By Maddie Cochran Interiors 21.05.2026

You Don’t Hate Overhead Lighting, You’re Just Doing It Wrong

Lamps aren’t the only way to create perfect lighting in your home.

Okay, dare I say it: has the hatred for The Big Light has gone too far? And don’t get me wrong, I’m not a huge fan either! But we’ve gotten a bit muddled. It’s the single, harsh, cool-toned, flush-mount bulb we hate, not the overhead lighting itself – that we can make a feature.

When ceiling lighting is done well, it can serve as the focal point of the room, a warm hug when you return home. Here are some more ambient ways to go about it.

Do it With A Dimmer

A simple on/off switch is no good. One setting means you’re stuck with the one mood. Installing a dimmer allows you to transition from high-functioning lighting when you need it (if you need it), to something softer and more mellow at the end of the day. You’re now given the option to curate a calmer atmosphere, which is great! Because we all know The Big Light can very quickly kill intimacy.

Know Your Kelvins

Colour temperature in light bulbs is measured by Kelvins (K). It indicates the visual ‘warmth’ or ‘coolness’ emitted by the bulb; not to be confused with brightness, heat, or energy use. Lower Kelvins are associated with that yellow hue, higher Kelvins are more of a clean white, and yes there is a very desirable range you should be shopping per corner of your home:

2000K – 3000K is best for bedrooms and living spaces. (Expect an amber glow.)
3500K – 4000K is best for kitchens, bathrooms, and offices. (Expect a vibrant white light.)
5000K – 6500K is best for reading lights and security lights. (Expect an almost-blue, natural light.)

Keep It Low, Literally

Lighting at a lower height is not only more decorative and cocooning, it’s far more flattering too. Keeping your light just above eye level lets it skim across surfaces in the room instead of shining directly down. Textures present in rugs, furniture, and artwork are enhanced, bringing more depth and emotion to the room. You’re also eliminating any harsh shadows that can form under the eyes, nose, and chin, when The Big Light is on. Your face is illuminated far more evenly and softly from light sources like lamps and sconces that sit so much lower.

Layer, Layer, Layer

You’ll hear a lot of designers rattle off the phrase ‘layered lighting’ and this just means making sure there is more than one source of light in the room: table lamps, plus floor lamps, plus sconces, plus pendants. Or something of this mix. You can bring focused light to areas that need it, which is far more energy-efficient than a blanket fix for the whole room. Not to mention how quickly these lights can become a sculptural yet functional element of the room.