Bright ideas
Lighting is one of the most overlooked and yet important elements of good interior design. After all, there is little point in creating luxury surroundings if they cannot then be appreciated properly or if there is insufficient light to be able to carry out even the most basic of tasks. In addition though, lighting is also essential in terms of creating the mood and ambience of a living space, so getting it right from the start is vital.
When thinking about lighting, it tends to be artificial light that comes to mind. Optimising the use of natural light, however, is also key, both in terms of practicality and in order to be able to appreciate the beauty of the space. When creating an interior design scheme from scratch taking both artificial and natural lighting into consideration, even within an existing design there is much that we can do to improve matters.
Where artificial lighting is concerned, there are a number of different types. Accent lighting, for example, can be extremely effective when used to display paintings or to accentuate plants or objects of art, although the angle of the lighting clearly needs to be just right to achieve the very best effect.
Task lighting is another type of lighting which is important in just about every room of a house. In sitting rooms and studies, for example, it helps to avoid eyestrain when reading or working, while in the kitchen it ensures that tasks can be carried out safely. Adequate task lighting is also essential in the bathroom for the purposes of shaving or applying make-up for instance.
Here are some types of lighting to consider.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting is perfect when you want to showcase a piece of art or a special piece of furniture or other item. Since light draws the eye, it will bring attention to the features in your room that you wish to highlight.
Recessed lighting
Recessed lighting is a good choice for a room that needs extra light throughout the day. Because the lighting won’t interfere with the existing decor, it can work in almost any room. It provides abundant light without taking up a lot of space or interfering with other aspects of the room.
Lamps
Using lamps are a way to add not only additional lighting, but also punches of colour. If possible, see how much light the lamp gives off before leaving the store. Many lamps serve as decoration more than as a light source and give off very little light. If you love the lamp, but it doesn’t give off quite enough light, consider changing the shade which will usually solve the problem.
Hanging light features
Chandeliers and smaller hanging lamps can be beautiful as well as functional. A trip to the local home improvement store will quickly show you how overwhelming the choices can be.
You’ll want to select lighting that blends in with your existing décor. For example, a crystal chandelier in a country themed dining room probably isn’t the best option. If you don’t choose carefully, your lighting may stick out like a sore thumb and become more of an eyesore than a lovely accent.
The writer is an interior
consultant
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