5 Lighting Tips to Transform Your Child’s Space
Designing a lighting plan is more than just choosing a sparkling chandelier and trendy floor lamp (although that is the best part). It’s about creating a safe space that can set the mood and grow with your child.
When you choose your lighting, think long-term. Your nursery will go from a quiet, restful sanctuary to a busy toddler playroom faster than you think. Your nursery’s lighting needs will also change, so planning ahead can save you time and money in the future.
Today, I’m dishing my top 5 tips for transforming your nursery with lighting. Let’s get started!
A nursery or playroom should be comfortable for you, fun for your little one, and easily transitionable as your child grows.
Tip 1: Layer Your Lighting
When creating your lighting plan, there are three layers you will want to build into the room: ambient, task, and accent lighting.
1. Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting is the overhead illumination in your space and the first layer to nail down. Examples of ambient lighting can include recessed lighting (also called “can lights”) and a chandelier or pendant. Both of these provide great overall light for visibility.
If you don’t have recessed can lights, adding them can be relatively easy for a skilled electrician. I also suggest adding dimmers to your ambient lighting. It’s a great way to manage your room’s light intensity, which may change based on the time of day or activity in the room.
2. Task lighting
Next is task lighting, which is a more direct light source for… you guessed it… specific tasks. Some examples of task lighting could include table lamps by your changing table or desk, wall sconces flanking your changing table or over nightstands, a floor lamp near your nursing chair, or strip lighting under the shelves in your closet.
3. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is the third layer and mostly decorative in purpose. It usually highlights features in a room like wall sconces flanking the crib or highlighting a piece of art. You can really make a statement with accent lighting...which brings us to my next tip!
Tip 2: Make a Statement
When it comes to selecting lighting, don’t be afraid to choose something BOLD! Lighting is the jewelry of a room, it pulls together the design, elevates the space, and can add a show-stopping sparkle that will make the space joyful and memorable.
The best way to make a statement is with ambient lighting (a chandelier or pendant) and accent lighting. These are both unique and playful ways to add a strong decorative element to the room.
As you know, I’m not a fan of themed rooms for kids (cartoon lampshades can keep their distance), so I suggest using sculptural and artistic statement pieces instead. There are so many beautiful light fixtures to choose from, and they are far more likely to stand the test of time.
Here’s a great example of what I mean:
These subtle yet unique giraffe wall sconces in Noah’s Nursery are giving me all the feels.
Pro Tip: Bigger isn’t always better! When choosing statement lighting, make sure you select a piece at the correct scale. If the light is too big or small, it won’t look right in the space. Working with a designer will help you avoid the second-guessing.
Tip 3: Create the Right Ambience
A well-designed lighting plan can transition between moods, allowing you to create your desired ambiance. Task and accent lighting work well for setting a quiet and cozy mood, while ambient lighting signals fun activity time.
For example, when you tip-toe in to see your sweet babe in the late night and early morning hours, you don’t want to disturb them with a bright light. You need all the sleep you can get! When you install a dimmer, it allows you to check-in with soft light or sets a cozy mood to get them ready for a nap. If your little one is ready to play during the day, you’ll want to have a brilliant and fun ambiance with bright ambient lighting. Yes, kids pick up on this!
The elephant lamp from Noah’s Nursery creates a cozy mood that helps Mama function without waking the little one.
Tip 4: Control Natural Light Sources
Don’t forget to consider the natural lighting in the space. Natural light is so beautiful, and when it fills your baby’s room, the space feels fresh and alive. It can also sometimes be enough to light your space without the use of warmer overhead lighting.
However, you don’t always want it glaring into the room. If you have a room that gets great natural light during the day, consider installing motorized shades you can control with your phone to maximize (or minimize) the exposure as needed. Another option is to invest in black-out drapes to keep your baby sleeping longer, especially in the summer months!
Tip 5: Essential Lighting Safety
Last but not least, we also have to consider baby-proofing lighting in a child’s space. Your baby’s safety is your number one priority, and by keeping cords and lamps out of Baby’s reach, we can make sure they stay that way. Here are some ideas to get you started, but you can find more in my downloadable Health and Safety Guide here:
Wind up any long cords for table or floor lamps, or use cord shorteners.
Install wall sconces high enough so the baby can’t stand and grab them.
Choose table or floor lamps that aren’t breakable.
Now you have my top 5 tips for adding light to your baby’s room. It takes some strategy, some balance, and an eye for design, but I am confident that all of the above tips are the foundation of a room that supports and delights you.
If you need help, I’m always here to help your nursery’s lighting make a statement, set the mood, and keep your little one safe. Reach out to me here and let’s see what we can create for you.