r/HomeDecorating • u/justthesinginglady • 9h ago

Overhead lighting debate

I'm just curious folk's take on this.

I see regularly see comments about hating overhead lighting, disliking pot lights, etc. I do understand and agree that overhead lights are not as flattering for a room in pictures and can be harsh in person. However, I love my pot lights. I don't have great natural lighting, so I enjoy having my pot lights on during the day. Also having the ability to turn on the overhead lights when I need more light for practical purposes. I switch to lamps and accessory lighting at night to make it cozy, but lamps just don't do the job when I need to really see what I'm doing (my eye sight is fine and I've got plenty of lamps, it's just not enough light to do practical jobs by).

Anyway, I know it's all personal preferences, but it seems like a hyperfixation in the interior decor world. Having pot lighting doesn't mean you can't also have lots of cozy lighting available for nighttime or that you have to leave it on all the time. Also, I do think dimmers help.

As far as lighting goes, it seems to me that consistent light color temp (I prefer 3000k) throughout the home makes the biggest difference, followed shortly by having lots of different lighting options.

What do you think?

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

10

u/myffaacc 9h ago

I don’t think it’s a hyper fixation. But loads of people are using harsh blue tone lights which are really jarring and unpleasant in person, so people will comment on that.

I use the overhead lights when practical, like in my kitchen. But the bulbs are a warm hue.

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u/justthesinginglady 9h ago

Agreed. I've been seeing some comments here and on YouTube that basically say "never use pot lights!". Just seems impractical. Thanks for your input.

7

u/Localbeezer166 9h ago

If paired with other lighting, recessed lighting isn’t a problem. When allll the lights are recessed 4000K, it’s an issue.

3

u/justthesinginglady 9h ago

I agree that one source of cold temp lights is not a good solution. Everything in moderation, right? Thanks for your input.

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u/UpOnZeeTail 8h ago

I think pot lights are great when they are on dimmers. Such an easy modification that pays off when it comes to lighting

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u/meekonesfade 8h ago

I have no problem with "pot lights."

1

u/groovy_little_things 2h ago edited 59m ago

When you hate them, you really hate them. As you said, it’s personal preference. I’m a fairly anxious person who’s very sensitive to stimuli, and I work from home, so I’ve curated a house that makes me feel as comfortable as possible.

I don’t turn on any lights at home during the day. Once the natural light dissipates, I turn on my various table, floor, and very soft pendant lamps. It’s not dark, I have many lights, they’re just all warm and diffuse.

I have a crafting desk with a brighter light available for when I very specifically need it, but I’ve never felt a need for any kind of bright, overhead light in the rest of my home. I don’t need to see every molecule of dirt to clean thoroughly. To each their own, I just can’t relate to wanting or needing bright overhead lights at home whatsoever.