Everyone knows that lights have an important purpose to provide the ability for you to see in the darkness. However, this practical application is only one of the reasons why lighting is so important in your home. The strategic placement of lights can add warmth and coziness while increasing its curb appeal.
1. Diversify a room's lighting
Who says that there only has to be one type of lighting in a room? In nearly all cases, the more lighting there is, the better. In fact, aiming for three distinct light sources per room is a good rule of thumb. For example, if you have only table lamps in your living room, try adding wall sconces or recessed down lights and you'll notice a positive change to your room's coziness.
2. Increase control
Dimmer switches provide you with instant control over how much light is in a room at any given time. You can instantly make a cozy room light up with enough visibility to complete a project or play a family board game. Dimmer switches are also great for having you conserve energy.
3. Cater to specific tasks
While task lighting is often overlooked, it can make the difference between a room feeling cozy and welcoming when you want to read a book, for example. Placing a table lamp beside your bed helps you focus on the task at hand, too.
4. Tackle the corners
Dark corners in a room can make it seem gloomy and unwelcoming. Instead, focus on lighting up those areas in ways that bring attention to them. Installing a warm wall sconce in a dark corner makes it cozy and charming. A tall and portable stand light behind a potted plant sitting in a corner helps highlight the plant and bring more character to the room.
5. Get reflective
Increasing a room's warmth and welcoming quotient means bringing more light into it. While a change in lighting is definitely required to do so, don't overlook the simplicity of using reflective techniques. Use a larger mirror to reflect the light in the room back into it. Or paint a wall -- or the whole room -- in white which is known for reflecting light back into the area.
The above ideas are just a few to get you started. Remember to consult with a professional electrician when adding lights to your home.