6 tips for creating great mood lighting in your home

Wall sconces are a timeless piece of lighting decor to add to your home and are a perfect addition to any living room. Not only do they add an extra element, like colour and texture - they are also a great way to subtly sneak more light into the room.

Some sconces add in different patterns, while others are more modern with a simple glass cover.

Using warm lighting in wall sconces is great for creating ambient lighting near a couch or reading chair. It also provides just enough illumination when watching TV or sipping on some fine wine with your partner.

You can't go wrong with string lights. Adding string lights into a room can make it come alive as a fantastic lighting spectacle. It has that fairytale effect and might even make you feel like you’re in one!

They’re are great for a kid's bedroom or even your teenagers. If you have a sunroom or casual lounge area, string lights are also a great way to add ambient lighting. And, we’ve all seen the wondrous impact they can have on a porch or house exterior.

Some string lights can be plugged in, while others are battery operated. There are also many different shapes and sizes to choose from, so you’ll have no problems finding the right option for the room in question.

The bedside lamp that you choose to go in your room is probably the last thing you'll see every night before bed. Because of that, you’ll want it to be one that’ll send you to sleep in style. With different colours, designs, textures, and shapes, there’s an endless number of options to consider. The stylistic choice is mostly one of preference and trusting your instincts in this respect is a good way to go.

One recommendation that we do make is to try and go for a lamp with variable settings. While you’ll often use your lamp as a night light, you may also need it for overcast days and in the early evening. You may also want it for tasks like reading or just as an extra bit of ambience. A variable dimmer will mean you can adjust it accordingly, allowing you to achieve the right mood you’re after.

They also make great birthday gifts, should you know the lucky person well enough to judge their tastes. As we said in the heading, a great lamp will be a friend for life.

Related article - How to choose a lamp that's perfect for you

If you want to add a practical lighting area into your home while also keeping part of the mood you have created for yourself, LED strip lighting is a very useful technique.

These can be added into many different rooms like the kitchen or the bathroom. Putting them under cabinets, above counters or under floor cabinets can create a nice glow with enough soft illumination to be functional. This creates an incredibly relaxing feeling.

While you may not use these during the day, they are great additions for mood lighting in your home at night.

Chandeliers are great if you are looking for mood lighting that also comes with a decorative element. String lights can dazzle but chandeliers truly sparkle, available in all shapes and sizes.

If you're going for a more traditional look, a glamorous, larger chandelier is probably the way to go. If you want something more modern, there are many unique and expressive chandeliers that you can consider. Either option will draw the eye and grab the attention of all, immediately captivating the crowd and capturing the breath.

Adding floor lamps into your home is one way to add lighting without having to install anything at all. They are even more versatile than table lamps as they don’t require an elevated surface in which to work. Just a tiny bit of floor space and you’re away.

This makes them an extremely versatile option when it comes to mood lighting. You may place it in the far corner of your living room to accentuate its depth. You may use it in conjunction with other lights to create layers of light and texture. You may use it to highlight a plant, sculpture or furnishing.

The possibilities are as vast as your imagination and an easy choice to include as a mood lighting recommendation.

Related article: Unique floor lamps: 14 of Australia's best

Whether you're improving your current home or starting the decorating process of a new home, you’ll be happy you made the effort to add elements of mood lighting. Whether it's a glorious chandelier that will create a feeling of awe and wonder or a warm bedside lamp to ease you to sleep, you’ll find some great benefits to your day-to-day living that will feel priceless.