Discover the secret to creating rooms that feel warm, inviting, and like a decorator has been there through the power of strategic lighting. Truly, most homes don’t have enough lamps. As the self-proclaimed “Lamp Tramp” I will show you exactly how to bring that cozy, magazine-worthy glow to every corner of your home.
Styling School is in Session. Here’s why you should enroll!
Learn All About Lamps
You will not be surprised to hear the first lesson is all about lamps. It’s still winter which means you’re forced to use your overhead lighting WAY.TOO.MUCH.
Since my home is filled with lamps everywhere, the place I end up feeling most assaulted by harsh, glaring overhead lighting is in restaurants. Do you ever feel this way too?
Most people (well obviously not you so much–you’re reading this post after all) are blissfully oblivious of the need for more lamps in their homes. It’s no wonder that this same oversight often extends to restaurants. After all, the same people who live in homes without lamps (which is most people) also build and design restaurants.
There are many restaurants I will NOT patronize because the lighting is so bad.
If restaurant owners ONLY knew all they needed was fabulous lighting (even if the decor isn’t that good) combined with good food – their restaurants would be full at all times.
No more naked bulbs
I was in a restaurant a couple months ago that happened to have a traditional chandelier (with naked light bulbs) over each table. As I was leaving, I commented on the lighting to the owner who happened to be standing at the entry. He said, “Yes we’ve been looking for better lighting but we can’t find anything.”
6 chandelier shades | 10 Chandelier shades
I replied, ‘This is an easy fix: invest in lampshades for each fixture, and you’ll find guests reluctant to leave.”
Then I pointed out, “Notice how every patron has requested seating in your enclosed patio area? The main dining room sits empty, and there’s a reason for that. The harsh, direct lighting assaults their eyes, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. While guests may not consciously recognize this when they ask to be seated elsewhere, the effect is immediate and visceral.” #truthbomb
My favorite shades to add to chandeliers:
The fascinating part is that most people don’t consciously connect their discomfort to the lighting. If they did, we would all own more lamps – the end! This unconscious reaction to lighting is a powerful force in shaping customer experience and comfort.'”
The simple fix for lighting
There’s a restaurant in Yaletown called the Blue Water Cafe. Wall sconces with white shades—not opaque ones, and yes, there’s a big difference—grace each column, casting a beautiful, soft light all around.
During Terreeia’s 70th birthday dinner at Wally’s Desert Turtle in Palm Desert, I noticed their lighting design. The restaurant features sconces mounted on each column.
While the lampshades would look more elegant in white (which would reduce the need for additional overhead lighting), the designers made a smart choice by adding plastic diffusers to the bottom of each fixture. These diffusers help create soft, flattering lighting throughout the space.
Here’s another restaurant with wonderful lighting. However, it’s really sad how few proprietors actually get it.
What movie set designers know that you don’t…
Have you ever noticed just how many lamps and wall sconces appear in nearly every movie or TV show? In fact, during countless nighttime scenes, you’ll often find an actor positioned near a wall sconce glowing softly behind them.
In fact the only time you’ll see overhead lighting on TV is in hospital shows. Which is exactly the effect your house has at night with all the overhead lights on. It makes me sad when I drive by homes at night and see all the brightly lit rooms in house after house.
That’s exactly why Module 1 of my latest online course is entirely focused on lamps. It’s practically an emergency that everyone you know takes this training! That’s why I made it super affordable, and you can only get it THIS WEEK!
Still don’t believe me? Go ahead and buy 4 lamps with white shades and place one in each corner of your living room. I promise, you’ll instantly be converted. You’ll never want to return to the harsh, overhead lighting that feels more suited for an operating room!
I see you “people with dimmers.” Before you jump into my comments… hear me out. I stayed in a vacation rental last week and while it was beautifully decorated, it had only one lamp in the living room. Their overhead lighting was in fact on a dimmer, BUT it failed to alter the atmosphere.
Are you making these common lighting mistakes?
Beautiful lighting matters more than you think. Let me know in the comments if you’ve said any of the following…
Overhead lighting is overrated
The vacation rental in Palm Desert I just mentioned, was beautifully decorated with every detail considered. However there was only one lamp sitting in the living room.
This proves over and over that lamps have been given a bad rap over the years while shiny new LED recessed lights got happily installed everywhere. This trend needs to go away.
And I know why people often default to adding more overhead lights—it’s easier. Each new fixture means one less light source you have to thoughtfully choose.
But trust me, that shortcut can lead to a space that feels harsh and uninviting. Instead, take the time to curate your lighting. It’s worth it for a space that truly feels like home.”
Need help with you lighting? I’ve got you!
Which is why this course is here at the right time because I’m going to teach you how to choose lamps so you can leave the recessed lighting in the kitchen. Oh and maybe one in your shower after you add sconces to your bathroom mirrors.
Are you convinced yet?
I hope so because your house is about to get a lot more fabulous. It’s the EASIEST makeover you’ll ever do.
You can access this course for FREE inside my community. Plus, you can connect with other like-minded decorators to chat about your home projects. JOIN HERE
You’ll never have to make another design decision alone. Our community members are always ready to offer feedback and help you create a home you’ll love for years to come.
Let me share a quick story: During a one-day makeover at my client services manager’s home, simply updating her throw pillows created such a dramatic transformation that she cancelled her plans to buy a new sofa! That’s the power of knowing how to use color and accessories correctly.
This course has 6 lessons
Do we ever stop decorating? No? Which means there is always a new colour decision to make. Because every design decision is also a colour decision.
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Turn off Your Overhead Lights Forever
Maria, You always have so much information that you share in your wonderful style!! And these short courses in individual modules is genius! My living room is done except for the side tables and LAMPS! Of course I have added lamps after reading your advice (and it is so TRUE)…but buying new lamps is hard…so I will be watching you class before I make my buying decisions!
Super interesting post! Love, love, love a lamp!!!!
Question: If you already have lamps on end tables on either side of a sofa against a wall, would you also install swing wall scones/lamps?
Yes. Lamps. They make a huge different. I have many in every room. I recently went to an airbnb for a girls weekend with a group of friends. The place was beautifully decorated but no lamps. None. The lights they did have were 5000 kelvin daylight bulbs. It was awful in that regard. To make matters worse it was a rainy overcast weekend so there wasn’t sunshine busting through the windows. I get why you travel with lamps when you go away. This happened with the past few places I’ve traveled to actually.
Love your site. I’ve learned so much over the years.
Maria, please discuss the newest “hideous” lighting trend: permanent outdoor holiday lights. They are taking off like wildfire in our area and they are really tragically ugly. Please stop more people from installing them! Waste of money. They are like Swiss cheese lights installed under the eaves of an entire roofline. Shudder.