Recessed ceiling lights, or “can lights,” have been popular in the US for decades; however, Lewis recommends using them sparingly.
“You end up in a room that’s lit like Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, the designer told BI. The lighting is “useful for finding your pants and socks, but apart from that, it’s just horrible,” he added.
If overhead lighting can’t be avoided, he’ll add dimmer switches. Preferably, though, he’d stick with zoned lighting that can spotlight a piece of art, furniture, or room corners to create atmosphere in a gentler way.
“Use your light to create atmosphere,” he said, adding that you can even hire a lighting planner to help you do so if you’re stumped.
Keep reading other things interior designers say they would (or would never) have in their own space.
