The Realtor’s Guide to Home Lighting (That Actually Sells Your House)

If your rooms feel dim, mismatched, or “meh” on camera, it’s almost always a lighting problem—not your furniture. Here’s a simple, foolproof guide you (or your handyman) can use to choose bulbs, hang fixtures at the right height, and create lighting that photographs beautifully and feels great in person.

1) Pick the right color temperature (Kelvin), not just a bulb name

Most packaging says “Soft White,” “Bright White,” or “Daylight,” but those labels vary by brand. Use the Kelvin (K) number.

2700K – “Soft White”: cozy, warm; great for living rooms and bedrooms.
3000K – “Warm White/Bright White”: a touch brighter; good for kitchens, bathrooms, task lamps.
4000K – “Neutral White”: crisp without going blue; offices, laundry, garages.
5000K+ – “Daylight”: very cool/clinical; avoid unless you’re lighting a workshop.

Pro tip: Use one Kelvin per room so photos don’t show patchy yellow/blue hotspots.

2) Standardize wattage/brightness

Mixing lumens (brightness) and Kelvin makes rooms read blotchy on camera. For most ceiling fixtures, 60W-equivalent LED (≈ 800 lumens) in the same Kelvin across the entire fixture is a safe, flattering baseline.

3) Hang fixtures at the right height

Bad proportions make expensive fixtures look cheap.

Dining table chandeliers: 34–36 in from tabletop to bottom of fixture
Kitchen island pendants: 36–42 in above countertop
Bathroom vanity sconces (each side of mirror): center at 60–66 in above floor
Over-mirror vanity bars: 75–80 in above floor (or 6–8 in above mirror)

Eyeball for sightlines and adjust an inch or two for tall ceilings, but err on the lower side—most fixtures are hung too high.

4) Layer your light (every room needs these three)

Ambient: the main “room fill” (recessed lights, a chandelier, or a flush/semi-flush).
Task: light for doing things (reading lamp, under-cabinet strips, desk lamp).
Accent: mood/highlight (picture light, small table lamp on a console, cove light).

If a room feels flat or gloomy, you’re missing a layer.

5) What to swap (and what to skip)

Replace or remove:

The infamous “boob light.” Choose a clean semi-flush with a simple drum, glass, or low-profile dome.
Farmhouse cage fixtures and Tuscan scrolly vanity bars. Date-stamped.
Skinny up-light torchiere floor lamps that blast light at the ceiling only.

Choose instead:

Clean-lined black, brass, or white fixtures; fabric drum shades; woven textures for softness.
A statement Sputnik or sculptural semi-flush for tired spaces (keeps ceilings feeling taller).
Arc floor lamps or multi-head floor lamps to bend light where you need it.

Ceiling fans: If you must keep them, pick sleek 3-blade designs with integrated, dimmable LED and keep finishes simple. Avoid fussy arms and dangling pulls.

6) Dim everything you can

Install dimmer switches (modern paddle or screwless plates look fresher than old toggles). Dimmers = instant mood, better evening showings, and smoother real-estate photos.

7) Make photos pop on “lights-on” day

Same Kelvin and matching bulbs in every multi-bulb fixture.
All bulbs working; no flicker.
Shades dusted, glass globes cleaned inside/out.
Window coverings open—or remove broken/blinds entirely to let the light breathe.

8) Fast fixes buyers notice

Replace yellowed switch plates and mismatched trim rings.
Tighten drooping sconces and re-center off-center pendants.
Add under-cabinet LED strips (plug-in or battery) for an instant kitchen lift.

Room-by-Room Quick Picks

Living Room

Ambient: semi-flush or chandelier (2700–3000K)
Task: two table lamps flanking sofa
Accent: picture light or small console lamp

Kitchen

Ambient: recessed or bright semi-flush (3000–4000K)
Task: under-cabinet lighting
Accent: pendants over island (36–42 in above)

Bathrooms

Ambient: ceiling flush (3000K)
Task: sconces at eye level beside mirror or a clean over-mirror bar

Bedrooms

Ambient: quiet semi-flush (2700K)
Task: bedside lamps with 3-way or dimmable bulbs
Accent: a small dresser lamp for warmth

Common Lighting Mistakes (and fixes)

Mixing Daylight and Soft White in one room → Choose one Kelvin and redo.
Tiny fixtures on tall/large rooms → Size up one category (bigger reads cleaner).
Bright but harsh bathrooms → 3000K bulbs + frosted glass shades.
All ceiling, no lamps → Add task/accent to kill shadows and make photos inviting.