The holidays are upon us, and it’s a wonderful time to turn inward and focus on making our homes welcoming places for family and friends. The right lighting is an important part of your seasonal home. It creates ambiance and helps set the tone of your festivities, whether they’re intimate dinners with friends or large celebrations.

Consider lighting to play up your home’s best features and holiday decor. Twinkling lights, a romantic glow, and a bit of glamour is just the thing to encourage all the feels this December. Embrace the season of light in your home with these holiday lighting ideas.

Everyday Glam

You don’t need a big budget to add some holiday glitz to your home. Lighting is already a natural focal point of a room and can add a finishing touch to your room’s decor theme. And by focusing on one or two fancy elements in your lighting, you can go for some holiday glam no matter how much you’d like to spend. But figuring out where to splurge (or not) can be challenging. That’s why visiting a lighting showroom can be helpful – a professional lighting expert can show you a variety of options across price points so you can make the best choice.

Feel free to get luxurious—it’s the holiday season, after all. Brighten up a holiday dining table with a pendant light to complement the centerpiece. Consider a new finish for effect by mixing up your metallics. For example, a brushed nickel fixture can complement warmer metallics if there are other cooler hues in your holiday decor.

Subtle Sophistication

Treat lighting as you would any other piece of holiday decor. Consider how it can create areas of intrigue in a space and highlight special areas, like a holiday tree, tabletop, or vignette. For indoor lighting ideas, try matching a new light fixture to the metallics in your tree ornaments or other pieces. For lighting up smaller areas, consider a fixture with a different type of glass – use a milk glass fixture for a soft and diffused look. Even switching up your lightbulbs can have a dramatic effect, like vintage-inspired filament bulbs that impart a playful look.

And don’t forget about your home’s exterior. Colorful string lights are only one way to brighten up your eaves and windows. Well-placed uplights highlight landscaping and other holiday decorations. And a new porch light creates a welcoming feel and can help set the mood for family and friends. A pendant over the front door or wall light is a subtle way to bring some style to your home’s exterior, not to mention the added illumination it provides for safety.

Pops of Fancy

Even more good news, you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a touch of luxe. A little fancy goes a long way, especially during the holidays when your home is embellished with seasonal decorations. Here are a few ways to add a little luxe to your lighting selections:

Fixture size: For a dramatic effect, try going up a size if your ceiling can accommodate.

Shape: Play with shapes or forms to complement or contrast the furniture or decor theme.

Material: Antique brass or copper reflect light and create a warm glow, while a matte black finish offers a bold focal point in a room.

Light and Shadow

Integrating different types of light produces an environment for gatherings and good cheer. More specifically, use light and shadow to create an ambiance to match the wonder of the season.

December’s early sunsets can work to your advantage here, as the soft afternoon light gives way to dusk. Dimmer switches allow you to control the amount of light depending on the time of day and desired mood. Warm light bulbs cast a warm glow that’s cozy and inviting

Last but not least, don’t forget lots of candles. Lighting showrooms include a large selection of home decor for easy, one-stop shopping, including collections of candles and unique candle holders. From tapers and hurricanes to tea lights and lanterns, candles’ soft flickering flame invites everyone to get comfortable and stay awhile to take in the holiday with their favorite people.

Celebrate the season of light with a new fixture or two for your holiday home. Visit a Lighting Room member showroom near you to discover the possibilities.