Light the Way: How Lighting Shapes the Story of Your Home

Before founding BOLD SMAC DESIGNS, Chip Clayton and Aaron Linker spent over two decades in the film industry—where lighting is never random. It’s purposeful. Emotional. Narrative. The way a scene is lit tells the audience how to feel before a single word is spoken.

That’s the same energy we bring into every home we design.

We believe lighting is one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) tools in residential design. A well-lit space doesn’t mean flipping on every overhead. It means layering light with intention—just like a director would on set.

Here’s how to make your home lighting both cinematic and supremely livable:

🎬 Use Multiple Light Sources

Great lighting is never one-note. It begins with ambient lighting—think recessed fixtures, flush mounts, or a central chandelier—to create your foundation. But that’s just the start.

Next, layer in task lighting. These are your pendants over the kitchen island, your reading lamp beside the armchair, the under-cabinet LED strips that make late-night snack prep feel a little more magical.

Finally, add accent lighting. Wall sconces, picture lights, uplights, or a strategically placed floor lamp bring dimension and drama. These subtle touches elevate a space from functional to fabulous—bringing texture, warmth, and mood.

🎬 Dim the Scene

One rule we stand by: recessed lighting should always come with dimmers. The ability to adjust your lighting gives you control over the room’s energy. Bright and focused during the day, soft and ambient by night. Hosting friends? Keep it glowing. Winding down? Dial it back.

Lighting shouldn’t be static—it should move with you.

🎬 Color Temperature Matters

On set, every bulb is selected with purpose. At home, it should be no different. Color temperature—that is, how cool or warm your light feels—can shift the mood of a room entirely.

• Cool white (5000K+) is crisp and energizing. Perfect for morning routines or workspaces.

• Neutral white (3500K–4000K) offers clarity without the harshness—a great all-day default.

• Warm white (2700K–3000K) is cozy, intimate, and ideal for evenings or bedrooms.

Pro tip: Invest in adjustable hue lighting so you can tailor the tone based on time of day, activity, or even the memory you're creating. Dinner party? Warm and golden. Midday Zoom call? Bright and balanced.

The Bold SMAC Take

Just like a director sets the mood with light, you can craft the emotional tone of your home with every bulb, fixture, and flick of a dimmer. Layered lighting is more than a design tip—it’s a storytelling tool.

Because your home isn’t just where you live. It’s your personal stage. And when it’s lit just right? Every moment feels a little more cinematic.