Ask any designer to name the top five most important elements of a comfortable, inviting home or office environment, and 9 out of 10 will include “lighting” in their top 3.
These days, so much can be done with lighting. The only limit is your creativity. In this blog post, we’ll explore what good lighting can do, as well as some of the types of lighting that will help you to achieve your perfect atmospheric goal.
The first thing to consider where your lighting is concerned is, what is your overall purpose? Are you attempting to illuminate a very large space where people will have to be able to function for longer periods of time on a utilitarian level, such as an office? LED or fluorescent could serve you well here. If a different objective is sought, such as creating a warm after-dark mood for a family room, ambient is the way to go: perhaps a retro-mod chandelier would do the trick. I must mention LED here, as well: it’s simply one of the most versatile and energy-efficient options out there. Be sure to check it out.
Next up, ask yourself: what are the colors that you are working with, and what would you like them to convey in your space? Light determines energy, and it can “direct” your wall and accent colors in much the same way that a conductor directs an orchestra to create music. Track lighting is well-known for its ability to soften wall hues. Recessed lighting can actually draw attention away from the walls, which may be your goal in a smaller or dark-colored area.
Do you own photos or paintings? These works of art will require special consideration where your lighting is concerned, which leads us to the topic of directional lighting. When attempting to draw attention to centerpieces – wall-based or otherwise – consider options like hanging adjustable lamps, or wall lighting to bring out the best in your collection. Floor lighting is also a fun way to create dramatic rays that illuminate the room in very interesting ways. If you’re more the traditional type, ceiling lighting can be manipulated to paint the mood in any room.
The need for the right lighting can never be denied. And since it now comes in so many wonderful packages, you’re sure to have a blast choosing how best to outfit your atmosphere with it. In our next post, we’ll take a closer look at LED lighting and how it really stacks up against the competition.
Meanwhile, we want your great lighting ideas. Send us some photos!
