I live in the Pacific Northwest and am looking for ways to add soft, warm lighting to my room String lights feel a little foreign to me now that I’m in my 30s no offense to those who use them What’s a “grownup” and affordable version of this type of ambient lighting
I use remotecontrolled string lights to make my own I put them in old wine bottles, glass jars, and crystal lanterns This way, you can customize the flickering without having to hang lights everywhere I also like remotecontrolled string lights because you can set them on a timer to turn on and off automatically
I’m a huge fan of ambient lighting Here are a few things I have around the house Small lamps Target and Ikea have really cute ones for 1015 They’re about 1218 inches tall I put them on end tables, shelves, in corners like in my kitchen, pretty much anywhere lol Salt lamps are also nice because you can usually adjust the brightness and they’re very warm I have one on my bookshelf right now Paper lanterns I have a giant paper lantern from Ikea that was originally meant to be a cover for a pendant light, which I power with a rechargeable bulb or a strand of recycled battery lights so it’s not visible I hang mine with fishing line for a floating effect LED neon lights It’s a little harder to find a more grownup version of this, but I have a wallmounted LED heart that looks like a softer neon sign I love it, and it’s probably the decor item that gets the most compliments Finally tasteful string lights Above my fireplace, I have delicate string lights hanging between candles, behind a large mirror, and in a vase This is my take on a more traditional string light decor
I like LED strips behind furniture, such as headboards, desks, and vanities, because they emit a soft glow and allow you to play with cool or warm lighting
Dimmable and remotecontrolled bulbs with warm shades Elegant floor lamps and cozy table lamps
I have a string of lights in my living room, but I crocheted the top so each light actually becomes a flower I also love anything that gives off a soft light I’m not one to praise Amazon, but when they have special sales, they often have dimmable and colorchanging bulbs at very reasonable prices This is very practical at home I also recommend thrift stores for lights, bases, shades, etc
String batteryoperated fairy lights in apothecary jars on the mantelpiece or arrange them in different sizes on a table Never let your imagination run wild Growing up often means trying to be an adult
If you’re looking for string lights, check out the Bodhi leaf lights They’re natural and very elegant, in my opinion Otherwise, many thanks to those who recommend diffused or dimmable lighting My brightest table lamp is an IKEA Tllbyn with a closed white glass shade, which softens the light greatly
I keep getting ads for variations of this which I think is pretty cool
remotecontrolled “flame” candles
I think it all depends on how you hang them A few years ago, I bought a string of lights with little clips to hang Christmas cards I loved them so much I never took them down Instead of an uneven drapery effect, they form tight, straight lines along the hallway and in the corner of the living room I also installed string lights that wrap around the TV, using it as backlighting It looks beautiful, and you can change the color to your liking They have a warm and cozy feel Correction Typo
Most of these tips have already been mentioned, but here is my list Batteryoperated candles pillar and tea lights in lanterns and holders with timers or remotes Salt lamps Essential oil diffusers Paper lanterns or floor lamps String lights behind or under furniture Elegant light fixtures Layered lighting using floor lamps, table lamps, and sconces at different heights In general, aim for soft, warm, and diffused lighting In my opinion, purposefully placed string lights chosen for their design don’t have to look immature This room has string lights, and while it has a more relaxed and casual feel, it doesn’t feel overly childish to me
Add plants Fairy lights indoor plants responsible adult
Remotecontrolled pillar candles are placed on high shelves They’re placed in candlesticks, and a central element moves when lit, giving them the appearance of US dollars candles
I have a lot of cool lighting at home I especially like colorchanging bulbs You can choose a single color or have them fade in gradients with warm or cool white lines All settings can be adjusted directly from your smartphone I have Magic Home bulbs, and they’ve worked perfectly for me for over three years I also like simple black bulbs They’re relaxing, especially at night, and make the colors even more interesting In my old apartment, I had warm white Christmas lights on the ceiling with a white wire so they blend into the wall Connect them to a Bluetooth switch that you can turn on and off with your smartphone A Galaxy lamp is perfect for the colors on the ceiling, but it doesn’t provide much ambient light Small Moon lamps change colors, and I love them as a nightlight The best is a disco ball with a spotlight Even small disco balls 8 inches can create a lot of dancing lights in a small room If you don’t want to invest in a conventional projector they’re lowpower and lowbrightness, a small LED flashlight will suffice If you hang the disco ball in direct sunlight, you’ll get amazing sparkles even during the day
I bought the SNYRA string lights from IKEA 9 They’re round beads with a very soft light they look very elegant, especially with climbing plants I know, they’re still string lights but they might surprise you It’s hard to choose between these string lights and the IKEA Holmo rice paper lamp it’s honestly the prettiest soft light I’ve ever seen, but unfortunately, it’s no longer available