In the Venn diagram of online opinions, the affluent world of interior design and the gen pop of TikTok don't often overlap. However, the two worlds are largely in agreement when it comes to overhead lighting, sometimes known as #thebiglight. The united front? Whether it's track lighting, recessed illumination, or the notorious boob light, overhead lighting is strictly prohibited.
A simple TikTok search for "the big light" will turn up countless results of frequently Gen Z creators criticizing overhead lighting, claiming it "makes you look ugly," is sterile and hospital-like, and attacks the senses. Even if all of that may seem a little drastic, a lot of interior designers concur that overhead lighting can hinder the creation of the warm, welcoming atmosphere that we all desire in our homes.
Here are some alternate alternatives for creating the ideal lighting atmosphere in your house, along with all the information you need to understand the controversy surrounding overhead lighting.
Reasons in Favor of and Opposition to Overhead Lighting
Lighting design is more than simply how something looks; it's also about how it makes you feel, even though design aesthetics are very subjective.
Interior designer Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design says, "Something I appreciate about our younger generation is their focus on mental health, so it's not surprising they've picked up on something designers have always known: Lighting has an impact on your emotions."
Alix is particularly a proponent of keeping the lights dim and avoiding the large light switch after dusk. She claims that most of us spend the evening at home attempting to relax and let our cortisol levels to return to normal after the hectic day. "It's a complete assault on my nervous system if someone switches on my recessed ceiling lights at full brightness after 7 p.m."
There is a place and time for the large light, and some enthusiasts, like Fariha Nasir, a designer and content creator, believe the theme is more of a cultural interpretation. Turning on "the big light" is a given in Pakistani homes, where, in addition to other light sources, there are enormous white tubelights on the ceiling, she says. "It's in our genes." Every house felt gloomy when I first arrived in the US. Despite the appearance of romantic and soothing soft ambient light sources, we always have the large light on throughout mealtimes and the late hours.
According to Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based designer Jourdan Fairchild, there are situations in which overhead lighting is particularly helpful. "Game night, for example, is a good use for the big light," she explains. "Plus, it gives the ceiling some lovely oomph."
So, you don't have to be all or nothing about your position, regardless of which side you support. You are free to use the huge light or stay away from it.
Substitutes for Overhead Lighting
Instead of using a large light, try these five designer-approved methods to create ambiance, increase coziness, and soothe your nerves.
Turn everything down.
Whether they supported or opposed overhead lighting, every designer interviewed for this story had one thing in common: "If you have overhead lighting, it must be on a dimmer, no question," says stylist and designer Emily Henderson. This enables you to alter any of your hardwired lights, chandeliers, or sconces to make them less intense for relaxing and brighter for tasks. "Having softer white bulbs in these lights is also helpful to create a warmer glow, but the real game-changer is being able to bring them down further with a dimmable switch," says Alix.
Make sure the lighting is at eye level or below.
Design content developer Deema Tabbara Lopez "loathes" ceiling lights, with the exception of some ornamental pendant lamps and chandeliers with shades. She claims, "They make me anxious." "When my light is at eye level, I'm at my happiest." Lower lighting is, after all, frequently linked to private spaces. However, when arranging task lighting, as in a reading nook, it's crucial to have your light source slightly above eye level to minimize glare and eye strain.
Put Light in Layers
When a designer refers to "layered lighting," they simply mean using a variety of lighting sources, including wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps. Thea Bloch-Neal, the creator and main designer of Curated by Thea, loves wall sconces. She suggests, "There are a lot of rechargeable LED options available now that don't require hardwiring." "Add to that floor lamps, which can add a sculptural touch and brighten an entire room, and small table lamps, which provide focused, soft light precisely where you need it; they also tend to be more energy efficient."
Continue adding lamps to increase the amount of light.
That's Tabbara Lopez's approach, anyway. The design influencer enjoys going full Nancy Meyers, whose several table lights are a well-known feature of her movie set designs. According to Tabbara Lopez, you can be anti-big light and yet want to be able to see in your home, which is different from a lot of what you see on TikTok. She laughs, "I have 500 lamps because I don't like my rooms to be too dark and I have poor vision." "Isn't it both? Not from the ceiling, but lit up? My living room currently has three lamps, but that is still insufficient. I have table lamps everywhere, including in my bathroom and on my kitchen counter.
For spaces like hallways, think about plug-in lights.
Some parts of the house, such as stairwells and hallways, appear to require overhead lighting for navigation, but Alix offers an alternative: "Use soft white plug-in lights in the outlets in these areas, where you might otherwise turn on high hats to see your pathway," the designer advises. Without using high-exposure ceiling lights to illuminate your walkway, these enable functional lighting in high-traffic regions. Without having to install additional electricity for sconces in the walls, using plug-in lights closer to the ground offers a beautiful and calming atmosphere in the evening. “They are even more convenient because you can find options that will turn on automatically when the sun sets or when you approach,” says Alix.
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