Here are lighting tips that can take your house to the next level.
Lighting is one of the most important elements of your space, may it be interior or exterior. When looking at the overall aura and ambiance of your environment, lighting plays a crucial role. Imagine it this way. If you go to two restaurants that have equally tasty food, but one’s lighting is far more attuned to the cuisine than the other, which one would you go to again? Lighting truly molds your space to what it is.
Depending on the mood you’re trying to create, the correct lighting can make you feel alert, relaxed, or inspired. Here are some lighting tips by experts at Octopus to ensure that your home owns the aesthetics you’re after.
Lighting plan
Before embarking on a lighting adventure, it’s pivotal to make a lighting plan. Whether you’re moving into a new home and planning for each room from the start or redecorating, a lighting plan can do wonders in helping you decide which fixture to put where.
Once you have all your room layouts, you need to decide which activities will take place in what room. For example, in rooms where you’d rather relax, you’d want dimmer, sensorial lighting. In rooms where you want to work out, the lighting should be bright. Dining rooms should be in areas with many windows, to let in the natural light during the day and to place ambient lighting during the evening.
You also need to note the architectural nuances you’d like to highlight in each room and also which parts of the room you want to light up. It’s not necessary to only stick to yellow or white lights. You could even go for unique colored lights to make the atmosphere you wish for. Plan out all these elements before going into the designing process.
Lighting layers
Instead of having one light at a time in certain areas, try layering them up in various levels of your room to make a gorgeous atmosphere. Known as uplighting, this process does justice to your room’s current size and shape. Light clusters make the room cozy, highlights on certain items make them stand out, and illumination in certain areas makes them focused places for reading or studying.
Your lighting should be useful
Don’t put lighting on for the sake of it. The lighting you place should have a purpose. Either to add an accent to the room or to help you. Depending on this, you can choose the type of lighting. For example, the kitchen needs more light so that you can see what you’re doing. Same for a study. No point having dim lights here, just for atmospheric but not functional purposes. Wardrobes and powder rooms work best with downlights and sidelights. The brighter the better.
Make sure to choose the right bulb
You should choose bulbs with care and not simply pick up what you see. Picking the right bulb depends on several things such as the brightness of your space, exactly what type of ambiance you want, just how energy efficient it is, or if you’re trying to make the lighting a statement point at home. You’ll find many resources online to help you search for the best bulbs.
Strategic use of spotlights
Spotlights are very useful for highlighting certain areas such as statement walls, sculptures, paintings, and other such aesthetic elements. Wall-mounted or floor spotlights are both good options depending on where you want to light to hit. If you have a fireplace or a mirror, adding lights brings an added layer of depth and coziness. Moreover, if you put spotlights at a dining table or entrance center, it can help guests feel more welcome and at home.
Keep lighting options for the night
Ever wake up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break only to stumble or trip on your way? Most people forget to turn on corridor lights while going to the bathroom, or don’t want to wake up their loved ones. A directional floor light can illuminate your hallways and also add a touch of warmth.
Try to stay minimalistic
Once you’ve decided on your theme, remember that the less ostentatious it is, the more effective it will be. Don’t try a hundred different lighting styles in one room. It’s fine to mix it up to some extent, but remember that overall uniformity is important. Way too many lights and patterns can make people uncomfortable. Also, if you’re opting for colors, don’t mix several bright and vivid hues at once. Combine different shades with neutral tones and colorful accents. Keep everything as luxurious and classy as possible.
Natural light
While it’s great to think about how your room will look post-sunset, you need to realize the importance of natural light too. What you place in areas with abundant natural light will affect the overall atmosphere of your home. For example, as most people work during the day, it would make sense to have the study in a room with plenty of windows. Also, if you are a breakfast lover, there’s nothing better than having breakfast in the sunlight.
Make sure that your curtains can reveal natural light from outside. If you have shimmering covers to decorate your room, then opt for lighter colors such as white to allow sufficient natural light to stream in. When placing your fixtures for evening illumination, fill in those spaces where the natural light hits for more coziness.
Statement piece
Statement pieces create a magnificent aura in any room, including chandeliers, pendants, and more. They form a central focus point in space and tend to inspire guests or act as a conversation starter. Ensure that if you place a statement piece in the room that the rest of your lighting remains minimal or sober.
Wiring
An important consideration for lighting that’s often overlooked is the wiring. Depending on how organized your wiring is, your lighting plan could become a complete hit or miss. For wall lighting, it’s easy to hide the wires behind walls or behind the ceilings, however, for lamps and standalone lights, you need solutions that will keep the wires out of sight. You could ask professionals to come in and create an organized wire setup behind your walls or under your floors.
Make sure that you check the voltage of lamps and bulbs before investing in them, and also check with an expert electrician if your house has enough power to shoulder the load. You don’t want to overload your house’s overall electrical capabilities. If you do, it could spoil your wires and could also increase your electricity bills in the long run.
What did you think of our lighting tips?
We hope you found our lighting tips useful. Follow these tips to transform your interiors and create the ambiance you want in any room. For further questions about electrical wiring or maintaining your electrical load at large, feel free to reach out to experts at Octopus. Our home maintenance professionals will ensure that your house stays in great shape while also maintaining gorgeous aesthetics. Call our toll-free number 800 3993 and one of our representatives will get back to you.
