Yeah, placement is definitely underrated. I had a similar issue with my dining area—thought a big pendant right over the table would be perfect, but it ended up feeling way too intense. Switched to recessed lights around the edges and added a floor lamp in the corner... total game changer. Curious if anyone's experimented with wall sconces or other indirect lighting options? I've been thinking about trying those next.
Wall sconces can be great, especially if you pick ones that bounce light off the ceiling or walls instead of shining directly out. I used them in a client's living room recently—originally they had harsh overhead lighting that made the space feel clinical. We swapped those out for indirect sconces placed about eye-level, and it softened everything up nicely. Just make sure they're dimmable... gives you way more flexibility depending on the mood or time of day.
- Wall sconces definitely have their perks, but I'm not totally sold on ditching overhead lighting completely.
- Indirect lighting is comfortable, sure, but sometimes you really need that brighter, direct illumination—like when you're cleaning or working on a project. Sconces alone might leave you squinting.
- Dimmable sconces are helpful, agreed... but dimmable overhead fixtures can also do the trick without sacrificing functionality.
- Recently installed recessed lights in my place with warm bulbs and a dimmer switch. Honestly, it softened the room plenty without feeling clinical or harsh.
- Maybe it's just personal preference, but I think mixing sconces with some well-chosen overhead lighting gives you more versatility overall. Just something to consider before going all-in on wall sconces.
Totally get the appeal of wall sconces—cozy, stylish, and all that—but I'm with you on keeping some overhead lighting around. Honestly, I tried going full-on indirect lighting once to save money (and because Pinterest made it look so dreamy), but after a week of squinting at my laptop and fumbling around trying to find stuff, I caved and brought back the overhead fixture.
I ended up installing one of those affordable dimmer switches from the hardware store, paired with warmer bulbs, and it was a game changer. Now I can have soft, chill lighting when friends come over, but crank it up when I'm cleaning or working on something detailed. Mixing sconces with overhead lighting seems like the sweet spot—versatile enough for any mood or task, without breaking the bank. Plus, if you're budget-conscious like me, it's way cheaper than rewiring your whole place for sconces everywhere... just sayin'.
Dimmer switches are underrated for sure. Another trick I've used is layering in a couple of floor lamps with adjustable heads—super flexible, no rewiring needed, and you can move them around whenever you rearrange furniture (which I do way too often...).
