LIGHTING TIPS & TRICKS

All rooms need to utilize a combination of lighting – ambient (background) lighting, task lighting for close up work (such as the popular Anglepoise lamp), and accent lighting to highlight particular features within the interior space. A balanced lighting scheme can he used to update a room and improve the atmosphere, but bad lighting choices can make a room instantly feel unwelcoming…

You should always think thoroughly about a lighting scheme before you start to alter any interior. Ask yourself some questions about how you’re going to be using the room and where you’re going to be placing your furniture, as these factors will determine what kind of lighting is required where.

MAXIMISE NATURAL LIGHT

Let light flood through any windows without interruption by removing any objects from window sills. Heavy curtains should be avoided in order to let as much natural light as possible to spill into the interior – replace them with blinds or drapes. It’s always a good idea to use mirrors within the interior to amplify the light – place one opposite the window to let the light reflect around the room. Light and bright paint colours should be used – the lighter the paint, the more reflective it will be. Also choose your flooring wisely – carpets will absorb and hold the light whilst glossy hardwood flooring will allow the light to bounce around the room.

CREATE A BALANCED SCHEME

Creating a balanced lighting scheme is essential for effective interior design. You can create various different atmospheres through the choice of lighting – from a warm and cosy environment to a really dramatic one. It’s all too easy to simply have a single bulb hanging in the centre of the space. Instead, the lighting should be layered throughout the entire room so that the correct kind of lighting is present in the areas where it is required. Task lighting can be used in areas whereby close-up work is going to be undertaken, such as reading or writing, as ambient lighting will not suffice. Accent lighting can be used to highlight your favourite paintings or architectural features – whether this is through the use of directional track lighting or simply an uplighter. Each lighting type should be controlled separately to avoid the interior space somewhat resembling the likes of Times Square or Blackpool Illuminations – nobody wants that in their living room 24/7!

This room in the image above presents a well balanced scheme – the large windows will allow light to flood through during the day whilst the combination of ambient, accent and task lighting allows for the scheme to be flexible enough to take you through from dawn to dusk, creating different atmospheres along the way.

More lighting tips & tricks coming soon…