How I Created the Perfect Family Room Glow This Holiday Season
We sat down with Maren Ellis, Interior Lighting Designer, on her approach to her ultimate styling approach for the holidays. Read her secrets, find inspiration, and discover how lighting can transform your home this season. Get into the holiday spirit and learn all about how you can be the ultimate host and hostess at home his magical time of the year.
When the holiday season rolls in, my family room becomes the heart of my home—and the lighting has everything to do with that. As a designer, I’ve always believed that light is more than illumination; it’s an emotion. This year, I wanted to create a space that balanced festive radiance with everyday comfort. With the right blend of LED lighting, string lights, fairy lights, and thoughtfully chosen bulbs, the transformation was magic.
My centerpiece, of course, was the Christmas tree. Instead of relying on traditional incandescent strands, I layered warm-white LED string lights from the inside out. The trick is to start near the trunk for depth, then spiral outward so the glow feels dimensional rather than flat. LED lights stay cool to the touch and are wonderfully energy-efficient, which makes them perfect for long holiday evenings. I added a few strands of micro fairy lights as the final layer—tiny points of sparkle that twinkle like frost.
Next came the coffee-table moment. This is where many people overlook lighting opportunities, but it’s one of my favorite secret tricks. I placed a shallow wooden tray in the center, added a cluster of LED flameless candles, and wove a delicate chain of battery-powered fairy lights between them. This created a soft, low-lying glow that keeps the room feeling cozy without competing with the tree. The layered lighting also helps eliminate shadows, making the space feel fuller and warmer.
Task lighting plays a role too. I swapped out a few standard bulbs in my floor and table lamps with high-CRI LED bulbs to make colors look richer—especially the reds and greens of holiday décor. Dimmable bulbs were essential so I could shift the room’s mood throughout the day, from bright mornings with coffee to relaxed, amber-toned evenings. Lighting temperature matters: for a cozy family-room ambiance, I stay in the 2200K–2700K range.
My last little secret? Accent lighting in unexpected places. I lined the inside of my bookshelves with flexible LED strip lighting and added a low-profile light bar behind the TV to reduce eye strain and add a halo effect. These subtle touches elevate the entire room, making it feel intentionally designed while still inviting and comfortable.
With just a few strategic lighting products and a bit of creativity, anyone can create a warm, festive family room that shines all season. The right lighting doesn’t just brighten a space—it brings people closer together.
