Unpopular Opinion: Use the Big Light

By Erica White

For those of you who know me or have worked with me before, you know I’m all about practicality. 

A year ago, there was a trend influencers would say something along the lines of “I don’t have many rules, but absolutely under no circumstances do we use the big light.” I found these videos to be cheeky, but I actually have a different option about the big light. 

What’s the purpose of ceiling lights if we don’t use them? They can’t just be for ceiling jewelry. 

First off, why so much hate for the big light?

In some spaces, overhead lighting can feel harsh. Many people find that mood and task lighting provide a more welcoming and cozy ambiance. That can often be true, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the big light ever. Additionally, that doesn’t mean we can’t make adjustments to the big light to create a more cozy light. 

There are many places where use overhead lighting without complaint. Chandeliers, flush mounts, can lights, and even ceiling fans, cast a wide light, which can be necessary for function of a space.

Dining room chandeliers, when placed properly, allow you to see others at the table, as well as the food, better and provide ambiance.

Dining Room Chandeliers-Erica White

Dining chandeliers provide mood and functional lighting

Overhead lighting in offices can help greatly with task work. For me, it’s essential for drawing sketches. (The key here is that the light is diffuse so that you don’t have shadows interfering with your work).  

Overhead Lighting-Erica White

Overhead lighting in offices provide functional lighting for tasks

Of course, kitchens have lots of overhead lighting, often a mixture of can lights and pendants. Lighting over kitchen islands helps us see well during food prep.

Pendant Lights-Erica White

Pendant lights provide task lighting above islands

While lighting over kitchen sinks is crucial to being able to clean dishes well (this is also why sinks should be placed in front of windows, but we can’t always reserve dish washing for daylight hours).

Sink Lighting-Erica White

Lighting above sinks is necessary for washing dishes

Not all living room layouts are conducive for mood lighting, while I’ve thought about adding a floor lamp tucked behind one of the sofas in my living room, the addition of this flush mount light gives us much needed illumination for playing games together at the coffee table. By trying out different bulbs, I’ve been able to find the right color temperature and brightness that gives us the lighting we need while still being cozy. 

Living Room Lighting-Erica White

Overhead lighting can be functional and cozy in a living room

So what can you do to make the big light feel less harsh and more cozy?

  • Try different bulbs. A warmer color bulb will be more cozy (just be careful, too warm and things might start to look yellow). A frosted bulb can help diffuse the light, so it’s not as glaring. And a lower wattage bulb will be less bright.
  • Look for a fixture that will diffuse the light, such as one with a shade or frosted glass.
  • Install dimmers so that you can adjust the brightness to your needs

Go ahead and use the big light! It’s there for a reason. And if it feels blinding or too harsh, try some of the tips above. 

*All photographs credit: Erica White

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