How to Zone a Small Apartment Using Lighting: 8 Ways

1. Natural Light

Natural, sunlight is very important for small rooms. It's best used to highlight work, dining, living, and play zones where maximum light is needed. Clear windows and window sills of unnecessary details that block sunlight. Replace heavy curtains with light drapes or blinds. In hot days, you can add blackout curtains to them.

It's very convenient to control blinds using special electric drives and a switch that you can program to your preferred mode, for example, by the alarm signal.

2. Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are among the most popular in interior design, allowing you to create various lighting scenarios. In addition to the central chandelier, you can hang a separate light fixture above each functional zone. Very convenient and practical if they have adjustable brightness and height. Traditional wall sconces on either side of the headboard or sofa can be stylishly replaced with low-hanging pendant shades. It's important that the design of all light fixtures in the room harmonizes with the overall interior style.

3. Hidden Lighting

One of the most convenient and beautiful ways to emphasize a desired part of the room is to use hidden lighting. Soft light flows from invisible bulbs, which can be of different shades and intensity. It is suitable for the central area of the room as well as very small parts: shelves, niches. An original idea is to run lighting along the floor line or under furniture. Hidden fixtures can be replaced with practical LED strip lights.

4. Floor Standing Lamp

No matter how bright the room is, you need to provide it with soft, diffused lighting. Various floor standing lamps can achieve this. Their placement can be changed as needed to highlight different parts of the room. A cozy armchair paired with a comfortable floor lamp in one corner of the apartment creates a secluded relaxation zone. Floor lamps beside the bed or sofa are a way to highlight personal space.

5. Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are currently at the peak of popularity. And it's not by accident: with their help, one gesture can transform a brightly lit living room into a cozy bedroom with soft, intimate lighting. Installing dimmer switches in several corners of the room allows you to control both light and space, defining important zones. For example, if you need to sit at a table or in a chair with a book when family members are already asleep, you can adjust the light in a convenient corner of the room using a dimmer, without disturbing others.

6. Wall Sconces

It's convenient to emphasize small parts of the room or specific interior details using wall sconces. They easily highlight the headboard of a bed, dining table, or a key picture on the wall. Two wall lights beside a mirror can enhance its function and visually expand the space, as well as emphasize the dressing or bathroom area. For greater convenience, choose sconces with adjustable swivel brackets and dimmers. Visually, several sconces along the walls aimed at a glossy stretched ceiling can increase ceiling height.

7. Table Lamp

Table lamps serve as convenient mini-torches. They are easy to move and combine with other types of lighting. Traditionally, they emphasize work or bedroom zones. However, depending on their design and the needs of the homeowners, a table lamp can highlight any corner of the room and complement various lighting scenarios. Some table lamps create combined soft lighting - directed upward and diffused downward.

8. String Lights

String lights are most often used for a romantic accent above the headboard or on curtains. But their possibilities aren't limited to that. Due to their light weight and airy appearance, string lights are perfect for decorating small spaces. They can emphasize any interior detail: mirror, picture, wall inscription, window. With the help of an original light wall, for example, you can separate a living room zone from a bedroom or kitchen.

Expert Comment: Why Lighting Scenarios Are Today's Must-Have

Controlling lighting and creating lighting scenarios is one of the most in-demand features that almost everyone who wants to install a Smart Home system orders. What does it provide? A professional explains.

1. Comfort Focus

In my opinion, in a modern home, several groups of lighting should be used in one room. Imagine the living room: a central light fixture, spotlights around the ceiling perimeter, a floor lamp or wall sconces above the sofa, poster or picture backlighting. With a traditional approach to each lighting group, a separate switch is installed, which in the house can count several dozens. To turn off all lights, you have to walk through the entire room, which isn't always convenient.

Much more comfortable is to control the same light fixture from different points in the house or turn off all light sources in a room or entire house with just one button press.

2. More Options

Another possibility for comfortable lighting control is the function of creating lighting scenarios. One button on a centralized touch panel, scenario switch, or remote control can create the desired lighting scenario in each room depending on the time of day, level of natural illumination, planned events.

For example, in the evening in a bedroom, you can activate a Sleep scenario - complete shutdown of upper light, curtains closed, and nightlight on 10% power. In a Smart Home system, there is the ability to adjust brightness of any type of lamp, including halogen, fluorescent, and LED.

Photo on cover: Design project by Nikita Zub.