Lighting 2.0

Yes the world is changing and many of us are spending more time in our homes today.  Many of my clients are wanting to create a home that reflects the feeling of both peace and tranquility as well as energizing creativity for “at home” work spaces.

I thought it might be helpful to share a few of my favorite lighting strategies with you.  Utilizing these can make your house feel much more like your home.  Good lighting can make a difference in how you feel about your home.  Turn on the lighting in a room and ask yourself if it feels warm, cozy and comfortable or perhaps a bit harsh and flat. Your lighting choices can make a smaller room appear open and airy, while well placed lighting can make large rooms feel more cozy and inviting.

Good lighting is a combination of form and function.  Choosing a decorative fixture based on it’s style is only half the equation.  The fixture must also have the ability to perform by offering  the amount of light needed for the area it is in.

One of the most common mistakes made in lighting a home is to only light a room from the ceiling.  Lighting a room exclusively from a ceiling creates harsh shadows and glare. This tends to make a room feel cold, flat and uninviting. If you want the room to feel more intimate and nuanced, try adding lamps to a space, including kitchen and bathroom counters. Consider adding light to some of your favorite wall art. If you have built ins I love installing under shelf lighting to showcase the contents.  Ideally these fixtures are hard wired, however, this can also be done quite economically using battery powered or rechargeable picture lights. Note that you may not get the same intensity as those fixtures which are hard wired. Add under cabinet lighting to your kitchen and laundry rooms.  This is considered task lighting and will make these rooms more comfortable and functional to work in.  The addition of wall sconce lighting adds a tremendous amount of warmth to any room.  Another trick is to add uplight.  This can be done by concealing lighting behind a large plant, which will provide the added benefit of creating beautiful art shadows on the wall and ceiling.

A well thought out lighting plan plays a very important role in the overall feel and function of a space.  It allows ones eyes to focus on the important aspects of a room.

Where to start?  Options are endless and can certainly be a bit overwhelming.  Here are a few basic things to keep in mind.  Check out our “Lighting Tips” on the site.