Lighting Ideas & Inspiration

Explore inspiring lighting ideas that will drastically make your home more efficient & appealing.

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Front Porch Lights: From A to Z

More than just a beacon leading to the front door, exterior lighting helps define the look of a house. With planning and a bit of math, you can put your home's best face forward.
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How To Make Mason Jar Patio Lights

These charming lanterns brighten an evening get-together, and they're a cinch to make from supplies you can pick up at the home center.
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Best Recessed Lights (2024 Guide)

Recessed lighting fixtures (also known as can lights) save space by sitting flush with your ceiling, making your home feel less cluttered. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best recessed lights on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home.
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Best Under-Cabinet Lighting (2024 Guide)

In this review, we compare and analyze today's best under-cabinet lighting options so you can find the perfect ambiance for your home.
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The 5 Best Floor Lamps (2024 Review)

Floor lamps don’t only provide your home with additional light—they can also contribute to its look. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best floor lamps on Amazon.
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How to Build a Modern Tripod Lamp

House One editor and This Old House DIY expert Jenn Largesse shares how to build a sleek three-legged lamp from stock parts and basic tools.
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The 5 Best LED Lights (2024 Review)

LED lights can help you enhance your gaming or movie-watching setup, decorate your countertops, or just give any room in your home a new aesthetic. Here are our picks for the best LED lights on Amazon.
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The 5 Best LED Strip Lights (2024 Review)

Strip lights can upgrade the look of any room or space. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best LED strip lights on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you and your home. The products included in this article are available at various home improvement stores, local home centers, and online retailers like Amazon.
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5 Savvy Uses for Smart Lighting

Sure, you’ll never have to come home to a dark house again, but smart lighting is great for home security, monitoring energy usage, and more.
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Everything to Know About Bathroom Chandeliers

Thinking about adding a chandelier to your bathroom? Bring glamour and luxury to your personal space with one of these fabulous fixtures.
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Best Outdoor Solar Lights (2024 Guide)

Outdoor solar lighting allows you to brighten your yard without batteries or cords. Here are our top picks for the best outdoor solar lights.
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Best Christmas Lights (2024 Guide)

In this review and guide, we evaluate some of the best Christmas lights for a range of applications, personal tastes, and budgets.
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14 Best Pergola Lighting Ideas

Entertain or just relax with these illuminating ideas for your pergola or other outdoor living space.
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5 Garage Lighting Ideas (2024 Guide)

Whether you plan on using your garage as a working space for DIY projects or as a storage area, you’ll need it to be well-lit to navigate around the space. Keep reading for garage lighting ideas, products, and tips.
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Building Breakthroughs: Smart Light Switches

Retrofitting new smart lighting systems into old houses provides more user control, energy savings, and peace of mind. 
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Pro Lighting Tips | 2020 Idea House: Cottage on the Cape

Interior designer Denise Enright tells us what inspired her lighting selections throughout The TOH 2020 Idea House on the Cape.
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Ideas for DIY String Lights That Help Your Home Shine

Nothing warms up a space like a cozy, affordable set of string lights. Learn how to decorate them to match the rest of your home's decor.
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Velux Sun Tunnel Skylights

Sun tunnels are a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and simple-to-install alternative to skylights. Learn whether they're the right fit to bring more natural light to your home. 
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5 Creative Design Ideas for Outdoor Lighting

Achieve a magical look in your yard with these nightscaping suggestions
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Ask This Old House Know-How: DIY Dimmers

Master Electrician Scott Caron demonstrates how to upgrade to a wireless dimming system to easily adjust lighting schemes throughout the home by remote control
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How To Add Overhead Lighting to a Bedroom

Need to brighten up a dark bedroom? Our guide walks you through adding new overhead lighting to enhance your room's atmosphere.
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Articulating Library Lights

Use hardworking sconces to illuminate a reading nook, sink wall, fireplace mantel, or any other place you want to brighten in style
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Everything You Need to Know to Install an Overhead Light

An overhead light fixture can transform a dark room. Follow along as expert Scott Caron helps a homeowner install a dining room chandelier.
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Ask Kevin: Tips on New Lightbulb Options

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor explains what to look for when choosing energy-efficient lightbulbs
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How to Add Automatic Lighting to a Closet

Lighting expert Scott Caron shows a homeowner how to brighten up a dark closet and never have to flip on a light switch
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How to Convert a Kerosene Lantern into a Lamp

Master electrician Scott Caron brings electricity to a lantern that used to be lit with kerosene
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Outdoor Lighting Upgrades for Summer Entertaining

Brighten up your entertainment space with unique outdoor lighting. Learn more about each type and get valuable design ideas from our experts.
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Demystifying LED Lightbulbs

If you have nagging questions about these energy-saving and long-lasting bulbs, we have the answers
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How to Choose Recessed Lights

Electrician Charles Vargas explains light-bulb options for recessed fixtures.
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Three Ways to Spiff Up a Ceiling Fan

If you have an old ceiling fan in your home, give it a refresh to improve its look and performance with these three simple steps.
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All About Path Lighting

With a little knowledge and a little planning, you can create a well lit walkway with path lighting. This guide will show you how.
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Exterior Lighting Right Where You Need It

The right exterior lighting makes your outdoor spaces more functional. Learn expert tips on what fixtures to use and where to use them.
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Everything You Need to Know about Landscape Lighting

Our experts share how to light the outside of your house, from selecting the best outdoor lights to proper installation and maintenance.