When designing your home, remember the importance of lighting. It can greatly affect the overall atmosphere. Use these tips to help you make wise and visually appealing lighting decisions.
Multiple light sources are better than a single ceiling fixture, experts say. They also help reduce glare and shadows.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting installation Hartsdale, NY is the first layer that sets the tone and defines a space. The main light source illuminates a room and typically includes overhead fixtures such as chandeliers, track lighting, or recessed lights.
Depending on the space, you may need one or multiple ambient lighting sources to provide adequate illumination. Larger rooms typically require two or more ceiling light fixtures to create a well-lit, balanced environment.
Aim for a balance between ambient, task, and accent lighting in each space. This will give you options for varying your mood throughout the day, from feeling energized to relaxing after work.
When selecting your bulbs, look for a color that works with your interior design palette. It’s ok to use a mix of metal finishes, but try to stick with one dominant color. This will help your spaces feel more cohesive and consistent.
Task Lighting
How a room is lit affects more than just the look of the space. It also influences your comfort and your ability to work or relax in the space. For example, poor task lighting can cause eye strain. You can reduce this by opting for LED or full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs emitting soft white light and helping alleviate fatigue. You can add plants around your desk to increase oxygen levels and provide natural diffused lighting.
In a home office, task lighting is important for reading books or documents and working on the computer. It is a good idea to use dimmers to set different lighting levels to suit your moods throughout the day and evening. A pharmacy-style adjustable lamp is one of our favorite choices for task lighting, but you can even get a plug-in 3-D printed fixture that offers adjustability and is a little more discreet.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting focuses on smaller details and can highlight your home’s artwork, collectibles, or other elements. It is also great for creating mood and atmosphere within a room. The color and intensity of light can impact the ambiance of a space. Cooler colors create a brighter atmosphere, while warmer colors offer a more subdued feel.
Accent lights can be installed above a kitchen ceiling, in wall niches, or inside cabinets to wash over paneled walls and other detailing to create a richer visual experience. They can also highlight architectural features in the landscape, like a decorative coffer or a painted or papered detail on a wall or column.
They can be paired with downlights for more of a dramatic effect, as shown in this kitchen design. Accent lights can even be hidden from view by a piece of art, like this contemporary chandelier that doubles as a birdcage. This fixture is a perfect example of how using different metal finishes in the same home can add contrast and interest as long as they are consistent throughout.
Focal Point Lighting
Every room in your home can be enhanced with a focal point. This could be a stunning chandelier, a distinctive lamp, or elegant wall sconces. These lights draw the eye and create visual interest, adding a touch of drama or bringing attention to an architectural detail like a staircase or fireplace.
When selecting a light fixture, it’s important to consider the size of your space. Large fixtures can be too much for the room, creating an overwhelming effect. To determine the appropriate fixture size for your space, multiply the width and length of the area in feet to calculate the square footage. This estimation method will help ensure that the fixture looks proportionally correct in the room.
Another important consideration when selecting new lighting is energy efficiency. Make sure to choose bulbs that are certified by Energy Star. These will use fewer watts and last longer than traditional bulbs, lowering your utility bill over time.
