Living

11 Brilliant Lighting Solutions for When Your Space Is Just Too Dark

published Mar 22, 2022
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eclectic earth tone living room

Having a well-lit home is key to creating a warm and inviting space. Aside from the obvious benefit of functionality, the right lighting can literally illuminate your personal style. After all, what’s the use of creating your dream room if you can’t see it, right? Unfortunately, when your apartment has limited built-in lighting, too few wall sockets, or little natural light, it can easily feel dark and dreary.

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The good news: No matter your space size or light limitations, there are loads of solutions out there designed to help brighten things up. From affordable Amazon finds to splurge-worthy multi-taskers, there’s bound to be a lighting arrangement out there to set the perfect ambiance in your space. So where can you find these game-changing lighting fixtures? We’ve pulled together a list of 11 alternative lighting solutions that promise to, ahem, shed light on the situation. (PS: Some are even on sale!)

1 / 11
Amazon
$59.99

This USB-rechargeable lamp is the ultimate portable light under $60. With four brightness settings and a battery life of at least seven hours, the Tubicen sets the ambiance anytime in or outside. Thanks to a lightweight build and the fact that it has no cords, the light can be endlessly repositioned for dinner parties, bedtime reading, game night, or general mood lighting.

2 / 11
Urban Outfitters
$49.00

Plant parents out there – this one's for you. This Grow Light Planter will not only provide some extra (synthetic) rays for your plants, it's also an awesome fixture for a dark room. Adding a light source that throws cool shadows across your space creates a moody aesthetic and helps your greenery grow.

3 / 11
Nordstrom
$89.99

No surface space or ceiling fixture? This Brightech floor lamp is the perfect solution for those who want lots of light in a modestly sized space. Just position this vertical lamp in a corner of the room, and voila, space illuminated! Available in black or silver, this twisted floor fixture has a built-in pedal dimmer and long-lasting LED bulbs.

4 / 11
HAY
$403.75
was $475.00

We're obsessed with all things HAY, like this multi-functioning Scandi lamp. The Bonbon Shade can be placed on the floor or atop a table for those without electrical wiring for chandeliers, but it can also hang pendant-style from the ceiling. The versatility of this shade means it will outlast future moves and life changes; it will fit in with lots of styles and look elegant while doing so.

5 / 11
YLighting
$139.00

This completely transparent table lamp comes in four gorgeous colors that subtly tint the hue of the light. It boasts a battery life of up to eight hours, which makes this portable and cordless little powerhouse the perfect LED energy-saving light to spice up any space. The lamp's touch-sensor switch has three different light settings, so you can change it to set the mood. Really want to make a style statement? Take home one in each color.

6 / 11
Nordstrom
$70.00
was $100.00

At 30 percent off, this simple plug-in light is a no-brainer. The Knuckle Table Lamp is small enough to fit onto just about any tabletop (or bookshelf or nightstand or console) while still providing lots of light. The porcelain bulb can be adjusted via the attached dimmer, so you can use this simple piece whether you need bright light or low-level mood lighting. This simple and elegant piece is available with either an oak/bronze or black/pewter cylindrical base.

7 / 11
Urban Outfitters
$200.00

This easy (and drill-free) hanging light will provide a pop of style to any wall and light up the room. Wirelessly program the hexagons to achieve endless colors, or sync up the color changes with music in real-time. You can control the settings by touching the lights, calling commands to Alexa, or using the corresponding app. (If hexagons aren't your thing, check out these triangles.)

8 / 11
YLighting
$139.00

These rechargeable spheres can be put to good use inside or out. Their waterproof coating makes them the perfect portable light source for outdoor picnics or ambiance lighting, but we also like to think they could make pretty cool semi-permanent indoor fixtures, too. The fun rubber loop means hanging these balls of light is super easy; suspend them from a hook in the living room or wrap them around a branch in the backyard — you really can't go wrong.

9 / 11
Homary
$75.99
was $107.99

It's not every day you find a plug-in sconce that is sleek, modern, and on sale. This Globe Wall Sconce can be hardwired or plugged into an outlet, and to assemble it, all you need is a simple screw gun to attach the two mounts to the wall. The sconce's frosted globe softens and disperses warm light through any space.

10 / 11
Anthropologie
$228.00

A plug in sconce that doubles as a side table? Count us in! This boho-chic Anthropologie jute sconce boasts gorgeous bronze accents that will illuminate with the simple flick of a switch. Place your favorite candle, a glass of wine, or a good book within arm's reach on the sconce's beech wood table tray, and enjoy the warm light as it makes its way through the shade's tasteful jute strings.

11 / 11
Lumens
$369.00

This sculptural floor lamp will add some serious style to a room. Dimmable, battery-operated, and portable (for when you want to rearrange your space or plug it in to charge), this funky LED lamp casts a gentle glow for up to eight hours. Perfect for filling up the awkward spaces between furniture or setting out of the way in a corner, the color options and ambient light are bound to make a statement.