Interior designers agree that most rooms need furniture you can sink into, art that feels personal, and rugs that tie it all together. But the central lighting debate continues, with many Gen Zers and Millennials arguing that the “big light” is a big problem. You know what we mean. It's that giant LED box in the kitchen you've always wanted to replace, that stunning chandelier in your entryway or, yes, that builder-grade ceiling fan in your guest room. Maybe you have a dimmer connected. Maybe you forbade your family from ever turning it on. Either way, we have them all. And according to Erika Dale, interior design expert at House Digest and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, despite the claims of some, the big light is here to stay, especially now that many have figured out how to incorporate it into a balanced lighting scheme.
“Big statement lights are stunning and have never really gone out of style,” Dale said in an exclusive interview with House Digest. “A great chandelier will always be great!” The big light is better than ever as more and more people realize that they should avoid overloading it with high-wattage bulbs or relying on them as their sole source of light. “People started putting them on dimmers and creating layers of light to create a better mood or atmosphere,” she explained. Although ceiling lighting is an old concept, Dale traced the concept of the “big light” to the invention of the electric light bulb, which in turn led to the popularization of ceiling lights. “In the many years since, designs ranging from ornate chandeliers to sleek recessed lighting have become available as both practical and decorative features in a home.” Rather than coming and going as trends change, the great light evolves in parallel with changing needs, technologies and styles.
With chandeliers you can create a wow factor without overdoing it
“Although the unique 'big light' approach to illuminating a room has been prevalent in decades past, in recent years homeowners are moving away from the often overly bright, single light source and toward a more layered, subtle and balanced lighting scheme consisting of various fixtures,” said Erika Dale during her exclusive interview with House Digest. If you're looking to make a room more interesting, Oversized lights are the obvious choice. But according to Dale, it's the addition of dimmers, which allow for controlled lighting to set the mood, that keeps the “big light” taking center stage in so many homes.
Eye-catching designs are a “big light” approach that interior designers absolutely love, and with many great crystal chandeliers available for under $200, they are an affordable option for many. “Chandeliers are like the jewelry of a room and add a little luxury and glamor to a room,” explained Dale. She added that they can be used anywhere you want to create a strong impact, from an entryway to above a kitchen island, but cautioned against viewing chandeliers as a decorative element and not relying on them as functional task lighting. And there are also places where a chandelier simply won't work. “Rooms with low ceilings may not have the necessary height to accommodate a large chandelier, meaning the incorrectly sized light fixture could detract from the overall aesthetic and size of the room,” said Dale. Because open floor plans may have multiple “big lights” competing for attention, she also recommends using large chandeliers sparingly to ensure a more impactful look.
Add accent and task lighting to make things more interesting
Creating good lighting in every room in your home can be quite a challenge, but Erika Dale shared some tips in her exclusive House Digest interview. “Scale plays a big role in ceiling lighting because anything that is too small or too big will be visually distracting,” she explained. “The ceiling height, the size of any furniture pieces under the light (dining table, kitchen island, etc.), and the general room dimensions are factors in choosing the right size light.”
If you go for the “big light,” you should also plan to keep things multi-level. “Since most statement fixtures are not designed to provide comprehensive ambient lighting unless they are completely blown out by bright bulbs…chandeliers are most successful when they create a sparkling atmosphere,” Dale said. She highly recommended dimmers, calling them “your best friend” no matter what mood you want to create. Dale also recommended layering ambient and task lighting. She suggested features like under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen, vanity lighting in your bathroom, and of course well-placed lamps wherever you like to curl up and read. To keep the lighting completely balanced, Dale also considers adding decorative accent lights, pointing to fireplace chandeliers and art lighting as examples of ways to add plenty of visual interest to the room.