Would you prefer to have light emanating from seemingly nowhere? Look into lighting that can fit in hidden corners and underneath tables and beds! The Philips Hue collection has a great floor lamp that can hide in plain sight and high-quality strip lighting in various lengths. If you’re strapped for cash, those previously mentioned strip lights can be used, but please don’t just put them up on your wall. Instead, if you put them in hidden places like the undersides of tables you can make your lighting setup look that much more high quality. These lighting alternatives also have the benefit of being multicolored, so you can have a different light for every mood.
What about making a statement? Unique lighting can be an art piece all by itself if you know where to look. Take, for example, this classic banker’s lamp, or this sculptural Guard lamp made of paper. Are you a book lover? Display your unfinished books with this understated yet effective book rest lamp. Neon signs are also great conversation starters that you can find in a variety of styles and price points. Etsy is a good place to find Have you ever turned on your overhead lighting only to be assaulted with a sallow yellow hue that turns every photo-op into a living nightmare? Whether you’re decorating a dorm room or an off-campus apartment, I’ll be the first to tell you that mood lighting is your new best friend. We all know about that particular strand of cheap-looking wall lights that went viral on TikTok last year, and while we’re on the right track, it’s time to up our game when it comes to ambient lighting.
If you need cheap options, look no further than Ikea. There are whimsical options like this cloud wall lamp or this multicolored pencil table lamp, but there are also more straightforward choices like the Nävlinge or the Lampan. Ikea does tend to have more minimalist lighting, so if you want something fun yet unobtrusive this would be your best bet.
Target has great floor lamp options that are elegant and add a lot of light to a room if you have limited space. Some bestsellers are the Cantilever floor lamp and the Globe lamp. A personal favorite is this mid-century modern lamp for multiple points of light. For those who prefer metal hardware on their lamps, Target is also a perfect place to start.
statement pieces from extremely talented artists; plus, you’ll be supporting a small business!
If all else fails, string lights are also a viable option to provide a twinkling display on your walls. You can go simple with fairy lights or a collection of lightbulbs, but steer clear of outdoor string lights with green cording that will distract from the lighting. With string lights, you want a white or clear string that will blend in with the wall to make the light the only thing your eyes are drawn to.
There are so many more lighting choices to be found at various price points that suit every room aesthetic out there, so I definitely missed some amazing pieces. Thrifting and scouting for antique pieces are also great options but are obviously more difficult to find. But that’s where shopping in person comes in! Plus, going to see what a light looks like in person can help you keep your lighting setup in the same tone throughout your entire room. Just remember: overhead bad, ambient good. Happy decorating!