Unless you're moving into a sprawling updated penthouse, renting apartments often comes with a unique set of issues—and lighting is no exception. But you don't have to sacrifice living in a stylish home. If your space is lacking natural light, interior designers have plenty of ideas to upgrade your home and let the light shine in. The right lighting can set the mood, save precious space, and improve the functionality of task-oriented rooms like the kitchen and bathroom.

We asked interior designer Kevin Dumais for his tips, tricks, and secrets when it comes to apartment lighting. Whether you're into minimalist lighting or you're leaning in a more maximalist direction, we've got you covered. Learn which types of lights will work best in your space (no matter how small).

If you feel like your home could use a dose or two of lighting improvements, keep scrolling to browse clever apartment lighting ideas and brighten up your space.

01 Try an Eye-Catching Flush Mount

Crystal Flush Mount with Antique Bronze Finish - Contemporary Design for Living Ceiling, Ideal for Dining Room and Modern Living Room Fixtures

Living room lighting ideas are limitless because there are so many ways to design this space. However, we've noticed that one thing most apartment living rooms have in common is low ceilings, which can be a challenge. Luckily, you can trick the eye into elevating your ceilings by installing an eye-catching flush mount chandelier.

02 Design for Day and Night

Vintage Glamour Black Iron Chandelier with Grey Glass Beads and Crystal Droplets - Circular Iron Frame with Black Finish and Vintage Glamour - Ideal for Ceiling Lamp for Bedroom and Dining Room Light Fixtures

"When considering oversized fixtures or lanterns, we like to make sure they look great lit and unlit," Dumais says. That way, it can light the way when it's lit and function as practical art when it's not (we always love a good double-duty piece). The black chandelier in this living room helps draw the eye up, adds visual interest, and provides multi-dimensional lighting in the space.

03 Install Kitchen Task Lighting

Curl Perforated Sconce 2-Light - Modern Light Fixture for kitchen, Bedroom Wall Sconces

If you're working with simple overhead lighting in the kitchen, improve the room's form and function by adding a plug-in or hardwired task wall light. Not only will it make your space feel layered and chic, but it can create a moody ambiance that makes cooking even more enjoyable.

04 Make It Multi-Functional

We love the swing-arm lighting in this bedroom—not only because of its stunning style, but also for its functional design. With three different bulbs, it's easy to switch on the settings you need at various times of the day. Turn on all three when you're getting ready in the morning, and opt for the small bedside bulb to curl up with a book at night. The wall-mounted design saves valuable surface space in a small bedroom.

05 Style a Focal Point

"Focal lighting highlights important surfaces, art, and objects," Dumais says. "It’s the more playful, visually impactful layer of light that drives the character of a space." We love how the modern pendant fixture serves as a focal point in this living room, complementing the furniture's gold accents and brightening up the entire space.

06 Drop a Low Pendant in the Bathroom

Elegant Alabaster Refinement Pendant - Natural Alabaster with Steel and Tumbled Brass - Ideal Hanging Light Fixture for Bedroom, Perfect Pendant Light for All Your Bedroom Needs

Most run-of-the-mill apartments have only overhead lighting in the bathroom, which is less than ideal for getting ready in the morning—especially if the room is low on natural light. To make your bathroom lighting more dimensional, add funky sconces flanking the vanity mirror. If you're looking for a more space-saving solution, try styling a low pendant that hangs at the standard height of a sconce.

07 Add a Variety of Light Sources

Make your living room feel dynamic with several light sources dispersed in a triangular pattern around the room at differing heights. Use a variety of styles for an ultra-cozy vibe. "In any space, it's important to have multiple layers of light: ambient, focal, and statement-worthy. A glowing pendant, large floor lamp, or table lamp will illuminate the envelope of a room and make it more inviting," Dumais suggests.

08 Install Dimmer Switches

Don't forget to put your lights on dimmers. During the day, your new fixtures can shine bright to illuminate your space—but in the evening, it's nice to create a warm, relaxed glow with the flick of a switch. In this living room, soft lighting is complemented by burning candles that make us want to curl up and stay forever.

09 Hang a Picture Light

Modern Soleil Fluted Glass 2-Light Wall Sconce - Perfect for a hallway or flanking a painting or Bathroom, Bedroom Wall Sconces

Picture lights are traditionally used to showcase paintings or library shelves, but they can double as a reading sconce if hung directly over a banquette or chair. Best of all, a picture light will instantly elevate your space and make it look more expensive—and we consider that a win. Cozy up to the light's soft glow when you're going for a moody vibe.

10 Replace Bedside Table Lamps With Sconces

Augustine Alabaster Sconce - Contemporary Natural Stone Lighting for Home Decor - Ideal for Living Room, Kitchen, and Bedroom Wall Lights

Replace your bedside lamps with sconces to save precious nightstand space. "If you have a tight space, a sconce or pendant is a nice alternative to your typical bedside lamp," Dumais advises. "You can get the scale of light and quality you need without sacrificing valuable surface real estate."

11 Hide a Lamp in a Bookcase

If you're short on space, hide a smaller lamp in a bookcase. "A small lamp can be nestled on a bookshelf or inside a cabinet to add highlights and whimsy," Dumais mentions. It will also add dimension to your lighting plan without overtaking the surfaces on your credenza or side tables. Pick a lamp that's a little sculptural and interesting to look like a piece of art on the shelves.

12 Hang Globe Lights Over an Island

There's something very Parisian about globe lights, whether in a table lamp or pendant form. Style aside, they're also functional and radiate plenty of romantic, diffused light. "Globe-shaped pendants are a terrific source of ambient light," Dumais adds. "In a kitchen, we always make sure we have a light source that casts light onto the ceiling, which indirectly lights the room."

13 Opt for Indirect Lights in the Kitchen

Indirect light makes a kitchen feel more welcoming than harsher direct light, which can sometimes feel like a spotlight. No one needs that added pressure when chopping and stirring. Update fluorescent fixtures or ceiling lights with soft, inviting lighting that emits a bright glow.

14 Experiment With Oversized Styles

Whether you're working with a large entryway or a small apartment living room, oversized pendant lighting is an excellent way to play with scale. Opt for a bright color or a fixture with metallic hardware to stand out, or choose neutral hues that blend into the ceiling. We love how this woven light adds a burst of texture to the minimalistic room without upsetting its neutral color scheme.