixture there to draw the eye.
Much More than Chandeliers
Chandeliers
When you think of making a statement in a room with a light fixture, chandeliers probably come to mind. As the crown jewel of any space, they create an immediate impression and provide general light for visibility. They come in many sizes – from grand to mini – and in styles that range from ornate and traditional to sleek and modern. You can even find a ring chandelier that is more understated in design, but still makes a big statement.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights can be a statement piece, too, making a dramatic impression that will help create the ambiance you’re looking for. Not only do they provide bright illumination in key areas of the room, such as over a kitchen island or dining room table, a statement pendant light will also catch the eye and add elegance to any space.
Wall Lights
Wall-mounted sconces create a pleasant glow and bring important ambient light, enhancing the mood of a room, as well as providing focused light to areas such as bedsides, alongside art, or a reading nook. When you choose sculptural, artful designs, sconces also can serve as statement lighting. Whether you are looking for vintage-inspired sconce or sconces that have a modern and even industrial style, consider their impact on your overall interior design.
Lamps
Don’t forget the power of a great and beautiful lamp! From large and design-forward to petite and precious, these can also be statement fixtures, as they come in a variety of styles to coordinate with your interior design style. When making your selection, start with the style that you’re most comfortable with and then choose lamps that will catch the attention of anyone who enters your home.
LED Lighting
Custom LED installations can create a stunning effect, while taking up very little space and drawing very little energy. For instance, wall grazing is a popular technique because it is an amazing way to use LED lights to enhance textured surfaces. Position these lights close to the wall to force a beam of light to hit the wall at a narrow angle, directed either up toward the ceiling or down toward the floor. This creates shadows that naturally call attention to the wall’s texture.
Choosing the Right Fixture for Your Space
Once upon a time, interior design best practices dictated that statement-making lighting was only appropriate for large rooms. But times change, and today we know that any space can benefit from an eye-catching fixture. Be sure to select designs that complement your home’s decor style, such as modern and minimalist fixtures for contemporary homes and ornate chandeliers for classic interiors.
Smaller Spaces
If you have a smaller room, that doesn’t mean you should be shy about using large statement lighting. The trick is to choose statement lighting with an understated visual weight or even see-through components. For instance, a pendant light with a clear glass globe communicates modern style, but does not overwhelm the space in a small room. A small chandelier can even work in the same way, especially if its design incorporates negative space.
Low Ceilings
While it is true that a large multi-tiered chandelier might not work in a room with a low ceiling, there are other statement lighting options that will function beautifully. The key here is to choose a short chandelier, so it won’t interfere with you walking around the room. Another option is using pendant lights as statement fixtures: they don’t take up as much space, but still make a big impact.
Outdoor Lighting
When thinking about statement lighting, don’t forget the exterior of your home. This is where guests form their first impression of your home, so the light fixtures here are every bit as influential as your front door in setting the tone for your design aesthetic. The front porch is one of the most popular places to incorporate statement lighting, but you can also install ornate and elegant outdoor lanterns, which come in many finishes as well as every style from traditional to Gothic.
Choosing Statement Fixtures That Don’t Overwhelm the Space
Another way to make sure that statement lighting enhances rather than overwhelms a room is by looking at colors and finishes. Choose fixtures with colorful accents or interesting textures, such as glass pendants with vibrant hues or metal fixtures with patinated finishes. Many statement lights feature unexpected materials, for example incorporating crystal to give a sparkling effect. You can even create a lovely ambiance by mixing vintage and modern lighting in the same space, as well as metals that coordinate with each other. If the door and cabinet knobs in your room are brass, then pick at least one of your finishes to coordinate. Some good combinations include brass and antique bronze, brass and polished nickel, or brass and black.
Make the Statement You Want
The design of your statement fixtures should play nicely with the style of the rest of the room and the overall aesthetic of your home. What does the style make you feel? Choose statement lighting that enhances and elevates that feeling:
- Modern Elegance: "This space feels so polished and sophisticated."
- Artistic Expression: "Wow, that lighting is like a piece of modern art."
- Vintage Charm: "I love how nostalgic and refined this lighting makes the room feel."
- Industrial Edge: "This place has such a cool, urban industrial vibe with that lighting."
- Luxurious Opulence: "It feels like I’ve stepped into a high-end luxury boutique."
- Minimalist Simplicity: "This lighting is so clean and minimal, it’s truly calming."
- Eclectic Vibes: "What an intriguing mix of styles, it’s so uniquely you."
- Rustic Warmth: "The warmth and rustic charm of this lighting is undeniably welcoming."
- Cultural Heritage: "The cultural and worldly-wise details in this lighting really tell a story."
- Futuristic Innovation: "This lighting is so innovative, it’s like stepping into the future!"
Getting Started with Statement Lighting
At Visual Comfort, we have many options of statement lights for you to consider – from large and elegant chandeliers to small table lamps that make a big, beautiful impact. Visit visualcomfort.com to browse our many lighting options that can help you incorporate statement lighting into your home.
FAQs
How do I choose the right place for statement lighting in my home?
Consider the size and ceiling height of your room. If you have a smaller room or low ceilings, you may want to choose a statement fixture that is minimalist, with clean lines and a lot of negative space. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to statement lighting! It’s primarily about the effect that you want to create in a room, and using a lighting fixture as a work of art to draw the eye and set the tone.
What size should my statement lighting be?
For smaller rooms, consider fixtures that create drama without overwhelming the space. For lower ceilings, opt for a short chandelier, a ring chandelier, or lovely pendant lights.
Can statement lighting be used effectively in small spaces?
Statement lighting not only can, but should be used in small spaces! The right style of light fixture will serve as a design feature in the room without overpowering the space or making it feel smaller. Be bold in your choices, then step back and watch as your family and house guests comment on the lighting and how it makes them feel.