Creative Fixtures for Lighting Small Spaces

Whether you're struggling to light a dim dorm room or brighten up a reading/office niche in your home, it can be quite a challenge. The challenge is compounded if the area currently offers poor or no overhead lighting. It can be difficult to find stylish, practical lighting solutions that don't take up too much room in small spaces - but poorly lit areas can be depressing and difficult to work in. Fortunately, there are great solutions for lighting small spaces that fit every style and budget. There are some things that you should absolutely avoid when lighting small spaces. Standard shaded floor lamps produce limited light and take up too much room. The same goes for standard, shaded desk and side table lamps. Even if your small space offers overhead lighting, there is always more you can do to create the illusion of a larger space - layered lighting is one of the keys to doing this. There are other options that offers superior lighting, and take up less precious room. Below are four great picks for providing great lighting in a little space.

Indirect Lighting Wall Fixtures

Indirect lighting is great for providing an all-over glow or layering with current lighting. Many wall sconces are available which direct light towards the ceiling or floor, instead of directly into the room. One example of upward-facing indirect lighting is the Boulevard Wall Sconce ($95) from Lighting Universe. This tapered 16" sconce is square at the bottom and gradually becomes larger as it nears the top. An example of a floor-facing indirect wall light is the 10" Weathered Bronze Sconce ($93), also available at Lighting Universe. This cute little wall lamp is reminiscent of a Tiffany design, without the price of one. It provides lighting similar to a table lamp, without taking up the space, and directs light towards the floor. Another option, much more difficult to find, is an indirect lighting sconce that directs towards both the ceiling and the floor. An example of this style can also be seen at Lighting Universe, in the unique San Marcos Wall Sconce ($189) which comes in your choice of sixty decorator colors.

Direct Lighting Wall Fixtures

With Direct Lighting Fixtures, the light shines directly out into the room, instead of being shone either up or down. Direct Lighting is less muted than indirect lighting, and there are a great variety of creative styles to choose from when it comes to direct wall lighting. If you're looking for something simple yet stylish, try Universal Lighting's Slender Two-Light Fluorescent Fixture ($122). At nearly 26" long, it provides light across a wider space, but is only 5" wide. Carefully placed chrome bar accents add casual style to this practical light. For something more decorative in nature, try the gilded umber Isabella Two-Light Wall Sconce ($115). This impressive piece is chandelier-like in nature, with two main lights and several crystal accents to scatter the light around the room.

Decorative Lighted Mirrors

Lighted mirrors serve a two-fold purpose - first, the mirror itself makes the small space seem larger (a trick used by many interior decorators). Secondly, lighting near mirrors is genius, as the lighting is doubled by its reflection back into the room. These types of mirrors can range from relatively simple to eccentrically ornate. One of the fancy ones is the large 40" x 30" Sights Of Seville Mirror with Wall Sconce ($324), which uses two small sconce lamps on a large mirror featuring a tortoise shell frame. A more simple (and less expensive) option is the Mystic Series Wall Sconce ($77). This small mirrored wall sconce is only 6 1/2" inches in height, but the small square light is reflected by a larger square mirror behind it.

Multi-Directional Positioned Lighting

When it comes to lighting a small space, these are the multi-tasking fixtures of the room. These fixtures feature two or more independent lights which can be positioned to spread the overall lighting effect throughout the space or accent certain aspects of the room. These fixtures come in many forms, from ceiling lights, to wall sconces, to desk and floor lamps. For simplicity's sake, we'll stick to sconces and lamps, as installing ceiling lights is more time consuming and complicated. One no-frills option for lighting small spaces is the Swedish Modern Two-Light Bullet Fixture ($107), featuring a modern chrome finish and two movable lights. My personal lighting fixture of this type is the Anthony California Floor Lamp ($216), and exotic lamp which starts small at the base and divides into five separate lights.

Whichever method you choose to light your small space, there are several methods that both brighten and provide the illusion of a larger area. So, try these ideas, and turn your niche into a stylishly lit space to be proud of!

Creative Lighting For Small Spaces, obtained June 22, 2008 from:
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