OUR BEST TIPS ON HOW TO USE LIGHT IN YOUR HOME
You can’t see properly your guest at your dining table or believe that your lounge deserves a better lighting? It’s time for expert advice on all things lighting design, from creating ambience to sourcing the right pieces for your space.
The general rule of thumb for all interior lighting, you will need:
- A mixture of lighting at multiple levels throughout every room in your home.
- A well-planned lighting scheme that can transform the way your home looks, feels and functions.
- Not to be too even with lights – you want diversity and contrast.
- Lighting at varying heights, such as table lamps, floor lighting and lighting integrated into the ceiling in different directions.
INDOOR SPACES
The most important thing about lighting in general is that it reinforces the architectural idea of a space, but it also needs to create the right atmosphere.
Living room
In an open-plan living room, it’s crucial to make areas within the overall space, and have different possibilities for when you’re eating, watching a movie, cooking or relaxing with friends.
Kitchen
When choosing pendant lighting for above a kitchen island, install plenty of lighting overhead, and plenty of lighting under the cabinets so you will be just as comfortable boiling water for tea, as you would be preparing a gourmet meal.
Bedroom
Install indirect lighting on nightstands or use wall sconces so create a soft more intimate atmosphere and if you are into Feng Shui, don’t forget all the lights should be mirroring each other as a pair!
Bathroom
When it comes to lighting around a bathroom mirror, aim for a warm halo effect rather than anything too direct and clinical. Low-level lighting is also helpful… and do yourself a favour, avoid downlights straight on to the head as they can show up bad hair dye, roots and baldness!
Game Rooms
If your home features a game room with football or pool tables draw the attention to these features of the room. Just like your dining room table, hang large, well designed lighting units above your game tables. Smaller (or more intimate) lighting can be installed in the background or positioned on either side of the sofa.
OUTDOOR SPACES
If you have an outside area connected to your living space, create an additional zone by using outdoor lighting. If it’s not lit up in the evening, you only see your own reflection but if lit up, it becomes an extension of the space and an additional room.
HOW TO CREATE ATMOSPHERE WITH LIGHTING
Usually, we use lighting to create a very intimate ambience or a sense of drama. For the latter, you need to think of light as a sculptural object that will catch everyone’s attention. Also, a statement piece doesn’t necessarily have to be big but it should be central to a space. It’s all about balance, so try pairing a huge ceiling light with something sleek and minimal, such as a downlighter on the wall or a light from a cornice that highlights the architecture.
Play with scale to create the mood you want in your room.
For instance, in the living room, you might have one main ceiling light, but the addition of a floor lamp next to an armchair will evoke a sense of cosiness.
Think about the colour of the light itself.
You can create a mood depending on whether it’s for a workspace, a dining room or a bedroom. You can have the most beautiful feature light in the world, but if you put the wrong bulb inside, it won’t look right.
Layer lighting.
Use multiple light sources to make a room flexible and versatile. Create a conversation, using different heights with side lamps as well as floor standing and ceiling lights too. Opt for dramatic pendants as your main source of light and pair with statement table lamps to create an atmospheric mood.
This is where you create character as well as feeling and the amount of light can be adjusted for different times of the day or year.
