Well-chosen lighting solutions can not only make your home brighter but also transform how the interior looks and feels. From creating different moods for different occasions to highlighting the architecture of your home, to making specific tasks easier to perform. Every interior designer will tell you that home lighting plays a crucial role in emphasising certain elements of your décor and enhancing functionality and aesthetics. To achieve optimal results and create a well-lit and visually appealing home, proper placement is key.
Before you set off to the lighting stores looking for the latest light fixtures, we will go over a list of ideas for the variety of options at your disposal, so you can make the best choices for your home.
Comfortable Ambient for the Living Room
The living room has to meet the highest expectations. As a space used by everyone in the house for relaxing and winding down, entertaining guests, or having meals, it has to offer a range of moods. And if you have an open-plan living room, then you need to create separate areas within the overall space. You can achieve this with diverse and contrasting lighting solutions.
Ambient lighting such as overhead fixtures, big chandeliers, or recessed lights will provide general illumination, but for a more cosy, intimate atmosphere or a bit of drama, you want something more sophisticated and delicate, like a downlight, a light from a cornice, or a floor lamp. Think of it as a sculptured object that will attract attention but not overwhelm you. Layers of lights can give you balance, so pair a large ceiling fixture with something sleek and minimal. This form of scaling will allow you to create different moods.
If you have beautiful art pieces, book shelves, or architectural features that you want to draw the eye to, then you need accent lighting such as wall scones or picture lights. This type of lighting blurs some areas and gives a focal point to others, thus creating a theatrical look.
Plenty of living rooms are connected to outdoor spaces as well. To avoid staring at your own reflection in the evenings, think about illuminating these zones as well to make them part of the space.
Functionality for the Kitchen
It is obvious that kitchen lighting should be about functionality, but there’s no reason why you should sacrifice aesthetics. Task-focused lights above the stove and sink area will ensure clear visibility, and downward-facing under-cabinet lighting will illuminate the countertops and make food preparation easier. For a touch of style, pick attention-grabbing pendant lights to hang over the kitchen island. This will make this area a feature of the room.
Task Lighting for the Home Office
Since a lot of us are working from home, it’s worth considering what kind of light we need for our home offices. Even if you don’t have a separate room for an office, task-oriented fixtures will support your productivity. A desk lamp with adjustable brightness and directionality is vital for providing ample light for work tasks. Combine this with ambient lights to decrease eye strain and create a comfortable workspace.
Welcoming Foyer and Safety for the Hallway and Staircase
The foyer is where people get their first impressions, so it’s important to create a welcoming atmosphere. Lighting options like chandeliers, wall scones, and pendants will not only impress but also cover the area with soft and inviting light. For long, narrow hallways and staircases where there is little natural light, make sure you have both bright lights for safety reasons and a combination of wall fixtures and recessed lights for parts you want to highlight. If you make frequent trips to the kitchen in the middle of the night, then spotlights at the treads are one way to get there without tripping.
Mellow Mood for the Bedroom
The bedroom is a space where the light should be soft and soothing, creating a calming atmosphere and allowing you to relax before sleeping. The best solution is a combination of ceiling fixtures and wall scones or bedside lamps if you like reading in bed. Having the option to adjust the intensity with dimmers is even better. Pay attention to the position of the ceiling light, as you don’t want it over the bed or close to the pillows, where it will be too harsh for your eyes.
Options for the Bathroom
Having more options for bathroom lighting is vital for both practical needs and creating the right atmosphere. Lately, it has become possible to upgrade the bathrooms with integrated lights like in the kitchens, so you will find illuminated vanity units and mirrors with a soft glow in most lighting stores. Wall scones on either side of the mirror will help eliminate shadows on the face and provide clear visibility for grooming activities. Choose lights suitable for particular areas, such as the shower, but don’t be afraid to include something more artistic as well as functional. Dial up the decoration with a pendant or a geometrical chandelier and create an impressive design moment.
In Conclusion
Mixing lighting styles and designs with the purpose of the space in mind will bring out the best of ambient lighting in your home. Of course, don’t forget about the colour of the light. Traditional incandescent bulbs will give you a warm and inviting glow; halogens offer a brighter and whiter light, and with LED lights, you can choose from white to amber or anything in between. Make sure you pick the right bulbs for your statement pieces to support their beautiful features.
