Beginners can effectively light furniture 3D models using three-point lighting—key, fill, and backlight—to highlight details without harsh shadows.
The key light (main source, like a simulated window) goes at a 45° angle to emphasize texture (e.g., wood grain or fabric). A softer fill light opposite the key reduces harsh shadows, keeping the model balanced. A backlight behind the furniture separates it from the background, defining its shape clearly.
Match light color to the style: warm tones for wooden pieces, cool for modern metal. For software like Blender, start with "Indoor Studio" presets—they build intuition before manual tweaks.