by Christy Heitger-Ewing
Have you ever stepped inside a room that feels off, but you can’t put your finger on why? Chances are the lighting is wrong.
“A lot of people just look at the pretty, but you need to know what you’re illuminating and illuminate it properly,” says Debbie Harrison, Lighting Specialist at Ferguson.
One of the biggest lighting pitfalls is improper sizing and light output. Small pendants over a massive kitchen island look undersized. It is imperative to have the right lighting output in each space for form and function.
Improper lighting choices like the wrong size, color temperature, or layout can ruin an otherwise beautiful design.
To create a well-lit, high-style home, you need layers of lighting, which includes ambient, task, and decorative lighting. Some fixtures and chandeliers are art pieces that aren’t meant to illuminate an entire space. It is important to layer lighting especially when you have a piece like that in a large, dimly lit space. More fixtures fill the room without taking away from the chandelier.
“Lighting is ever evolving and our manufacturer reps make sure that our staff is up to date on all the trends and features.” says Harrison, who equates LED lighting to the evolution of the iPhone in terms of how quickly things become outdated.
Because of this constant evolution, Ferguson changes out lighting displays often. In addition, manufacturers discontinue lighting every six months or so. Every January, Ferguson attends the Dallas Lighting Market to go through all the top trends and new collections.
It’s important to note that all LEDs are not created equal. Color temperature can define a space, and ranges from warm, yellowish tones to cool, bluish hues. The higher the Kelvin value, the cooler and whiter the light appears.
Years ago, residents used light bulbs that were 2700 Kelvin. Then LED came out and people got used to 3000 Kelvin. Now people are moving up to 3500 or 4000 Kelvin, which is a white crisp light.
The color of a space should be considered as well. White light on a dark wood turns it blue, and the wrong color temperature with white cabinets will turn them yellow.
“You have plenty of opportunities to use different color temperatures in one home,” says Harrison. “Maybe you want the bedroom to be a warmer lighting tone then the kitchen for instance.”
Professional lighting consultants consider things that homeowners might not think of, like scale, layering, and integration with smart home automations.
Some homeowners mistakenly assume that Ferguson only sells decorative lighting, but they also sell task and ambient lighting as well.
Just as all LEDs are not created equal. The lumen output can vary from brand to brand as well as some LEDs have a longer life span than others.
Emerging trends for fall 2025 include high tech-integrated lighting and some fixtures double as sculptural and artistic as well as meant for illumination. Warm metals—especially golds—are still strong. Another trend is lighting that looks like jewelry chains and or crystals.
“Lighting is the jewelry of your home, no matter how simple or fancy,” says Harrison. “Your style is how you dress it up.”
Lighting affects everything from mood to functionality and resale value so it’s helpful to consult with a seasoned lighting expert who can guide you when lighting your home. To illuminate your home to be the most flattering way, contact an expert at Ferguson today.
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Ferguson Home
200 S. Rangeline Road
Carmel, Indiana 46032
