A Guide to Illuminating Your Home
Why is Illumination Important? • Proper illumination ties together home décor and finishes a room’s aesthetics • A properly illuminated “well-lit” room refers to more than its brightness. • A “well-lit” room can make small rooms appear roomier and large rooms cozier. It creates mood and personality, and enhances the room’s natural beauty.
Understanding Light Sources • There are 3 types of light sources you can work with: General Illumination, Ambient Lighting and Task Lighting. • General Illumination refers to lights that wash the room with illumination. • Ambient lighting are pools of light that create emotion and mood. • Task lighting are for tasks such as reading and cooking.
Working with Light Sources • Using a combination of general illumination, ambient and task lighting creates dimension and atmosphere in a room. • General lighting often comes in the form of single over head light, ceiling fixture, or high hats. • Ambient lighting can take shape as dimmable chandeliers, wall sconces and accent lamps. • Task lighting includes desk lamps, bedside lamps, work lights and kitchen pendants.
Different Rooms Have Different Needs
• Bedrooms: Require a combination of general (overhead), ambient and task lighting such as bedside table lamps or swing arm lamps. • Kitchens: For kitchens use task lighting for countertops and kitchen islands. Install under cabinet lighting to help illuminate counter surfaces. • Bathrooms: Will usually require vanity lighting over or besides mirrors in addition to an overhead light. Powder rooms can have wall sconces and/or an overhead light.
Different Rooms Have Different Needs • Living Rooms: Living rooms need to be adaptable to different situations. Install permanent fixtures (ceiling lights) as well as floor and table lamps that can be added or removed when needed. • Entryways: Use lamps or sconces to create beautiful accent lightings. Make a first impression with chandeliers or hanging pendants.
Working from Top to Bottom • When designing a lighting plan, start with the ceiling and work your way down. • On ground level, look at how sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, and ambient lights can enhance your area. • Lighting in layers ensures you cover all the ground necessary.
Use Vignettes to Create a Story • In home design and lighting, “vignettes” refer to the arrangement of lights, sculptures and books of different sizes and shapes to create a story. • Vignettes pull a room together and add a designer element. • To create a vignette, start with a theme and a light source, then find the objects that reflect the theme and arrange them around the light.
Create a Mood • Illumination is more than about shopping for a lamp, it’s about creating a mood for each room. • Each room has its own personality, and its style is a reflection of you. • Create a vibrant mood in kitchens or playrooms, and subdued moods for relaxing rooms like bedrooms or bathrooms.
Buy from a Lighting Professional • A lighting professional will be able turn your vision into a reality. • Not only will they help you find the lights you need, but will guide you through the lighting plan design process. • Remember, illumination is one the most important parts of home décor. Don’t be left in the dark and contact a lighting professional today. http://www.lightingpros360.com