You’ve just moved into your new place and everything feels perfect. Until you flip the switch and realize… there’s no overhead lighting.
But how, exactly, do you light a room with no overhead lights? Whether you’re in an older home in Los Angeles, a historic rental in San Francisco, or a budget-friendly apartment in Portland, OR, the Redfin team won’t leave you in the dark. Let these tips from experts in the lighting and design industries brighten your day (or living room)—no electrician required.
The three types of lighting
The secret to a well-lit room without overhead fixtures lies in layering your lighting.
“Homes without overhead lighting provide a unique opportunity to create cozy and personalized spaces through layered lighting,” explains Cape Cod renovator and designer Breanna Gilbert. “By using a mix of light sources—such as floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces—you can add depth and ambiance to a room.”
Instead of opting for flat uniformity, Gilbert says, consider varying the heights of your fixtures and combining contrasting styles using the three different types of lighting:
- Ambient lighting: This is your general illumination, providing overall brightness to the room.
- Task lighting: Focused light for specific activities like reading, cooking, or working.
- Accent lighting: Used to highlight art and design or as a decorative piece, adding visual interest and mood.
“Accent lighting can be as simple as wall sconces for a soft, warm glow to the room, or a small table lamp on a kitchen counter or bookshelf that accents a lovely corner or piece of art,” describes home staging expert Leigh Newport.
Renter-friendly lighting hack: Even if you don’t have an outlet available, there are many battery-operated lighting options available, no electrician required. “Battery-operated lights are particularly handy when your furniture is floating in the room,” advises Newport.
