This is a completely updated post on accent lighting and why it’s important. You need accent lighting to finish your room so that you have a warm, balanced, and welcoming glow. Also, I want to explain a little about lumens versus watts…I know it can be confusing! And I have some gorgeous table lamps rounded up for you to update your living rooms or bedrooms.
Accent Lighting To Finish Your Room
Oftentimes clients with only overhead lighting in their rooms (like with recessed lights or a ceiling light) tell me that it’s enough lighting for reading or conversation. But that can feel cold like an operating room…even with dimmers. 
It’s good to add at least two to three accent/task lamps.
Especially with the darker days that we are having now. Lots of times we see rooms in magazines during the day and they are without accent lamps…but I bet they wouldn’t be as inviting at night.
There was a really bad/cheap ceiling light in our 1920’s rental apartment, which I removed in favor of three accent light sources. There is a small lamp above as you enter the room. In one corner we have this more modern glass cylinder lamp.
And a floor lamp illuminates this corner and the chairs.
Note: there are some affiliate links at no additional charge to you.
Island Pendants
In addition to recessed lights, it’s nice to highlight/define areas with overhead lights as we did in this client’s large kitchen. Hudson Valley Pendants
Wall Sconces For Task Lighting
Wall sconces look great in bathrooms…like this from Rejuvenation that can be placed vertically or horizontally.
And can lighten a countertop as Juliet from Make Mine A Spitzer did here in her kitchen.
Light Bulb Facts: What Lumens Mean
If you’re used to thinking in wattage, you’re not alone. We are using lumens now. Here are some guidelines from Lumens.com to help you. I find this technical stuff a little tedious but it’s important!
“What is a Lumen? What’s the Difference Between it and a Watt? Lighting—it’s all about lumens. But what are lumens, exactly? Lumens is now THE way to find out how bright a lighted bulb or integrated LED lighting fixture is. And if you want a fixture with a bright, luminous personality, it’s the key to choosing the perfect piece for your lighting scheme.
Lumens equals brightness!
And watts do not. They measure energy use, not light output. With new, energy-efficient LED technology, we can no longer rely upon wattage to indicate how bright a bulb is. See how to measure lumens below. ” More information here.
Check out this accent lighting that is new on my radar…
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You may also like 6 Tips For A Casually Polished Living Room.
Hope all is well with you!
Mary Ann
Great Post!! Absolutely amazing.
I love lamps! Especially unique and vintage lamps! There are so many beautiful piece here I am off to check them out! Have a wonderful day!
I couldn’t agree with you more. Accent lamps are a definite priority in all of my rooms and We have dimmer switches on all of our lighting. There’s nothing prettier than walking into a room with that warm natural glow from lamps. I know the new light bulbs are more efficient but I can not give up our incandescent bulbs, we have a stock pile since they are getting harder and harder to find!
I would love to visit your home in the evening, Gail!
THANKS FOR THE LESSON!
I STILL DONOT GET IT BUT HAVE THE ITALIAN FOR THAT!
I REALLY DISLIKE THESE NEW LIGHT BULBS THAT ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT!!!!!
THANK GOODNESS YOU DONOT SEE THE BULBS UNLESS ITS A CHANDELIER…………….
I think they are like Gluten Free bread………getting better by the minute since they first came out!
MARTHA and I SHARED OUR KITCHEN LAMPS LAST NIGHT !!!
FUN FUN FUN!!!
I’m having a hard time with the new bulbs too…but we need to be greener for our earth! I will check out your lamp!
I have admitted for years—decades, really—that I am a lighting addict. I love everything about lamps and ceiling lights. I remember reading years ago the question posed by Grant Gibson, “Can you really have too many lamps?” He was younger then and thought the answer was no. I think he may be backing away from that, but I do enjoy the sentiment. As a lifelong reader I am still enchanted by the golden glow of a reading lamp and how it makes a room come alive. Love the look on Chief’s face. I know he knows just why you have that foot up…and he still feels really bad about that fall. I’m sure of it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
He’s pretty careful with me on stairs now…but I always hold the hand rail now! Happy Thanksgiving.
Mary Ann,
Thank you for always inspiring me with ideas!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.
I look forward to the joy of Christmas month. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Karen.
I love reading your blog. I only have one question, how did you attach your wreath to the mirror? Happy thanksgiving 🧙🏽♀️
I’m going to link to it on Friday…but it’s called a suction cup hook.
Mary Ann! I love your post and I remember sitting opposite of you sharing a beautiful cheese board enjoying the view when I first arrived in SF! Happy Thanksgiving! xo
Mary Ann I love how cozy your home is and I agree totally that lighting makes all the difference! You chose the prettiest things for your place. I just love that photo of you and Chief. I would be there all the tine reading if I had that spot! Thanks for letting me share your pretty office on my post. Have the best time this week with your family! xo
Thanks for the great info – so helpful! I’m trying to sort it all out as we are replacing some dated fixtures. I had stockpiled incandescent bulbs as the CFL bulbs came in (eye roll from my husband). But I do like the newer LED’s – they really do last so much longer. (Your place is just beautiful)
Great ideas as usual! Did I miss a post on the wreath hanger fromAmazon? Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I’m going to link to it on Friday…but it’s called a suction cup hook.
YOU are MY JET SETTER GIRLFRIEND!
ALWAYS ON THE GO with THAT ADORABLE CHIEF…………he must know the TSA STAFF BY NOW!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS with THE FAMILY.SAY HELLO TO THE DESERT FOR ME!Count the CAFTAN sightings!!
AS for lightening I need to pull MY MOTHERS LAMPS out and put them on the KITCHEN TABLE once AGAIN………
I LOVED IT when I did it two years ago and its TIME to repeat THAT PERFORMANCE!
THANKS FOR THE REMINDER!
SAFE TRAVELS,
XX
It’s cold in the desert! People are wearing jackets over their caftans 🙂
Yes…bring your lamps out.