Lighting is what turns a collection of Deco-inspired furniture into an atmosphere. Instead of relying on one bright ceiling fixture, layer ambient, task and accent light so the room has depth throughout the day and evening. For how this works in a living room, see our Modern Art Deco Living Room, and for sleep spaces, our Modern Art Deco Bedroom.
1. Begin with the room’s overall glow
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Ambient light should establish comfort without flattening every surface. Use ceiling fixtures, shaded pendants and lamps to create the basic level of illumination, keeping the overall effect warm and comfortable rather than clinical.
A fluted milk-glass pendant light with a brass fixture can add ambient glow to a room without feeling clinical.
2. Add light near moments of use
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Place task lighting where people actually sit or work. Reading lights, table lamps and other focused sources should make an activity easier without becoming the brightest element in the room.
A curved table lamp with a dome shade can provide focused reading light without becoming the brightest element in the room.
3. Highlight architecture and texture
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Wall lights, console lighting and focused illumination can reveal fluting, metal, artwork or textured surfaces. Accent lighting is most effective when it draws attention to something worth seeing rather than adding light for its own sake.
A brass wall sconce with warm lighting can help draw attention to texture or artwork without relying on a single overhead source.
4. Layer, dim and edit
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The combined effect of several sources is more flexible than one light doing everything. Dimming or switching zones separately lets the room move from practical daytime use to a softer evening setting without changing the furniture.
If every light is switched on at the same brightness, the room can lose depth. Give yourself options so the atmosphere can change from practical daytime use to a softer evening setting.
An inline plug-in dimmer switch can let a single lamp shift from practical daytime brightness to a softer evening glow.
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