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Livingetc
Livingetc
Maya Glantz

Stop Lighting the Middle of a Room — This Alternative Rule for Lighting 'Edges' Makes Any Space Feel More Expensive

Cozy living room with low lighting around the edge of the room.

It's no secret that the right lighting can make or break a room. But understanding how to light your home is about so much more than simply picking the right fittings. It's an art form, with a whole slew of different techniques and approaches to adopt. And I've just discovered a new technique that's completely changed the way I look at a room.

When explaining how to plan your home's lighting scheme, there is one idea that expert designers will often refer back to. It is, in essence, to light the 'edges', not the 'middle'. This means that rather than focusing the bulk of your lighting in the center of the room, as is traditionally done, you should instead illuminate your space by dotting lighting around the periphery. If you've ever complained of the dreaded 'big light', you'll already be familiar with the benefits of this technique. By cutting out harsh, overhead lighting, you're left with a softer, more diffused effect, making your home feel more welcoming and relaxing.

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