Lighting is an essential element of good interior or architectural design; creating the desired ambiance for your space can make it timeless. Now that the Fall season is here, the leaves are starting to change, and the air is crisp. This is the perfect time to refresh your space by bringing the nature of the outdoors indoors with the warm color hues of textiles, mixed metals and lighting. Lighting is everything in a space, from highlighting art to changing the ceiling height in a room to making people look their best and creating a mood. Lighting can transform any space.
In today’s market, there are numerous light fixtures to help you tell your story. Start by knowing what you like and dislike about the room, how you would like to use the space and what mood you would like to create. As you plan the layout, understanding these things will help you design your vision. To begin, clip inspirational photos when you’re browsing websites or magazines and photograph spaces on your daily adventures. Layering the space with light is essential. Placing lighting at different levels in a space avoids glare and shadows while allowing your eyes to travel around the room. By using a mixture of lighting layers, you can create your mood from ambient lighting (general illumination), task lighting (undercabinet lighting or pendants), accent lighting (uplighting or reflective lighting using floor lamps or chandeliers) and decorative lighting to brighten a space. Remember, its function is also vital to ensuring good design.
Natural light is the most essential and beautiful light that can enhance your space. How can it impact your room? While reducing the need for artificial lights, natural light can improve well-being and mood as well as increase sustainability and your home’s value. If you decide to renovate, add windows and skylights, glass doors or sliding doors at the rear of the home. The other ways to bring in natural light are opening the drapes and blinds, placing large furniture away from the windows and placing a mirror strategically near windows to reflect natural light deeper into the home. This visually creates an added dimension to the space.
Fixtures come in different sizes, shapes, styles, materials and finishes. The number of fixtures on the market today is endless. Consider the following fixtures and how to use them in your space:
- Chandeliers – general lighting, usually a statement piece.
- Pendants – both task and ambient lighting; typically suspended from the ceiling over the counter in different styles, shapes and colors. When used over the bedside tables, they provide
good task lighting, as well as mood lighting. - Ceiling-mounted – excellent source of ambient lighting and are practical in areas with a lot of activity.
- Wall-mounted (sconces) – fixtures provide ambient task and accent lighting, a good light source in the foyer, home theater and outdoors.
- Recessed lighting – a general, task and ambient lighting and can be used anywhere in the home and outdoor covered areas.
LED lighting has taken the world by storm with its advanced technology. It represents the state-of-the-art in the industry, outclassing most other types of lighting in terms of energy efficiency, design flexibility and colors of light available. With LED lighting, the shapes and scales allow lighting designers to be creative. To make a statement or to add texture to the space, choose LED fixtures made from natural rattan, vegan leather, wooden beads, paper, etc. CRI (color rendering index) is the measurement of light in relation to how it affects the appearance of a color. CRI is rated from 0-100 with 100 being the closest to natural light. This technology is a game changer in how selecting the correct bulb for your fixture will ensure the vibrancy of your fabrics, textures and wall colors, even you! This basically refers to color temperature. Understanding the color of the light is important. The color should not be too warm or too cool and the recommended kelvins are between 2700-3500K.
Lighting has so many different components; each area is fascinating to explore. Make your project fun by using both your natural light and artificial light to create a mood.
Special thank you, ARTERIORS, for providing the photos. Click HERE to see the entire line and contact Marianne Parker at mparker@arteriorscontract.com with questions on where to find the product at your local retailer. ARTERIORS has new lighting products available later in the month.
4 Must-Do’s for Refreshing your space with Light
Dimmers: Today, there are many different options with dimming systems. A dimmer is suggested for every light switch in the home. Most LED lights now have dimmer capabilities available on each model.
Cords: Use silk cords and rewire an existing fixture to suspend lights from the ceiling. Example: A pendant hanging on both sides of the bed over a night table instead of a lamp. This allows for more usable table surface area and for added illumination above when reading in bed.
Power Strips: Look for ones with a silk or cotton cord (more stylish) that has UBS and electrical outlets.
Smart Lighting: You control the lighting from your phone. Great for when you travel or for those late nights, just put on a timer and schedule it!