Accent lighting can be a great way to add some extra flair to your home, from highlighting specific pieces of furniture or artwork in your living room to simply creating a nice, cozy atmosphere.

But that's not all. In this post, we will share three simple ways to use accent lighting in your home. We will also provide tips on choosing the right type of light for your needs (with a few examples).

Let's dive in. 

What is accent lighting?

Accent lighting helps highlight specific features in a room. It is typically used in addition to the primary light source and can create a more dramatic or cozy atmosphere. When choosing accent lighting, it is essential to consider the type of light, the intensity, and the placement.

3 ways to use accent lighting

Accent lighting can be used in a variety of ways. Here are three of the most popular ways to use accent lighting in your home:

1. Highlight artwork or furniture

One of the most common ways to use accent lighting is to highlight specific pieces of artwork or furniture. This can be done using spotlights, track lights, or recessed lights. When choosing accent lighting for this purpose, it is crucial to consider the size and placement of the piece you are trying to highlight. 

Are you looking to highlight a painting that hangs above your fireplace? Or are you looking to add some nice light next to your brown leather couch? 

You will also want to make sure that the light is not too intense, as this can cause glare or shadows.

Example:

Let's say you are looking to highlight a piece of mid-century modern artwork that you have hanging in your living room. The proper accent lighting could be a spotlight above the piece or recessed lights to wash the wall with light. Use an art gallery as your inspiration.

2. Create a cozy atmosphere

Another popular way to use accent lighting is to create a more cozy atmosphere in your home with floor lamps, string lights, or candles. When choosing accent lighting for this purpose, it is important to consider the type of light you want. For example, if you are trying to create a cozy atmosphere in your bedroom, you might want to use lamps with soft, diffused light.

Example:

Using table and floor lamps, you can create a cozy atmosphere in your living room. You could also use string lights or candles to add extra warmth to the space.

You can also try energy-saving lights to reduce your carbon footprint and energy bill. A win-win.

3. Illuminate a specific area

Accent lighting can also illuminate a specific area in your home. This is often done in task-oriented areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. When choosing accent lighting for this purpose, you must consider the type of light you need.

For instance, if you are trying to illuminate a work surface in your kitchen, you will want to use a bright, focused light.

Example:

Use accent lighting to illuminate a specific area in your bathroom, such as the vanity or the shower. You could use recessed lights, spotlights, or even LED strips.

Tips for choosing accent lighting

Now that we have covered a few different ways to use accent lighting in your home, here are a few tips to help you choose the right type of light for your needs:

1. Intensity

The intensity is one of the most important things to consider when choosing accent lighting. You will want to ensure that the light is bright enough to highlight the feature you are trying to showcase but not so bright that it causes glare or shadows.

2. Type of light

Another important thing to consider when choosing accent lighting is the type of light. There are many different types of lights available, each with unique benefits. For example, LED lights are very bright and efficient but can be expensive. Incandescent lights are cheaper but not as bright and can sometimes have a strange hue. 

3. Placement

The placement of your accent lighting is also important. You will want to ensure that the light is placed in such a way that it highlights the feature you are trying to showcase. For example, if you are trying to highlight a piece of artwork, you will want to place the light above or below the artwork.

4. Size

Don't forget about size. You will want to ensure that the light is not too big or too small for the space you are trying to illuminate. This is especially important if you are using recessed lights or spotlights.

5. Hire a professional

If you are unsure about which type of accent lighting is right for your home, you may want to hire a professional. A professional can help you choose the right kind of light and placement for your needs. They can also help you install the lights if you are not comfortable doing them yourself. Hiring a professional is a great way to ensure that your accent lighting is installed correctly and looks great.

At Blingle!, they offer a wide variety of accent lighting options: everything from table lamps to floor lamps to string lights. They even have candles that can add some extra warmth to your home. No matter your needs, they will indeed have the perfect accent lighting for you. 

Final thoughts

Now that you know some tips for choosing accent lighting, you can start shopping for the perfect lights for your home. Just remember to consider the intensity, type of light, placement, and size when making your choice. 

With a bit of planning, you can find the perfect accent lighting to showcase your favorite features in your home.