How I use lighting as a secret tool to create a stunning home mood that feels bigger, warmer and luxurious.
What if the Right Light Could Transform Your Entire Home?
Lighting is often the most overlooked element in interior design, yet it has the power to shape the mood, highlight architectural beauty, and even make a space feel more expansive. I’ve seen rooms go from flat to breathtaking with the right illumination; and that’s why I approach lighting as an art form, not an afterthought.
Layering light: the secret to depth and warmth
One of the biggest mistakes I see is relying on a single overhead light. It washes out a space, leaving it cold and lifeless. Instead, I create layers: ambient lighting for overall illumination, task lighting for functionality, and accent lighting to draw attention to design details.
For a recent client’s Upper East Side townhouse, we used recessed lights with dimmers for flexibility, sculptural sconces to create warmth and LED strips to emphasize a stunning coffered ceiling. The result? A home that felt intimate yet grand, inviting yet dramatic.
Creating drama: the power of shadows and highlights
Great lighting isn’t just about brightness, it’s about contrast. By playing with light and shadow, I can add depth and intrigue to a space.
Take a project I worked on in Tribeca. The client wanted their living room to feel cinematic yet cozy. We used strategically placed uplights to accentuate the texture of a stone wall, pendant lights over the seating area to create intimacy, and a statement chandelier that cast mesmerizing shadows across the ceiling. The room transformed into a sculptural masterpiece by night.
Showcasing key features with precision
Lighting can act as an invisible guide, leading the eye to the most beautiful elements of a room. In a Brooklyn brownstone I designed, the client had an art collection that deserved to shine, literally. We installed gallery-style track lighting with adjustable heads to spotlight each piece perfectly, bringing out the depth and richness of every brushstroke.
Even beyond artwork, well-placed lighting can highlight luxurious finishes, architectural details, or even a stunning piece of furniture. It’s about curating what you want people to notice first.
Ready to see your home in a new light?
Lighting is not just about visibility; it’s about experience. Whether you want to create an inviting atmosphere, highlight your home’s best features, or add a touch of luxury, the right lighting design makes all the difference.
If you’re ready to transform your home with expert lighting design, let’s talk. Book a consultation today here!
Written by Carole Vaudable, interior designer
Bathroom proposal designed by Carole Vaudable Interior Design.