Bulky fixtures, few sockets and a lack of ceiling and wall lights can make lighting difficult in any space, but it can be even harder in a compact space.
Lighting is essential for making a small place seem bigger than it is, as well as creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With these ideas, you can add light to your cosy nooks and crannies, your upright loft space and your little bed, shower room or living room cubbyhole:
1. Use low-profile wall and ceiling accessories.
In small spaces, especially those with low ceilings, limit your choice of lamps to slim fixtures that light up without taking up too much space. Low-profile wall and ceiling lights, such as recessed or downlights, track lights, LED panels, wall lights and LED strip lights, are perfect for this as they can provide plenty of light without being too bulky. They also save you having to look for space for floor-level lights.
When used under cornices, cabinets, kicks and furniture, LED strip or rope lights are very effective. These lamps take up very little space and provide superb ambient lighting:
Recessed or downlight lamps have such a low profile that they don’t even encroach on the vertical space of a room. They are perfect for small spaces because of their non-intrusiveness; just make sure you integrate other light sources. If you only use downlight lamps for lighting, you risk creating unpleasant shadows.
LED panels are another alternative to low-profile ceiling lights. These powerful lamps are best used in situations where task lighting is required, such as garages, workbenches and craft rooms.
2. Use ceiling chandeliers, wall sconces and floor lamps to draw attention upwards.
Upright lighting alone can create harsh, unattractive shadows, especially in compact spaces where the number of fixtures you can add is limited. To create a more open environment, use wall lights, as well as floor and table lamps.
Drawing the eye upwards with a stunning ceiling light or pendant lamp in small spaces with lots of vertical space but little surface area is a clever technique for giving the impression of a larger room:
Torchiere floor lamps, often called torch lights or simply floor lamps, are another great technique for drawing the eye upwards and giving the impression of a larger space. These lights are well suited to illuminating small spaces and dark corners that reduce space thanks to their slim profile.
3. Don’t forget dimmers.
Dimmers give you a level of flexibility you wouldn’t otherwise have, whatever the size of the room. This is particularly useful in compact spaces with fewer light fittings, as dimmers can be used to brighten and darken the room instead of turning lights on and off.
4. Consider aesthetics
In a limited space, every element you add needs to be carefully considered. After all, it will take up valuable space and should only be included if it enhances the mood of the room. Slim, unobtrusive lamps and lights are recommended, but if it’s a decorative piece that complements the theme of the room and helps to unify it, don’t hesitate to include a larger lamp.
Consider using bare bulb lamps to provide as much light as possible. In general, these lamps take up relatively little space. Look for bulbs with visual appeal, such as incandescent or LED carbon filament bulbs, coloured bulbs or silver-topped crown mirror bulbs, if your bulbs will be on display.
5. Decorate the room with space in mind.
You have more than just lighting to make your space look bigger. Include some of the following options:
- Mirrors – Place mirrors on the wall to open up a space and give the idea of a larger room, especially directly opposite any windows.
- Paint colour – Using light colours can help make the room appear larger. Choose neutral, white or light pastel colours for the walls, floor and ceiling of your small rooms.
- Colour scheme – Choosing a monochromatic colour scheme is another method of making a room appear larger. Using varied tones of the same colour throughout the room and its textiles helps to better merge the room and its textiles and gives the illusion of a larger space.
- Reduce the amount of furniture and decorative elements in your space to make it less cluttered and more spacious, and choose your wall art carefully. A large number of small pieces, as well as bright or large rooms, should be avoided. Instead, try to stick to one or two medium-sized works of art.
- Reduce furniture – As well as reducing the amount of furniture in the space, you should also reduce the size of the rooms. Instead of a large sofa, use a small loveseat.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to properly light a small room when you have limited space. There are a number of ways to light even the smallest area of your home, whether to create the illusion of a larger room or to embrace the tiny and create a cosy space:
Use ceiling lights and high floor lamps to draw attention upwards.
Use wall and top lighting.
Provide dimmer switches.
Consider the aesthetics of the lamp.