When planning a dream home we consider style, design, furnishings, art, accessories, accents, paint colors, architecture, landscaping, and just about everything but light. Good lighting is often overlooked. Lighting should not be relegated solely to the task of illuminating your space from the dark. When the sun goes down, lighting can change the mood and feel of a space, create interesting transitions, add tangible style and flare and special effects that can dazzle and amaze you and your guests.
Here are some great tips to ensure lighting becomes an important factor in your homes design and style:
Don’t Try to Keep Up with Trends.
Styles come and go, what’s in this year might be out next. Track lighting was all the rage and now some consider it a fashion faux pas. Unless you have enough money to remodel your home every time trends changes, choose a style you will love for years to come. That being said, avoid lighting that maybe difficult to upgrade or change in the future. You may not be giving into every year’s changing trends but you may want to spruce up your lighting or change your styles every so often, so be sure you leave yourself room to grow. Lamps and chandeliers can easily be removed and replaced. Lamps are also one of the most versatile lighting options you can use. Do some savvy shopping and/or scavenging and you just might find the perfect replacement for you outdated or tired lighting. Lamps can also become art pieces unto themselves, think Tiffany, these lamps are still very beautiful and very sought after as collectible art objects.
Consider The Purpose of the Light.
Lighting serves many purposes from ambient light to task lighting. Choose the right lighting for the right job.
- Task lighting
This type of lighting design should highlight or focus an area or piece of art. Task lighting can be that modern lamp in the office, hanging light over the kitchen counter top, or art lights for paintings, which companies like Cocoweb specialize in. These lights will add life to an area or art piece and more function to your home’s work spaces.
- Accent Lighting
Accent lighting should be used to highlight special architectural designs or key features of your home’s design. You should not rely on this type of lighting to brighten a room or act as a room’s lighting source. Accent lighting should be used in conjunction with additional lighting sources and as their complementary counterparts.
- Ambient light
This light should be used as a soft light to fill a room. The key for ambient light is to mimic a natural sun lighted room. Ambient light should allow a relaxing ambiance.
Consider the Bulb.
The bulb has undergone many changes from its origin. The market has been flooded with a wide array of different bulbs, energy saving bulbs, halogen, incandescent, florescent, floods or spots. Light bulbs all have there own temperature and light wavelengths. Choosing the right bulb for the right job is important.
Energy efficient bulbs are a great way to save on the electric bill but don’t provide much light compared to their counterparts. These would not be great option for rooms need to be well lighted.
The incandescent bulb is the old stand-by we have come to know and love. Many are giving up these old style bulbs due to their ecological impact but this type of bulb offers the widest range of options and the best whitest light available.
The halogen light just might be the best of both worlds offering wavelengths close to the natural sun’s and lower energy requirements than the traditional incandescent bulb.
Choose the Right Light For the Right Room.
As mentioned before lighting, can set the mood and change the feeling a room provides. When considering your lighting design, make specific choices for each room. This will ensure the lighting is doing its job and add real ambiance.
Hallway lighting should be soft inviting and relaxing. Hallways are often entrances and points of transition. Do over light these areas.
The living room is where most of our time will be spent and where most of our guest will be entertained. This area should feel like it is lighted from the natural rays of the sun. Choose lighting which will fill the room and that is easily adjusted.
The dining room is where we gather to eat and drink. Lighting should be specific and task oriented. Over head lighting should provide adequate light for dinning and be adjustable for a softer feel after the meal is finished.
The kitchen is a work space, choose bright task oriented lighting. The right light will fill the room and highlight the workspace.
