Illuminating Your Savannah Home: How to Select the Right Lighting for Every Room

by | Mar 12, 2025

Lighting as the Heart of Savannah Interior Design

 Savannah’s enchanting historic charm and coastal elegance inspire interiors that seamlessly blend beauty with practicality. Lighting is essential, serving as both a functional element and a vital design feature that elevates the atmosphere, showcases architecture, and enriches everyday living. At Broad Street Interiors, we’re excited to show you how the perfect mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting can transform your space. In this guide, we’ll explore how to select lighting that complements Savannah’s unique character and fully embraces your style. Let’s illuminate your home together!

Lighting in a Savannah home

Understanding Lighting Types: Ambient, Task, and Accent

  1. Ambient Lighting: The Foundation of Illumination
    Purpose: Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, creating a welcoming base layer for any room.
    Examples:
  • Chandeliers in entryways or dining rooms.
  • Recessed ceiling lights in open-concept spaces.
  • Flush-mount fixtures in hallways.
    Savannah Style Tips:
  • Opt for crystal chandeliers or lantern-style fixtures in historic homes to complement traditional moldings.
  • For coastal modern spaces, choose woven rattan pendants or driftwood-inspired designs.
    Aesthetic Impact: Soft, diffused ambient lighting enhances Savannah’s warm color palettes and fosters a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
  1. Task Lighting: Function Meets Elegance
    Purpose: Focused light for specific activities like cooking, reading, or working.
    Examples:
  • Under-cabinet LED strips in kitchens.
  • Adjustable desk lamps in home offices.
  • Swing-arm sconces beside beds.
    Savannah Style Tips:
  • Use brass or bronze finishes in traditional homes for a vintage touch.
  • Incorporate nautical-inspired task lights (rope details, glass globes) in beach cottages.
    Aesthetic Impact: Task lighting adds purposeful sophistication—think polished nickel reading lamps that double as bedside art.
  1. Accent Lighting: Drama and Depth
    Purpose: Highlights architectural features, artwork, or décor.
    Examples:
  • Track lighting to showcase gallery walls.
  • Wall washers for exposed brick or shiplap.
  • Picture lights above heirloom mirrors.
    Savannah Style Tips:
  • Uplight Savannah’s iconic arched doorways or fireplace mantels with discreet LED strips.
  • Use flicker-flame LED candles in historic homes for ambiance without fire risk.
    Aesthetic Impact: Accent lighting creates focal points, drawing attention to your home’s unique character.

Room-by-Room Lighting Guide for Savannah Homes

  1. Living Rooms: Blend Comfort and Grandeur
  • Ambient: A statement chandelier with dimmable controls.
  • Task: Floor lamps with adjustable heads for reading.
  • Accent: Wall sconces flanking a historic fireplace.
    Pro Tip: In open-concept spaces, use matching finishes to unify lighting elements.
  1. Kitchens: Practicality with Southern Charm
  • Ambient: Pendant lights over islands (try seeded glass for vintage appeal).
  • Task: Under-cabinet lighting for food prep zones.
  • Accent: Glass-front cabinet lighting to display heirloom china.
    Savannah Twist: Add a wrought-iron chandelier for farmhouse kitchens.
  1. Bedrooms: Serenity and Style
  • Ambient: Flush-mount fixtures with fabric shades for a soft glow.
  • Task: Wall-mounted lamps with USB ports for modern convenience.
  • Accent: LED strip lighting under canopy beds or inside closets.
  1. Dining Rooms: Timeless Elegance
  • Ambient: A grand chandelier (think tiered crystal for historic homes).
  • Accent: Buffet lamps on sideboards to highlight silverware or art.
  1. Bathrooms: Spa-Like Retreats
  • Ambient: Waterproof recessed lighting.
  • Task: Vanity sconces at eye level to eliminate shadows.
  • Accent: Backlit mirrors for a touch of luxury.

      Choosing Fixtures for Savannah’s Climate and Architecture

      • Humidity-Resistant Materials: Opt for brass, copper, or marine-grade finishes in coastal areas to prevent corrosion.
      • Historic Home Considerations: Replicate period-appropriate styles (gaslight replicas, Victorian sconces) while integrating modern efficiency.
      • Scale Matters: In high-ceilinged Savannah homes, oversized fixtures add grandeur without overwhelming the space.

      Common Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

      1. Overlooking Dimmer Switches: Essential for adjusting ambiance in Savannah’s golden-hour-lit rooms.
      2. Ignoring Color Temperature: Warm (2700K–3000K) tones enhance traditional interiors; cool (3500K–      4000K) suits modern spaces.
      3. Clashing Styles: A sleek chrome pendant may jar with a historic parlor—stick to cohesive finishes.

      Let Broad Street Interiors Light the Way

      In Savannah, where history and coastal beauty converge, lighting is key to crafting timeless and personal spaces. Whether restoring a Victorian gem or designing a modern loft, our team at Broad Street Interiors will help you balance ambient, task, and accent lighting to perfection.

      Ready to illuminate your home? Schedule a consultation today for custom lighting solutions tailored to Savannah’s unique charm.