Today we’re working on lighting for the Entry + Living Room.
This is one of the fastest ways to change how a space feels without changing the furniture.
The mistake is relying on one overhead fixture to do everything.
Good lighting usually comes from layers. (Overhead light, Table lamps, Floor lamps, Accent lighting.)
And in the Entry, sometimes one well-placed lamp changes the whole mood.
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Start With the Living Room
Think about how the room works during the day versus at night.
During the day, natural light may do most of the work.
At night, you need other sources.
A floor lamp can soften a dark corner.
A table lamp makes a seating area feel more inviting.
A picture light or small accent light can bring attention to art or shelving.
The goal is not to make the room brighter everywhere.
It’s to make the light feel balanced.
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Then Look at the Entry
The Entry often gets overlooked.
It may have one ceiling fixture and nothing else.
But this is the first space you see when you come home.
If you have a console, try adding a lamp.
If the Entry is small, a wall sconce can work beautifully.
If there’s no surface at all, even changing the overhead fixture can make the space feel much more finished.
Lighting is especially useful here because the Entry does not need a lot of furniture to have presence.
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Think in Layers
A simple lighting plan usually includes three types:
Ambient lighting
The general light in the room.
Task lighting
Light for reading, working or anything you actually need to see.
Accent lighting
Light that highlights art, architecture or a specific area.
You do not need all three in every corner.
But your Living Room should usually have more than one source of light.
And your Entry should have at least one source that feels inviting when the overhead light is off.
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Today’s challenge is about figuring out where your room actually needs light — not just adding another lamp.
Paid subscribers get the full 30-Day Room Redesign Challenge with daily assignments, designer guidance and step-by-step help for the Entry + Living Room.
Read the full post on Your Design Guide: https://yourdesignguide.substack.com/p/day-13-lighting-changes-everything
Originally published on Your Design Guide — read and subscribe free: https://yourdesignguide.substack.com/p/day-13-lighting-changes-everything
