Many homeowners underestimate the importance of lighting in interior design. Beyond having a major impact on the aesthetics and functionality of your home, indoor lighting is capable of affecting your emotions, mood, and, ultimately, well-being. And as we approach the short and dark winter days, indoor lighting is set to play an even bigger role in our lives.
Want to ensure that your lighting setup will make you happier and more productive? Here are four tips that will help you make that happen before winter rolls around!
- Layer Your Lighting Sources
Relying on a single source of lighting too much, particularly the overhead lights, can flatten any space. By incorporating a variety of different lighting sources, you can give a room more depth and contrast. The layered approach also allows you to highlight the focal points or other key features while preserving the overall character of a room.
For best results, use different types of lighting. For instance, task lighting provides illumination for specific activities, whereas accent lighting draws attention to particular objects.
- Define Each Room’s Purpose
Every room in your house has a purpose, and this plays a key role in selecting the right lighting fixtures for it. For example, a kitchen would benefit from bright task lighting, and a bedroom needs ambient, soft lighting to provide relaxation. Fixtures also influence the mood of a room, i.e. a statement chandelier above the dining table will be a big part of any formal event.
Think about which room would benefit from certain types of lighting, then match the two. On top of improving the room’s functionality, the right lighting will add to its ambiance.
- Consider Installing Dimmers
Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the level of lighting in a room to suit different moods, tasks, and times of day. Beyond offering you more control over your environment, dimmers reduce electricity consumption, contributing to cost savings. They also reduce the lifespan of most types of bulbs, saving you the trouble of having to replace them so often.
Design-wise, dimmers are very effective at creating a welcoming atmosphere. If you enjoy winding down in the evening, this is a great way to get that soft lighting you want.
- Pay Attention to Heat and Intensity
When looking to highlight specific features in a room, such as delicate artwork, it’s important to consider the heat and intensity of lighting. Being exposed to intense light for too long can cause the colors in paintings and photographs to fade over time. This is particularly common with inks, dyes, and pigments that are sensitive to UV radiation.
To light your artwork properly, pick LED bulbs over bulbs that emit excessive heat. Avoid high-intensity lighting with glazed or varnished works, as it can create glare and reflections.
