How To Improve the Lighting In Your Home

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Looking to improve the lighting in your home without breaking the bank? Look no further than accent lighting! It’s the quickest, simplest, and most budget-friendly way to elevate your home’s lighting game.

Whether you’re sprucing up your living room, bedroom, or kitchen, there’s an accent lighting solution for every corner of your home.

And the best part? You can easily find these options at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Wayfair, all for under fifty dollars.

In this post, we’ll dive into the world of accent lighting, exploring the different options available and how you can use them to enhance the ambiance of your home.

Ready to shed some light on your space? Let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

How to Improve the Accent Lighting in Your Home

1. Night-lights

Let’s talk about night lights – not the cute character ones, but practical dusk-to-dawn lights that add a gentle glow and cozy vibe to your home.

I strategically place them in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and hallways leading to the bedroom and bathrooms.

They create a soft, comforting trail of light at night.

My favorites are from Vont (discontinued), but similar options are available from other brands.

Just plug them in, and they automatically illuminate when it gets dark, enhancing both functionality and ambiance.

It’s an easy, budget-friendly way to upgrade your lighting and create a welcoming atmosphere in your home.

2. Under Cabinet Lights & Shelf Lighting

Enhance your kitchen with under-cabinet and shelf lighting – two great options to brighten and beautify your space.

Choose between circular Puck lighting or long rectangular bar lights, which can be hardwired or battery-operated for convenience.

I prefer the latter for its ease of use and versatility, with features like timers and dimming settings. Best of all, I got a pack of six for under twenty dollars!

These lights have transformed my kitchen into a cozy haven, allowing me to move freely at night without harsh overhead lights.

Consider adding under-cabinet and shelf lighting to boost both functionality and ambiance in your kitchen.

Read: Review: Starxing Battery Operated Under Cabinet Lighting

3. Task Lamps

A popular accent lighting trend is to add task lamps in living rooms and seating areas. Traditionally limited to desktops, task lamps now come in floor lamp versions and are gaining popularity online.

One standout is the brass pharmacy task lamp, beloved on Pinterest and YouTube. Its sleek adjustable design fits snugly beside chairs or sofas, providing focused light for reading, watching TV, or playing games.

Unlike traditional floor lamps, the brass pharmacy lamp targets specific zones, creating a cozy ambiance without overwhelming the room with light. It’s the perfect blend of functionality and style for your living space!

4. Mini Spotlights

Illuminate your décor with spotlights – perfect for showcasing your favorite pieces! Whether it’s an artificial tree, a collection, or wall art, spotlights draw attention to special features, adding depth and drama to your space.

Budget-friendly and versatile, spotlights offer various light settings to suit your needs. Sold in packs of two, they range from sixteen to twenty-five dollars. Add a touch of spotlight magic to your home without breaking the bank!

5. Picture Lights

Illuminate your artwork with picture lighting! Mounted on the wall, these lights add elegance to your space by shining directly onto your chosen piece.

While they may come at a slightly higher price point and typically in packs of one, ranging from twenty-five to forty dollars each, they’re a worthwhile investment for adding sparkle to your home décor!

6. Mini Lamps, Candles, and Diffusers

Mini lamps, candle lamps, essential oil diffusers, and candles are fantastic options for adding accent lighting to your tabletop or countertop.

These choices provide a soft glow that enhances the ambiance without overwhelming the space. Battery-operated candles, in particular, offer convenience and safety, as they can be set on a schedule without the worry of becoming a fire hazard.

Available in various shapes and sizes, from small tea lights to large pillar candles, there’s something to suit every preference. Additionally, many candle lamps also feature timer settings for added convenience.

7. Behind the TV LED Lighting

For a theater-like atmosphere in your living room, consider LED light strips behind your TV. These strips are easy to use – simply peel off the adhesive backing and stick them along the back perimeter of your television. They can be cut to size as needed.

Controlled by remote or app, these LED light strips offer a spectrum of colors and can even transition between colors in different patterns. It’s a fun way to add accent lighting to your wall, especially at night.

LED light strips for the back of your TV are quite affordable, with a roll of stripping to fit a 45-75 inch television costing under ten dollars.

8. String Lights, Lanterns, Curtain Lights

Illuminate your backyard, patio, or front porch with string lights, hanging lanterns, and curtain lights – my go-to accent lighting choices for outdoor spaces.

One of my personal favorites is curtain lights, which I installed along the brick walls of my covered patio last year. They create a warm and inviting atmosphere, illuminating and defining the space as a cozy nook perfect for relaxing outdoors.

My curtain lights are voice-controlled by Alexa, making them a convenient and fully automated accent lighting option. They come on at a set time each evening and automatically turn off around bedtime – truly a “set it and forget it” solution!

For those interested in setting up curtain lights or exploring other outdoor lighting options, I’ve detailed my setup in a post, which you can find here.

Additionally, string lights, hanging lanterns, and floor lanterns are excellent choices for outdoor lighting. Opting for solar-powered options can eliminate the need for running cords outside, adding convenience and sustainability to your outdoor lighting setup.

Read: The Best Outdoor Curtain Lights

9. Fence Lights, Deck Lights, Stairs, and Garden Lights

Lastly, let’s explore fence lights, deck lights, and garden lights – perfect for adding charm and safety to your outdoor space.

Small solar lights are great for illuminating garden beds, shrubs, and pathways. While they range in price, investing a bit more (around fifteen to fifty dollars for a well-rated set on Amazon) ensures durability and longevity.

Fence lights, deck lights, and outdoor stair lights offer additional accent lighting options. I have a few fence lights positioned on the corners of my backyard flower beds, providing ample illumination without overwhelming the space.

However, it’s important to be cautious with brightness levels – I learned this the hard way when I initially installed too many lights, resulting in an overly bright backyard. Adjusting the number of lights and their positioning can help strike the perfect balance.

These lights can also be used along deck railings or outdoor stairs, offering both adhesive and screw-in mounting options for easy installation. I found a set of ten fence lights for around fifty dollars (on sale), providing both functionality and style to my outdoor space.

Conclusion

That’s it for this post. Use a few of these accent lighting options to start improving the overall lighting in your home. They’re fast and easy to set up and the most affordable lighting options for your home.

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