When a home needs a style or décor refresh, changing out the lighting is a great way to upgrade its interior and exterior look, feel, and functionality. From creative and funky to functional, the lighting in a home has a significant impact on every room. Choosing lighting that reflects your personality and style will make each room unique.

Whether updating an entire home or just a room or two, there are plenty of styles and types to make each space uniquely beautiful with lighting that is equal parts fashionable and functional. As with any other element of interior décor, getting the lighting right requires two qualities: inspiration and creativity.

Read on to learn how to modernize your home with lighting.

Create a Consistent Color Scheme

A consistent or cohesive color scheme throughout your home creates a connection that runs through every room. Choosing a base color for the walls in the main living areas of your home will tie all the rooms together. Painting the walls connecting hallways and rooms the same color establishes a flow between these areas, especially in open-concept homes. Choosing a base color for your interior décor brings a sense of continuity; lighting can liven up the look and keep it from feeling monotonous.

Kelly Wearstler Cleo 36 Inch 12 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co.

Finding a common element in the lighting can level up the entire design of a room. For example, the Kelly Wearstler Cleo 36 Inch 12 Light Chandelier by Visual Comfort and Co. with white shades and antique brass finish highlights the neutral palette in the most stunning way. The white walls provide a backdrop, allowing beautiful lighting design to take center stage without overpowering the design.

Tech Lighting Sean Lavin Gunnar 23 Inch Large Pendant

Pendant lights brighten up kitchens and dining rooms with style and grace. Choosing two large light fixtures, such as the Tech Lighting Sean Lavin Gunnar 23 Inch Large Pendants, adds drama as well as brightness over the kitchen island. The grand scale and silhouette of the architecturally significant shade draw attention to the pure white kitchen. Lighting shouldn’t overpower a room, but it shouldn’t get lost either. This pair of pendants perfectly strikes the right balance.

Enhance Interior Lighting

In addition to adding functional lighting, you can use pops of illumination to give the interior a personalized touch and unexpected glow. Hanging a modern crystal chandelier in the living room is a great way to add a little sparkle to the decor. Keep size and proportion in mind. A large pendant is a perfect pick in a home with high ceilings and plenty of square footage. But using even a medium-sized light fixture in a small space can throw off the balance.

Molten 43 Inch 6 Light Chandelier by Regina Andrew

This non-traditional chandelier makes a subtle statement in this living room, creating the perfect spot for relaxing. The hand-crafted shades and natural brass of the Molten 43 Inch 6 Light Chandelier by Regina Andrew offer a distinct artisan effect. The molten glass has an intrinsic beauty expressed in the variation of texture and size for a quirky, stunning finishing touch.

Gem 35 Inch 12 Light LED Multi Light Pendant by Hammerton Studio

The lighting over the dining room table instantly captures all eyes, and the Gem 35 Inch 12 Light LED Multi Light Pendant by Hammerton Studio meets the moment with ease. This multi-pendant light lives up to its name as jewelry for the home. The sparkling LED hand-blown gems feature various sizes and hang at different lengths, bringing movement and interest through the dining room.

Sean Lavin Viaggio 26 Inch Wall Sconce by Tech Lighting

In this stunning bedroom, the Sean Lavin Viaggio 26 Inch Wall Sconce by Tech Lighting, the smoke glass globes complement the gray color palette while the black body draws attention to the darker elements in the bedroom décor. The glass globe shades enhance the billowy clouds featured in the wallpaper, giving the bedroom texture and movement while maintaining its relaxing vibe.

Refresh Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Exterior porch lights, like all lights, have a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. They can improve your home’s curb appeal, highlighting special features at night and adding decorative flair during the day. Wall-mounted lights provide illumination in darker areas without creating glare.

Hunt 29 Inch Tall 4 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Capital Lighting Fixture Company

The perfect blend of industrial form and function, the Hunt 29 Inch Tall 4 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Capital Lighting Fixture Company enhances the exterior aesthetics of this home. The black finish contrasts beautifully with the white brick exterior, their warm, soft light sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Outdoor “rooms” are great for entertaining or just relaxing. Creating a backyard oasis maximizes your outdoor areas and allows almost year-round enjoyment. Outdoor modern ceiling lights put the finishing touch on outdoor rooms perfect for gatherings. Add a rug to define the functional areas – dining and lounging – and arrange the furniture to encourage conversation. This is where the lighting can truly stand out. It is perfectly fine to choose a chandelier or pendant with a whimsical design in outdoor spaces.

Sierra 40 Inch Large Pendant by Troy Lighting

The ambiance of this outdoor room is beautiful day and night due to the stunning Sierra 40 Inch Large Pendant by Troy Lighting. Crafted by hand and inspired by nature, this piece showcases superb organic and textural qualities. Warm light seeps through the distressed bronze branches, offering a gentle glow that everyone can enjoy. Air movement is often an issue in outdoor spaces, but never fear, the Odyn Custom Outdoor Rated Ceiling Fan with Light Kit by Fanimation has the power to cool the space while adding a touch of drama to the décor.

Whether improving curb appeal or creating the perfect outdoor oasis, these modern outdoor lighting ideas offer plenty of inspiration.