3 min readJust as candlelight is notoriously flattering on people, so is mood lighting on a home. Improving your home's ambient light is one small change that instantly elevates every piece of furniture and decor you own. With the right lighting, a set of bargain drapes can look custom, and a reproduction print can pass for an original oil painting.
There are several ways to fine-tune the mood lighting in your home that cost less than the price of takeout for two. Here, three designers share ways to improve lighting throughout your entire home for right around $50.
In the Kitchen: Uplighting on Cabinets and Shelving
When coming up with a layered kitchen lighting plan, most people think of adding under-the-cabinet lighting first. But according to designer Brittny Button of Button Atelier, uplighting on cabinets is an even chicer alternative.
"Uplighting on cabinets helps to spotlight the objects on the shelves, creating a kind of gallery effect," she says. "Especially with open shelving, this generates a kind of focal point and is an added light source."
This lighting hack works especially great in kitchens with white ceilings because the light will bounce off of it. And the best part is that basic lighting kits start around $30. Alternatively, you can also add picture lights above shelves for a layered and more dramatic look.
In the Living Room: Picture Lighting
Table and floor lamps are obvious choices when it comes to adding more mood lighting to your living room, but designer Jenn McCoy likes taking a more creative approach.
"One of my favorite affordable upgrades that instantly elevates a space is adding picture lights," she says. "It’s a relatively inexpensive detail, but the impact is significant. They add a warm layer of ambient lighting, which enhances the overall atmosphere."
You can hang picture lights above any piece of artwork that you want to draw more attention to, but McCoy specifically likes hanging them above bookcases. Look for battery-operated versions to avoid unsightly cords or the need for calling an electrician.
In the Bedroom: Dimmer Switches
Overhead lighting gets a bad reputation in the design world, and some people avoid turning on "the big light" at all. In reality, it's not that all overhead lighting is inherently useless or an instant mood-killer; it's that overhead lighting is usually too bright. That's exactly why Button always suggests adding a dimmer switch in bedrooms.
"Adding dimmer switches allows for different kinds of lighting throughout the day," she says. "Adjusting to an ambient light for the evening creates a calm setting before bed. This is especially helpful with recessed lighting. The optionality to choose the brightness level is a factor that feels luxurious."
Installing dimmer switches is a beginner-level DIY project, and you can pick up everything you need at the hardware store for right around $30. This lighting upgrade will also go a long way when it comes to dining rooms and living rooms.
In a Dark Hallway: Mirrors
Lighting a hallway is tricky. Unless you have hardwired sconces, the most convenient way to illuminate these transition spaces is by relying solely on overhead lighting. Alexandra Eisman, the principal interior designer at Eisman Home, has a genius workaround for this issue: hanging a mirror.
"Mirrors help reflect light and open up the space," she says. "Recently, I found a mirror at a local antique market for a steal at $60, and it completely transformed a dark hallway."
The key is to hang the mirror strategically by placing it in a spot that will reflect any natural light available and also any overhead lighting. The result will be a glow that spills throughout the entire hallway without the need for flipping any additional switches.
