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A Livingetc report published as 2026 design trends draw attention to sculptural fixtures argues that low-level lighting is often missed in home lighting plans. Designers quoted in the report say placing light closer to the floor can add atmosphere, highlight architectural details and help rooms with low ceilings feel less oppressive.
A Livingetc report is urging homeowners planning room lighting to look beyond ceiling fixtures and add more low-level lighting, such as lights closer to the floor. Designers quoted in the report say these fittings can create depth and atmosphere, draw attention to architectural features and offer an alternative to relying heavily on overhead illumination.
The report defines low-level lighting by the position of the fitting: it sits in the lower half of a space. The term does not simply mean a dimmer light. Examples discussed include small fittings set into the floor, as well as other sources positioned lower than ceiling lights. Their role is to contribute to a layered scheme rather than replace general or task lighting.
Julee Ireland, founder of Home Renovation School, told Livingetc that designers can overlook lighting “from the ground up” while focusing on decorative fixtures. She said lower light can highlight materials, textures and architectural details and bring warmth and atmosphere to a room. Vanessa Macedo, an associate designer at John Cullen Lighting, similarly said light closer to the floor can add depth and direct attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Macedo said lower lighting may be useful in rooms with low ceilings, where depending heavily on downlights can make a ceiling feel cluttered or oppressive. The report also presents low-level fittings as a way to illuminate a walkway or reveal wall texture. These are design recommendations from the professionals quoted; the report does not provide measurements or comparative studies of their effects.
How Lower Light Changes a Room
The advice concerns how a home feels and functions, not just which fixture is fashionable. A layered plan typically combines sources for different purposes: general illumination makes a room usable, while task lighting provides focused light. The designers quoted argue that a lower layer can complement these sources by creating depth and softer atmosphere, rather than leaving the ceiling to carry most of the lighting scheme.
For readers planning a renovation or replacing fittings, the practical takeaway is to consider where light falls as well as the look of a lamp. Lower placement may help draw the eye to a feature, provide light along a route, or reduce visual emphasis on overhead fittings in a low-ceilinged room. The report does not say that every room needs floor-set lights or prescribe a single layout; the appropriate choice depends on the space and how it is used.
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Beyond Statement Ceiling Fixtures
Livingetc frames the advice against a backdrop of attention to oversized, sculptural and brightly colored fixtures, describing low-level lighting as a subtler part of interior design that can be overlooked. The report’s point is not to reject decorative ceiling lights, but to balance them with sources at other heights.
The designers describe low-level lighting as one element in a wider scheme. Ireland, an architectural interior and product designer with more than 25 years of experience, said it is part of her design process. Macedo’s work at John Cullen spans residential and other settings, and she said lighting should shape the experience of a space, not merely illuminate it. Their comments are expert opinions published by Livingetc, rather than findings from a formal survey of designers or homeowners.
“Too often, designers focus on beautiful decorative fixtures but overlook the importance of layering light from the ground up, not just from the ceiling down.”
— Julee Ireland, founder of Home Renovation School, quoted by Livingetc
Limits of the Design Advice
The report does not specify how many fittings a room should have, what brightness or color temperature to choose, or how to position lights for different layouts. It offers professional design guidance, not test results establishing that low-level lighting will make every room feel larger or warmer. The source excerpt also begins a comment from Danielle Domingues, owner of Collins & Co. Interiors, but does not include the full statement, so her point cannot be reported beyond the opening observation that low-level lighting can have a practical role as well as a mood-setting one.
It is also not clear from the report whether its recommendations reflect a wider change in design practice or how commonly homeowners currently use these fittings. No survey data, market figures or independent assessment is provided.
Planning a More Layered Scheme
For homeowners considering changes, the report’s advice is to assess a room’s existing light sources and identify where additional light could serve a purpose: along a walkway, near a feature, or lower on a wall or floor. Any new fitting should suit the room’s use and be planned alongside its general and task lighting, rather than treated as a standalone decoration.
Livingetc does not announce a follow-up study or a specific next development. Whether low-level lighting becomes more common, and how designers apply it across different homes, remains to be seen. The immediate next step for readers is a planning decision: consider the intended effect and the room’s constraints before selecting and installing fittings.
Key Questions
What does low-level lighting mean?
In the Livingetc report, it means light fittings positioned in the lower half of a space, rather than simply lights with low brightness. Small fittings set into a floor are one example.
What can low-level lighting do?
The designers quoted say it can add depth and atmosphere, highlight textures and architectural features, and light a walkway. These are design recommendations, not guaranteed results for every room.
Can it help in a room with a low ceiling?
Vanessa Macedo said shifting some illumination lower can create a more balanced scheme in a low-ceilinged room, where heavy reliance on downlights may make the ceiling feel cluttered or oppressive.
Does low-level lighting replace ceiling or task lighting?
No. The report describes it as part of a layered lighting scheme. General lighting and task lighting still serve separate purposes; lower sources can complement them.
Is there evidence that every home needs it?
The source offers expert opinions but no survey or comparative study showing that every home needs low-level lighting. The choice depends on the room, its use and the effect a homeowner wants.
Source: livingetc.com
