The Reason Lighting Makes Your Home Look Smaller
Our Team Explains Why Wall Lighting Is A Key Component of Luxury Lighting Design
When we talk about lighting a home, the conversation usually focuses on where the fixtures go in the ceiling. Most homeowners—and even many builders—treat the ceiling like a lighting grid with fixtures aimed straight down at the floor. While this gets the job done for basic visibility, it often creates what we call the "Cave Effect." You end up with bright spots on the carpet but dark, heavy walls that make a room feel smaller and more enclosed than it actually is.
The reality is our eyes don’t perceive the size of a room by looking at the floor. We gauge space by the light reflecting off vertical surfaces. By shifting your lighting design's focus to the walls, you make the entire space feel more expansive. That’s why our luxury lighting designs in Portland, OR, always include unique wall lighting solutions.
