Some spaces feel like home the moment you walk in. Others take time. But often, it’s not the furniture or the layout—it’s the way the light hits at just the right moment.
A soft glow in the evening. Turning off overhead lights after a long day. Keeping one warm lamp on while you journal, read, or make tea. Lighting sets the tone for how we feel in a space—sometimes more than we realize.
That’s what this edition of The Little Things That Matter is all about: how thoughtful lighting can help your space feel more lived-in, more peaceful, and more like you.
Layer Your Lights
Garine Kiroian, a home staging professional, told us her trick: layer warm lighting at different heights to create depth and softness. “A warm light above and another at eye level creates a beautiful visual aesthetic,” she says. She also loves placing a light near a reflective surface—like a window or glass door—to make the whole room feel more tranquil and romantic.
It’s Not Just About Looks
Bright overhead lighting can be useful, but it’s not always the vibe when you’re winding down. That’s why many people reach for softer light in the evenings. Dimmable bulbs, lamps with warm hues, or lights tucked into cozy corners can help signal to your brain: it’s time to relax.
For me, that’s often the moment my space starts to feel like home—not when everything’s perfectly arranged, but when the lighting is just right for how I want to feel.
Light as a Ritual
For a lot of us, turning on a certain light is more than just practical—it’s a signal to shift energy. Maybe it’s switching from a bright workspace to something softer as you move into the evening. Maybe it’s the same lamp you turn on every night as part of your wind-down routine. Over time, those little actions build rhythm—and that rhythm becomes a feeling of home. Something about the repetition makes the light feel familiar, grounding. Like the day’s finally slowing down.
It doesn’t have to be dramatic. Just one light in the right place, at the right moment, can shift your whole mood.
Now we want to hear from you.
What’s one small lighting habit that makes your space feel more like home? Tell us in the comments—we’d love to feature your tip in the next Little Things That Matter.