The Art of Layered Lighting: How to Make Your PNW Home Feel Amazing

Choosing the right color lightbulb can be confusing

Welcome to the rainy, moody, lush-green dreamscape that is Southeast Portland. If you live here, you know the importance of good lighting because, let’s be honest, the sun is a sometime friend. Natural light is a precious resource, but let’s talk about what happens when it disappears at 4:30 PM in the winter. (Spoiler: you need a plan.)

A well-lit home isn’t just about brightness—it’s about ambiance, function, and making sure your space feels as inviting as a cozy coffee shop on Hawthorne. So let’s break it down: how do you make your home feel amazing with the right mix of windows and artificial light?

A visual of what color temperatures LOOK like.

Start in the Kitchen: The Workhorse of the Home

Go in your kitchen and look up. (No, seriously. I’ll wait.) What do you see? If you have one sad, lonely overhead light trying to do all the heavy lifting, it’s time for an upgrade.

Here’s the strategy:

• Bright task lighting – Recessed lighting with a whiter hue (4,000–5,000 Kelvin) will keep you from mistaking salt for sugar while making Christmas cookies.

• Under-cabinet lighting – A soft, warm glow (3,000–4,000 Kelvin) to make those countertops shine without being harsh. We use ours every single day.

• Pendant lights over islands/bars – Go for dimmable bulbs so you can shift from meal prep mode to romantic dinner vibes with the flick of a switch.

The Dining Room: Set the Mood, Set the Vibe

This is where the magic happens—be it an elaborate dinner party or a Tuesday night takeout feast. Your dining space should feel warm, intimate, and not like a hospital waiting room.

Pro tip: Use a dimmer. Always. A warm white (2,700–3,000 Kelvin) sets the scene for cozy, lingering conversations over a bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Living Spaces: Where Comfort Reigns

Your living room should feel like a hug. If it doesn’t, check your light bulbs. Are they a harsh, bright white? Fix it. You want soft, inviting light (2,700–3,000 Kelvin) that makes you want to curl up with a book while it drizzles outside.

Mix it up with:

• Floor and table lamps, sconces for layered lighting

• Smart bulbs so you can tweak brightness levels throughout the day (also fantastic if you get bulbs that have an option for color too because you can throw in some red at Christmas or green on St. Patricks Day to be festive in the snap of a finger!)

• Candles (because ambiance isn’t just about electricity)

Bedrooms: Give Your Eyes a Break

If you’ve got bright white bulbs in your bedroom (gasp), change them immediately. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Your nervous system deserves better. Soft white bulbs (2,700–3,000 Kelvin) will help you wind down at the end of the day instead of feeling like you’re under interrogation.

The Great LED and Dimmer Dilemma

Okay, let’s get nerdy for a sec. If you’re using dimmers, you must use dimmable LED bulbs. Otherwise, you’ll get flickering, buzzing, or bulbs that refuse to turn on below a certain level. (Super annoying.) Check the packaging—if it doesn’t say “dimmable,” it isn’t. And while you’re at it, make sure your dimmer switch is LED-compatible.

Final Thoughts: Questions to Ask Yourself

• Is my kitchen lighting adaptable for both work and ambiance?

• Do my gathering spaces feel inviting, or do people avoid them? (Hint: lighting could be the culprit.)

• Am I using dimmers wherever possible?

• Do I have different lighting options for different times of day?

• Have I considered layering natural light with artificial light for a more organic feel?

The goal is simple: your home should feel good. Not just look good—but feel good. Lighting, done right, is invisible. You won’t even notice it; you’ll just know that your space feels like the best version of itself. And isn’t that the dream?

If you enjoyed this, you might also like my weekly (intentionally short) newsletter called "Little Bits of Home Functionality." You’ll see a video with a tip, or a trick and as always, I pose questions for you to think through about your space and your reasons. {Subscribe HERE.}