How do you use lighting to create ambiance in your listing?

[Paula]

Hello everyone 👋

I hope you're having a great week 😎

Recently, I traveled to Colorado and stayed at an Airbnb that had sensors to adjust the brightness of the lights in almost every room. I was really surprised because I hadn’t seen this anywhere else. It got me thinking about the importance of lighting in different spaces and how it helps create a unique atmosphere.

What kind of lighting do you use in your property? What type of atmosphere are you aiming to create?

Share your experience in the comments 🌻

Thank you,

[Andrea6232]

Ciao @Paula ,

in our house in Venice, especially in the hot tub in our garden, we use lights to create a very romantic atmosphere 😍

Andrea

https://airbnb.com/h/la-casa-sul-canale-con-piscina-jacuzzi-in-giardino

[Paula]

@Andrea6232, I agree, the lights in hot tubs are a fantastic touch! Thank you for sharing this lovely picture 😍

Best regards,

[Bikash7]

Hey everyone! @Paula 

At Vacation Vibe Villa, I keep it simple with LED lights throughout the space. They’re energy-efficient and provide great brightness, but I’m considering adding some softer lighting elements to create a more cozy and inviting vibe in the future. Right now, the focus is on functionality and ensuring everything feels bright and welcoming.

Would love to hear how you use lighting in your spaces!

With smiles,
Bikki

[Alicia753]

Hi Paula,

Adjustable lighting can definitely enhance the guest experience by allowing them to tailor the environment to their comfort.

There are many properties that uses a mix of lighting types to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Try to include dimmable LED lights in common areas and bedrooms, which let guests adjust the brightness to their liking. In spaces like reading nooks or work areas, provide task lighting with options to change light intensity and color temperature, which can be particularly helpful for guests with visual preferences or sensitivities, like those with astigmatism.

For the overall atmosphere, I aim for a balance between cozy and functional. Warm, soft lighting in bedrooms and living areas helps create a relaxing environment, while brighter, more focused lighting in kitchens and bathrooms enhances functionality and safety.

Here are some suggested products:

1. Dimmable LED Ceiling Lights:

   • Look for flush mount LED fixtures that offer dimming capabilities. These are great for general lighting in living rooms and bedrooms.
   • Example: "Hykolity 13 inch LED Ceiling Light, 3000K/4000K/5000K Switchable, Dimmable Flush Mount Lighting Fixture."

2. Adjustable Task Lighting:

   • Desk lamps or floor lamps with adjustable brightness and color temperature settings are ideal for reading or work areas.
   • Example: "BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp with Swing Arm, Auto-Dimming and Hue Adjustment Features."

3. Smart LED Bulbs:

   • Smart bulbs can be controlled via a smartphone app or voice assistant. They offer the ability to adjust both brightness and color temperature.
   • Example: "Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb, Bluetooth & Zigbee compatible."

4. LED Strip Lights:

   • These can be placed under cabinets, along shelves, or behind TVs to add accent lighting that can also be dimmable.
   • Example: "Govee Smart LED Strip Lights, 16.4ft Wi-Fi LED Light Strip with App and Remote Control."

I hope this helps.

All the best,

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[Paula]

Hello @Alicia753 👋

Wow, thank you so much for all these great suggestions! Do you use all of these products? Do you have a favourite?

Looking forward to hearing more! 😊

Best regards,

[Chandra14]

To create an inviting ambiance in my Airbnb listing, I focus on a combination of lighting techniques: 

1.  Layered Lighting: I use a mix of​ ambient, task, and accent lighting to add depth and interest to each room. Ambient lighting ensures the space is well-lit overall, task lighting is perfect for activities like reading or cooking, and accent lighting is great for highlighting special features or creating a cozy corner.  LED Downlights​ and strip lights concealed in the false ceiling provide a good source of ambient lighting.
2.  Warm Light Bulbs: I prefer warm-toned LED bulbs (in the range of 2700K-3000K) because they create a cozy, welcoming feel. Cooler lights can be too harsh, so I avoid them to keep the space inviting.​ 
3.  Dimmers and Smart Lighting: I’ve installed dimmer switches and smart lighting systems to let guests adjust the brightness to their liking. This flexibility helps create the right mood and makes the space feel more comfortable and adaptable to different needs. 
4.  Statement Fixtures: I like to add unique light fixtures, such as a chandelier or pendant light, to give the space character. These fixtures also become standout features in photos, attracting more attention to the listing. 
5.  Accent Lighting: I use floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces to create cozy spots and draw attention to specific areas, like a reading nook or a piece of artwork. This creates a more inviting and personalized atmosphere. 
6.  Soft Night Lights: I provide soft, gentle lighting in hallways and near beds. This helps guests navigate at night without disrupting the overall ambiance.

 By thoughtfully combining these lighting techniques, I create a warm and welcoming environment that enhances the guest experience, making my Airbnb listing more appealing and comfortable.

With sincere regards.

Chandra Nath

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[Karen4131]

Hi @Paula , good question. I think many hosts put extra thought into lighting when they start renting out.

We have placed several atmospheric and charming solar-powered lamps around the property. The house is situated by a lake in a vast forest area, and it gets very dark at night.

We believe the lamps scattered throughout the landscape create a warm and secure atmosphere, helping to dispel the darkness, which can be a bit overwhelming, especially for city dwellers.

We used the house ourselves for several years without outdoor lighting, but we installed them this spring to prepare for renting it out, and we feel that the surroundings have become much more welcoming and appealing, so they are here to stay.

Best regards

Karen

[Allan53]

Hi Paula, 

In my cosy apartment listing in Melbourne Australia, I have dimable Led downlights and bedside read reading lamps with warm Led globes. Both comfortably controlled bedside.

Great to read the worldwide comments.

Best wishes to all.

Allan

[Ambyr1]

We want the cabin to feel cozy and peaceful. I love candles, but we don't allow open flames (except in the gas fire place and fire table outside), so we provide a bunch of battery operated candles and rechargable batteries. I also use pretty string lights and lanterns (all battery operated). 

[Carrie564]

Paula,

I like to be sure that there are lamps in every room so that the overhead lights can be turned off by guests looking for a calm atmosphere. I'm also sure to put task lighting at every desk and to use warm light bulbs. When I know a guest is coming in after dark, I like to leave a few lights on for them in the house along with the porch light and flood lights outside. I let them know when they are on the way and it helps them feel cared for. 

Carrie

[Fernando2531]

Hi Paula,

We are relatively new to AirBnB. Our approach is based on the surrounding environment in terms of natural lighting and our colour scheme to reflect as much natural light as possible. 

As you can see in the above two photos of both the outside and inside living space, we tried to combine a seamless feel between the natural environment our garden and the indoor living room. We believe the good gentle and inviting lighting comes from blending as much of the environment of the unit, with the natural colours and lighting outside. Earthy, green, oranges and natural colour always work best with any form of lighting.

Thanks for offering our perspective.

Fernando and Jennifer

[Jad825]

Hello Paula! That sounds like a nice experience in Colorado with the smart lighting sensors in the Airbnb. It must have been quite innovative and convenient to have the lights adjust automatically. In my property, I like to use a mix of natural lighting during the day and warm, dimmable LED lights in the evening to create a cozy ambiance. How about you? What kind of lighting do you prefer in your space?