Design Dilemma – Coordinating Lighting Throughout Your Home

Coordinating lighting throughout a home can be a little tricky.  When done well the lighting in a home can create a cohesive feel tying everything together and reinforcing your overall design style.  Although there’s a fine line between a cohesive look and one that is overly matchy-matchy.  The key is in finding a good balance.  I typically recommend steering clear of choosing every light fixture for your home from one collection in one store.  Shopping around, choosing fixtures with a similar metal profile and design style will keep each space fresh while making one overall lighting statement throughout a home.

Recently, Andrea wrote in looking for some help in choosing a fixture to hang over the dining area in her open area floor plan.  Open concept homes provide a multitude of lighting options yet since it’s all in the same viewing window creating cohesion while keeping things interesting can become quite the task.

design dilemma

design dilemma

design dilemma

(Let’s all pause to admire Andrea’s gorgeous home…………………I’ve been drooling over her coffered ceiling, floors and kitchen ever since she emailed me. )

In Andrea’s case she loves the lighting she currently has in her space both in the kitchen over the island and the adjoining hallway.  The wiring for a fixture over the dining table is already set, but she’s having trouble choosing a fixture that will coordinate with both the hallway pendants and the kitchen island pendants, which are fairly different.  The hallway pendants and the pendants over the kitchen island have different metal tones yet both fall into a causal, somewhat coastal aesthetic.

My suggestion would be to bring in a chandelier over the dining table that matches the metal tone of the island pendants but flows with the casual, coastal style of the of hallway pendants.  This will marry the kitchen and open dining area creating a nice cohesive look that still compliments the hallway lighting.

lighting design dilemma

(one, two, three)

I think in terms of lighting in an open concept floor plan if all the lighting fits into one aesthetic you can mix and match the metal finishes which can create a bit of a visual break and really help to identify each space as it’s own.  In the same way that rugs create more intimate areas in an open living and dining area, lighting can do the same.

In Andrea’s case since the island pendants are smaller in scale I would bring in something a bit more substantial for over the dining area and let that piece be the star of the show.  Andrea mentioned that she’s not a fan of open bulb lighting, so with option one she could add shades to the bulbs.  Although putting this fixture on a dimmer could also be an easy way to control the brightness of the bare bulbs.

blown glass chandelier

Blown Glass Chandelier

What I really like about both options 1 and 2 is that while they are substantial in size they would not block the view across the room as each style provides an open, airy look.

bella Crystal Chandelier

Crystal Rectangular Chandelier

I think my personal favorite is option three.  I feel like the capiz shell compliments the hallway pendants really well while matching the metal tone of the kitchen island pendants.  It’s a fun option for over her dining table that would bring in a bit of the unexpected yet flow really well with the cozy, casual vibe of her whole space.  And I’ll bet during daylight hours these shells are gorgeous in person!  Plus this is the least expensive of all three options as well!

capiz zigzag chandelier

(Capiz Chandelier)

Either way I don’t think Andrea can go wrong in choosing a fixture if she goes with something that matches the metal tone of the island lights and complements the style of the hallway lights.

All in all coordinating the lighting in your home is a lot like coordinating your jewelry with your outfit.  Everything doesn’t have to match it just needs to mesh well.  If you ever get stuck in choosing a fixture, try creating a picture collage to help you see how it will all work together.  Sometimes you just need to see it on paper…….or all together on a computer screen……..rather than trying to visualize it in your head.  It’s 2016, we may as well let technology do it’s thing.  😉

Which option above would you choose?  Or do have another idea for Andrea?

Thanks so much Andrea for submitting your design dilemma!  Your home is stunningly beautiful, and I can’t wait to see what you choose for over your dining table!

If you’re having trouble with a design related issue in your home and would like some help brainstorming ideas, feel free to submit your query to Carmel@ourfifthhouse.com.  I’d love to help you get your creative juices flowing again!

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  • I think I’d have to go with option 1. We’re just putting finishing touches on our farmhouse remodel, and picking the lighting was so so so difficult!!!

  • I agree with you I like 3 the best! I may have to figure out where to place that light in my home. I love that look!

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