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Livingetc
Livingetc
Olivia Wolfe

Sorry 'Big Light', but These Alternatives to Overhead Lighting Are the Strategies the Best Designers All Use for Cozy, Well-Illuminated Spaces

Image of a bright dining nook with a large, modern bay window that has a curved, orange bench seat, a round blue table, and two dark teal dining chairs. There are multiple sconce lights on the wall.

Okay, can we all agree that relying on the 'big light' these days is a big no-go? The soft glow you get from lamps creates a warm atmosphere and inviting ambiance that a harsh overhead simply can't replicate. So, whether it's a few table lamps, sconces, or floor lamps, finding the right overhead lighting alternatives will provide the layers needed to create a cozier space.

Lighting a room is best done with variety — an assortment of freestanding fixtures and creative sources to smooth harsh shines and create a custom glow. Like a floor lamp in the corner of your living room to illuminate a reading nook, or even a pendant lighting hanging so low that it acts as a table lamp alternative instead. Getting creative is the key to mastering alternative overhead living plans.

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