Tip No. 1 – Natural Light Makes Everything Bright

Image Credit: Qanvast, Weiken Interior

The presence of light immediately makes a space seem larger. It’s a no brainer. It also gives an inviting and cheerful impression to your guests. There’s simply no other better light source available than natural light. Unfortunately, for small apartments, the presence of natural light may be scarce. This is why it is a MUST to take advantage of every bit of natural light available. 

To enhance the presence of natural light, place a mirror across your windows. The reflection of light will make your space look brighter and airier. You may also install additional mirror on a different wall so light will bounce through from the sun to the two mirrors. Additionally, instead of having your glass frosted, install blinds or curtains to allow passage of light through the glass to your apartment whenever you wish. 

Tip No. 2 – To Make it Count, Use Slim Ceiling Lights

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Eye-catching slim ceiling lights, particularly ceiling mounted slim ceiling lights are highly recommended. Because low ceilings are common in small apartments, interior designers needed to device a strategy to make the room feel less confined. With a slim ceiling lights chandelier, the eye is tricked into believing that the ceiling is elevated. It will also draw the eyes of your visitors up, providing visual interest whether lighted or not. 

It may not be the fairy tale like dangling chandelier you’ve envisioned as a kid, but it can still be your statement light. Just choose the right light that will fit your theme and it may appear elegant or minimalistic, depending on what you’re coming for.  

Tip No. 3 – Track Light as a Life Hack

Image Credit: Renopedia, The Interior Lab – TIL Pte Ltd. 

A lot may have not realized it yet, but track lighting is one of the most effective small apartment lighting techniques. Why? If you know the three most common types of lighting – ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting, then you should grasp that track lights can actually perform two out of three of these effectively. 

As a task light, it provides light for your activities without occupying any surface or floor space. With multiple heads on a track (usually three or four), you can also deliberately direct light towards multiple surfaces. As an accent light, you’re able to highlight what you want whether it is a bookshelf, an artwork, or any display. Simultaneously, you can also direct light towards walls or ceilings. The light will bounce back into the room creating an effect and make the space appear bigger and brighter. Imagine having separate lights for all these. It will definitely take up a lot of space and your lighting will look cluttered. In short, with track lighting, many jobs are done with just one fixture. 

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Many homeowners have been reluctant in using track lights for their homes, particularly since track lighting is usually associated with minimalist and industrial themed homes. If you have a formal or traditional home, you may still install a track light. The trick is to hang a pendant light just beside the track lights to take away the attention from the track and into the pendant light instead. Problem solved!

Get this look: RIKKE Golden Lift Glass Ball Pendant Light

Tip No. 4 – Ensure the Task and Contrast

Image Credit: Qanvast, Hall Interiors

Functionality should always go with aesthetics. In lighting small apartments, all lightings should serve its task, and also mixed and matched for visual purposes. Do you want an overcast and dull space? Definitely not! With uniform lighting alone, boring presence is assured more often than not. You may have served the purpose of providing general lighting for your apartment but it could be unpleasing and bothersome. What you should do is provide contrast to your home by adding wall and floor lamps. 

Functional, check. Aesthetically pleasing, a big check! 

Using floor and wall lamps help in spreading light around the apartment. Floor lamps, for some are not considered for small apartments. Technically, it can make a small space look cluttered. However, if it is incorporated correctly into a space, it can instead be a statement piece while providing powerful illumination to where it is giving light to. For better results, opt for tall floor lamps that have adjustable parts. This will allow you the flexibility to direct light where it is needed. Wall lamps on the other hand enhance brightness all around the room as it can scatter light on the walls. It can also illuminate recesses and dark corners that enclose space. 

Get this look: Ranuuki Scandi Pastel Wall Lamp

With a good mix and match of wall and floor lamps, lighted or not, your small apartment would be a great place to stay in. 

Tip No. 5 – Lighting Color Temperature Makes Better Architecture

Image Credit: Qanvast, D5 Studio Image

It’s been said over and over again- a well lit apartment makes an illusion of a bigger space. With the right color temperature, you can make your apartment look not only bigger, but better. The previous tips were mostly focused on the lighting fixtures. Now it’s time to pick the right light bulb. 

The right light bulb will not only efficiently light your place, but it can also set the tone and mood of your apartment. Most of the time, it doesn’t matter if the color is cool or warm. Basically, as long as your area is well lit, you can achieve the illusion of a bigger space. So when’s the right time to use a cooler light and a warm light? 

The fundamental knowledge is that the lower the number, the more yellow it becomes. The higher the number, the bluer the light output will be. Below are our room per room recommendations on choosing the right color temperature. 

Bedroom

Bedroom is the most intimate space in your home. You’re supposed to feel relax at night when inside your room. Use a warmer color for a soothing mood to reduce anxiety and level your energy. 

Color Temperature Recommended – 2700K to 3000K

If you have a study or work table in your room, provide a table lamp or a wall lamp. This time, light it up with a cooler color temperature to boost your productivity and heighten your energy. A color temperature of 3000 to 5000K will be sufficient. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Fatema Design Studio

Living Room

Generally, the living room is where you relax after a long day at work and the place where you entertain your guests. You would want to achieve a dim and warm setting for a relaxing and inviting mood. A warmer color temperature is recommended. 

Color Temperature Recommended – 2200-3000K

Image Credit: Home Reno Guru, Vegas Interiors

Dining Room 

A dimmer is highly recommended in the dining room. Cooler light will help you, your family, and your guests see what they’re eating better. On the other hand, warmer light are proven to keep appetite up. With flexible lighting system like a dimmer, you can choose what light to use depending on the food. 

Color Temperature Recommended – From 2200 to 4000K 

Image Credit: Home Reno Guru, Design 4 Space

Bathroom

Some recommend warmer light for the bathroom to provide a comforting and tranquil feeling. Contrary, we recommend a cooler and brighter light so you can be energized and start your day for a functional morning routine. If you start your day well, chances are you’ll sustain it until night. 

Color Temperature Recommended – 3000-4000K

You can add multiple lightings and mix warm light too for your late night use. A trend now is to add a pendant light near the sink. It can function as a task light while giving you a visually appealing lighting fixture. And what we see from the projects we have done, it really make a huge world of difference to the easily make the design exciting in an otherwise usually boring bathroom. 

Shop this look: Srokinoo Spice Ball Pendant Lamp

Image Credit: Renonation, The Scientist

Kitchen

The kitchen is a tricky part since kitchens are very versatile. What’s actually important is that you have bright lighting for food preparation and to be able to maneuver around your space. No particular recommendation; depend the color temperature on the color of your walls and furniture. Usually our unofficial recommendation would be, if you cook a lot, go for 4000K-6500K, and if you don’t cook too much, go for 3000K is fine for a more warm and cosy feel. 

Image Credit: Renonation, Space Design Interior

Workspace

Functional lighting is needed in a workspace. For your workspace, keep your lighting cooler and brighter so you’ll be more productive and alert. 

Color Temperature Recommended – 3000-4000k

Other Tips and Recommendations

Here are other tips that you can also use: 

• Recessed Lighting
  • Recessed lights are also a good technique for small apartments. It’s installed in the ceiling, doesn’t take up any additional space, but still get the job done. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, Carpenters

• Illuminate Objects
  • Illuminating walls and objects on the walls can make a small space appear bigger. By focusing light on paintings, paintings, plants, or book shelves, you give the illusion of fading walls which simultaneously makes it bigger for the bare eyes. 

Shop here: Albinin Slim Sheet Arm Wall Lamp 

• String and Hanging Lights
  • String and hanging lights have become a trend in lighting recently. This gives a warm and cheerful touch to your room. Just like pendant lights, these hanging lights create a new dimension to small and architecturally plain spaces. 

Get this here: Aina Web Hanging Lamps

Before reading this article, you might have thought that living in a small home is boring. But after, we hope you’ve been opposed and you now consider the unique challenges that living in a small home brings. These challenges can be overcome with proper knowledge and your own touch of creativity. Consider these tips and make living in a small apartment a huge step forward in your quality of life!