Carrie Underwood's innovative lighting technique perfectly 'celebrates the height and architecture' of her home

The clever lighting technique is designed to draw our eyes upwards – designers explain why the look works to uplift the space

carrie underwood on a gray background
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lighting has the power to define our spaces. From the trend of rejecting the 'big light' to the difference that a new lightbulb can make, these illuminating pieces are a focal point that completely shifts the energy of the home. In Carrie Underwood's house, a collection of long pendant lights is the star of the show.

Carrie's lighting idea brings together a collection of almost 20 blown glass balls, each encasing a lightbulb, hanging from the ceiling. Each light hits at a different height, creating visual interest and drawing the eye upwards in her beautiful living room.

The experts approve. Interior designer Jove Meyer states: 'Carrie Underwood's home has fabulous suspended glass light orb installations that are not only chic but add a contemporary vibe to her country home!' The modern living room look livens up the classic wood of the space.

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Jove Meyer

Jove Meyer crafts a vivid, colorful world inspired by his clients who dare to be different. Meyer set out to build a global design firm antithetical to his conservative and rigid upbringing by encouraging authenticity, celebrating diversity, and empowering marginalized communities. As a result, his work has been featured in Domino, Good Morning America, The Magnolia Network, The New York Times, Rachael Ray Magazine.

Experts also believe that the pendant look makes Carrie's living room ceilings look higher. Jove states, 'With a ceiling that high, the multiple hanging lights look so great and help bring the eyes up to celebrate the height and architecture of the space.' 

Melissa Read, head of design at Studio Burntwood, adds: 'This pendant light fixture is ideal for highlighting the double-height space and creating a focal point in Carrie Underwood's open-plan living space. This design features varying height orbs, which create a soft distribution of light.'

melissa read of burntwood studio
Melissa Read

Melissa Read attended the KLC School of Design in Chelsea before working at London's best-regarded interior design studios. Now Creative Director of Studio Burntwood, an interior design studio that specializes in luxury residential interior design for private clients and property developers.

Furthermore, they are perfect for use in front of a large window, like Carrie's. Jove says, 'These lights look fabulous during the day, with the sunlight reflecting off of the glass orbs, I can imagine them at night, dimmed low and creating a moody and romantic vibe that is perfect for dinner or a cuddle and movie on the sofa!'

However, if you are thinking of installing this look in your own home, remember, that it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Jove warns: 'The downside to these fab glass orbs is cleaning them, at that height and having so many they must be a pain to dust and manage, but I am sure she has people for that!' If you don't have a lot of time for cleaning, this might not be the best option.

Melissa advises: 'Quality lighting design has the power to instantly transform any space, and it is worth investing in. It's crucial to choose the right type of lighting based on its purpose and the desired atmosphere. For task lighting, like reading or cooking, you'll need a fixture that produces directional light. Ambient lighting, on the other hand, can be subtle and diffused, creating a warm and calming atmosphere. If possible, we'd recommend opting for dimmable lighting as it gives you complete control. '


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If you love Carrie's lights, and you have a high ceiling, this look just might be perfect.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.