Glow Up: Why Indirect Lighting Is the Secret to Beautiful, Balanced Interiors

Discover how indirect lighting can transform your home into a warm, welcoming space with tips from a Tasmanian interior and building designer.

Soft Lighting, Strong Impact

Lighting has the power to make or break a space—and when it’s done well, you barely even notice it. That’s the magic of indirect lighting. Instead of spotlighting everything, it creates atmosphere, depth, and warmth in the most subtle and elevated way.

Whether it’s a glowing shelf, a floating vanity, or a gently lit ceiling recess, indirect lighting is one of my favourite tricks for adding understated luxury to everyday spaces.

What is Indirect Lighting?

Indirect lighting (also called ambient or concealed lighting) is designed to bounce light off surfaces—like ceilings, walls, or cabinetry—rather than shining directly at you. This diffused approach creates a soft, glare-free glow that flatters interiors and the people in them.

Where to Use Indirect Lighting in Your Home

You’ve probably seen it in high-end interiors or hotels, but here’s where it works beautifully at home:

• Above or below shelving – it turns functional joinery into a design feature.

• Under vanities or kitchen cabinets – for soft night lighting or added task lighting when cooking.

• In wall niches or around mirrors – ideal for bathrooms or entryways. I’ve even used it in showers!

• Cove ceilings or raked rooflines – bounce light upwards for drama and calm.

• Behind bedheads, under stair treads, or within display cabinets – to add mood and draw focus.

How I Use It in My Own Home

Lighting decisions are deeply personal—and in my own home, I’ve made deliberate choices to create warmth, clarity, and function with a mix of indirect techniques:

• Black recessed downlights throughout to avoid glare and reduce light overwhelm. No glary, surface down lights for me!

• Gimble spotlights to showcase selected artwork and create drama.

• LED strip lighting as task lighting over the kitchen bench and cooktop. I’ve even got it tucked away on movement sensors in the coffee nook and pantry cupboard.

• Warm, vertical LED strips in a fluted, glass-fronted cabinet for soft display illumination.

• Uplights instead of downlights in key areas to bounce light gently around the room. The raked ceiling in our dining space is super cosy and it allows my feature pendant to really ‘shine’.

• Wall lighting and lamps in soft, warm tones for layered luxury. Sometimes you just don’t want to feel overwhelmed by too much light.

• Cool white (daylight) LED lighting in my studio for true-to-colour material and paint selection.

• Bright daylight tones in the shower to help me feel refreshed and alert.

• Sensor LED strip lighting under the ensuite vanity—so I can sneak in during the night without waking anyone(…me….I’m anyone!)

Every choice was made with purpose—to support the way we live, work, and most importantly, feel at home.

Need Lighting Advice? Just Ask our Electrician

Lighting is complex—and the right placement, tone, and control systems can be the difference between a space that feels “meh” and one that sings.

That’s why I now offer Ask the Electrician—a value-add consult where clients can tap into my husband’s expertise as a licensed electrician. We team up to ensure every design has a super practical lighting and switching plan that looks and feels beautiful. Advice on smart technology, switching position, product ranges - it’s one more way I help you avoid costly surprises and get things right from the start.

Design Tips for Glowing Results

• Pair with dimmers to control ambience throughout the day and night. For light when you need it, and extra cosy when you don’t!

• Use warm white (2700K–3000K) for living, sleeping, or entertaining zones.

• Choose cool white/daylight (4000K–5000K) for functional areas like studies, studios, or bathrooms.

• Use opaque diffusers for even light without harsh “dots” from LED strips.

• Recess light sources where possible so you see the glow, not the fitting.

• What do you want to SEE? Start with this question - and plan from there.

Design Moment: The Bar Nook

In our Warrabindah project, soft under-shelf lighting turns a practical bar into a sculptural feature. The light highlights timber grain, showcases the black cabinetry, and casts a glow that feels elevated and intentional.

Ready to Rethink Your Lighting?

If you’re in Tasmania and planning a renovation, new build, or just want to make your home feel a little more beautiful, I’d love to help.

Lighting is more than just downlights—let’s design something that supports your lifestyle, feels like you, and looks incredible at any hour of the day.

Reach out here or follow along on Instagram @tahleahhoyledesign for more lighting ideas, design tips and project updates.