Let there be Light

Turn a cramped room into a cozy nook with just the flick of a switch or the twist of a dimmer

By Mary Fons
CTW Features

Image courtesy Studio Italia Design

There are many kind words to describe tiny living spaces: “cozy,” “intimate” and “charming” come to mind. Unfortunately, these small spaces have negative words attached to them, too: “cramped,” “claustrophobic” and most of all, “dark.”

Bringing lovely lighting to a small space can be challenging, but with some creativity and thought, there’s no reason why a tiny room can’t be intimate and well-lit.

Coral Nafie, About.com’s interior decorating expert, says that when it comes to lighting a small space, a good place to start is the corners of the room. “Dark corners can benefit most from correct lighting and can help to expand useable space in a room,” says Nafie. “A ceiling light over a recessed space, a small table lamp on a countertop or cabinet, and under-shelf or under-cabinet lighting creates a work area where before you had just a dark space.”

Understanding what light does (how it reflects, what “hot spots” are, and how different tones affect mood) are all part of Mindy Evans’ job. Evans, who works as a stage manager and lighting designer for various theaters in Chicago, says knowing how light behaves in different forms has helped her light her home. “I am much more aware now of angles and light throw,” she says. “If a lamp is in the corner, [I ask myself] how the light reflected on the opposite walls affects the picture hanging next to it, or how much light it provides for the rest of the room. It’s definitely fun to play with light at home.”

Knowing what doesn’t work is just as essential as understanding what does. “A sharp spotlight’s starkness tends to alienate both the subject and the viewer, and the sharpness of the light defines space,” says Evans, who adds that harsh shadows “can add some interesting shadows on faces.” Says Nafie, “Don’t try to use a large lamp to light a small space. Find fixtures or lamps that are proportional to the space you need to light. Also, don’t use a high-wattage light bulb where a lower wattage would open up the space but retain a bit of ambience for a small space.”

Speaking of light bulbs, those little components of your lighting design have a huge impact on the look of the room. Nafie says that when it comes to having the “right” bulb for a small space, “It really doesn’t matter, if you’re talking about illumination. But what does matter is that you’re able to control the light with a dimmer, either installed on the wall control or on the light cord. With a light dimmer, you’re able to adjust the light to any space or any occasion.”

For the environmentally conscious, there are earth-friendly light bulb options. “If you’re talking about conservation and “green” lighting, you’ll want to find a compact fluorescent light bulb [CFL] that fits your fixture,” says Nafie. “You’ll save money on energy consumption and help the environment at the same time.” Nafie does caution, “Using a dimmer switch with a CFL bulb can shorten the life of the bulb, so choose a special dimming CFL bulb.”

For Evans, it’s easy to light a small space – just add light. “I personally like lots of light, from different angles and areas all over the room,” she says. “In the corner, on the kitchen table, under counter ... it makes everything brighter, no matter how small the area.”

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