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).

01 Try an Eye-Catching Flush Mount
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Luminous Steel Craft Flush Mount - Hand-Blown Cut Crystal Glass Shade with Optical Illumination and Tumbled Brass Finish for for Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room

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
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Timeless Elegance Fluted Crystal Chandelier with Luxe Metallic Finish - Timeless Elegance, Fluted Crystal Effect, Customizable Lighting, Perfect for Dining Room Light Fitting and Living Room Chandeliers

"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
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Elegant Articulating Mid-Century Modern Metal Sconce - Stylish and Functional Wall Lights for Living Room

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 Drop a Low Pendant in the Bathroom
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Textured Disc Pendant Light with Perforated Metal and Salt-Blasted Glass, Adjustable Hanging Height, Contract Grade Durability, Light Bronze Finish for Dining Room, Living Room, and Bathroom

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.

05 Add a Variety of Light Sources
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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.

06 Replace Bedside Table Lamps With Sconces
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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."

07 Hide a Lamp in a Bookcase
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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.

08 Hang Globe Lights Over an Island
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Modern Industrial Forged-Iron Pendant Light - Adjustable Height Hanging Light Fixtures, Suitable for Dining Room And Living Room

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."

09 Experiment With Oversized Styles
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Theresa Crystal Modern Chandelier - Maria Theresa Design with Clear Crystal and Precision Cut K9 Crystal - Stylish Hanging Light Fixture Perfect for Your Living Room

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.

10 Design in Odd Numbers
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Candle-Like Pendant Light with Recycled Glass Globe - Timeless Design Adjustable Height Light Fixture for Entryway，Dining Room, Living Room, and Bedroom

When you're designing multiple lights of the same style in your space, work with odd numbers: This method helps add an element of balance and symmetry to your space with minimal effort. We love how these matching white pendant lights draw attention to this living room's open dining nook.