Lighting can make or break a space…
but “good” lighting in a home isn’t just about natural light coming in through the windows; it’s also about creating feeling through layered fixtures that bring ambiance and function. Lighting is one of the first things we consider when designing a home, and in our opinion, it’s just as important as other hard finishes like paint and flooring.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to give your lighting a refresh, finding inspiration is always the best place to start. In this post, we’re sharing our favorite tips on approaching lighting design in every part of the home.
Lighting in the entryway
When it comes to choosing lighting pieces that work together in a home, it’s all about finding a cohesive element that ties each room and selection together. The entryway is often the start of your “lighting story” and where you set the scene for your lighting throughout the home. We love incorporating a statement lamp on a console table to add personality and welcome you with a warm low light.

From our McGee & Co. 2021 Spring Collection

From our McGee & Co. 2021 Summer Catalogue
From our Home on The Ranch
When choosing a lamp for your console table, consider bringing in an interesting material element like marble, plaster, or even glass, that you want to incorporate in your lighting selections throughout your home

From our AZ Homestead Project

From our McGee & Co. 2021 Winter Catalogue
Statement-making table lamps
Lighting in the great room
We like to have multiple lighting levels in the great room to create a cozy ambiance and mood for settling in, kicking our feet up, and enjoying good conversation. While we often start with the overhead light to draw the eye up to the ceiling, sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps bring the space to life, allowing for lighting adjustments based on the time of day occasion.

From our McGee & Co. 2021 Spring Collection

From our Northridge Remodel
From our PC Contemporary Project
Layer in a floor lamp to your great room to add an element of shape, bring in a new level of heigh for dimension, and ensure all of your guests look their best with that warm lamp glow.

From our SM Ranch House

From our Mountainside Retreat Project
Fool-proof floor lamps
Lighting in the kitchen
Lighting in the kitchen is all about merging form and function, and it’s amazing how much of a difference can be made by switching out your lighting in the kitchen. Over-island pendants are often one of the most eye-catching features of the kitchen, and whether you want them to blend into your kitchen design or stand out and make a statement, the possibilities are endless.

From our Pine Brook Home

From our Beckham Project
From our AZ Homestead Project
Not sure where to start in choosing cohesive kitchen lighting? Match your cabinet hardware to one of the materials on your pendants!

From our Rye New York Project

From The Crestview House
Kitchen perfect pendants
Lighting in the dining room
As one of the main focal points of the dining room, lighting can completely change the style and feel of your favorite gathering space.
We love incorporating a chandelier directly above the dining table in both divided and open-concept spaces to introduce a new purpose for the area and add a material element.

From our Northridge Remodel

From The Sunset House
From The McGee Home
While we like to mix up styles, shapes, and forms of lighting throughout a home, choosing a cohesive element between your dining and kitchen lighting like material or shape can help bring the look together.

From The Sunset House

From our Open & Airy Netflix Remodel
Chandeliers for every occasion
Lighting in the bedroom
Lighting in the bedroom is all about creating a mood, and we love layering overhead lighting with sconces and floor and table lamps. When choosing your bedroom lighting, start with your overhead chandelier or pendant, and then select an element, be it material or style, to coordinate your secondary lighting choices.

From our Rye New York Project

From our Northridge Remodel
From our McGee & Co. 2021 Summer Catalogue shot at The McGee Home
We love incorporating sconces above the nightstands as an alternative to the table-side lamp to create a retreat-like atmosphere.

From our PC Contemporary Project

From our Home on The Ranch
Bedside worthy sconces
Lighting in the bathroom
While lighting can be disregarded in the bathroom, it’s crucial in softening and elevating one of the spaces where we spend the most time. Sconces can be a great way to bring contrast to your finishes with a new shape or material, while over-bath pendants bring a luxurious feeling to everyday rituals.

From The Crestview House

From our SM Ranch House
From our McGee & Co. 2020 Winter Catalogue
Looking to mix it up? Round shapes in lighting can help soften the hard lines that bathroom features and finishes often bring through cabinetry and appliances.

From our SM Ranch House

From The McGee Home
Designer favorite bath lighting
Outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting might be slightly different than the lighting throughout the interior of your home, but because it introduces the lighting story for the rest of the space, it should still feel resonant with what’s happening inside.

From The McGee Home
Outdoor lighting inspired by timeless lighting pieces like lanterns and candelabras can go a long way in adding an element of character and charm to your exterior!
Thank you for all the great tips – about to replace lighting in a new house, but want to make sure it is cohesive + flows from room to room. This article is perfect with tips + tricks!