Very few things can set—or, let’s be real, wreck—a home’s mood quite like lighting. But while many people focus on a lightbulb’s temperature or the fixture itself, few consider how the light is diffused. That’s exactly why designers like Clara Jung refuse to use lights with clear glass orbs.
“A clear shade lets the bare bulb do most of the work, which creates a hot, unfiltered light,” says Jung, who runs Banner Day Interiors in San Francisco. “Even when the color temperature is right, the light lands harsh and just isn't diffused enough for my taste.”
While clear shades can be a disservice in virtually any room, Jung says they’re particularly unrelenting in the bathroom since that’s where many do their makeup. Harshness aside, Maryland designer Danielle Flax says this detail looks “less intentional.” Instead of incorporating fixtures that are harmonious with the rest of an interior’s details, transparent touches can read lackluster. A luminous after-thought, if you will.
Instead, the pros skip the see-through option and go for an opaque or tinted shade. “The impact is subtle, but powerful,” Flax explains. “Lighting goes from purely functional to something that shapes the mood of the room, making it feel calmer, more inviting, and ultimately more designed.”
Not only does this small tweak give your home a “complete” look, but Jung also points out another big draw: Everything just looks better. “The light becomes more flattering across the board,” she notes. “On people, on finishes, and on the room itself.”
Though Jung typically places opaque or tinted features in kitchens and bathrooms, she counters almost every room can benefit from this switch-up. “It softens and diffuses everything, which gives a space a more atmospheric quality,” she says.
The market is packed with everything from metal dome-topped table lamps and sconces with frosted orbs, so you’re guaranteed to find the right design for your space. When in doubt, Jung says you can’t go wrong with classic, off-white linen shades. “They’re quietly elegant and work across almost any style,” she notes. Or, if you want to get creative, a whimsical pattern can introduce texture or a very specific color palette.
Regardless of which finish you choose, remember that an opaque or tinted fixture is just one part of your overall scheme. Sarah Snouffer of Third Street Architecture in Washington, D.C. always layers her lighting. “We start with ambient lighting, which is daylight or the overall lighting for the space,” she says. “Fixtures that follow this [no-clear rule] provide the best spread and balance of ambient lighting in a space.”
Task lights illuminate a concentrated area for a very specific purpose such as under cabinets so you can meal prep, while accent fixtures round out the room. Though accent lighting can give a room a welcoming, lived-in look, Jung encourages you to cool it on the harsh overhead lights.
“Sconces and pendants are really underutilized, especially in hallways,” she says. “They add warmth and dimension you just can't get from a row of recessed cans.” Plus, since these fixtures are exactly where you would swap out that store-bought clear orb for a tinted opaque one, they’re the perfect way to score a gorgeous, thoughtful glow.
Looking to copy the look? We have you covered with a selection of hand-picked bright ideas.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
