Interior designers will know that good lighting is one of the trickiest things to master. While there are no quick and easy answers to lighting solutions, there are a few golden rules to remember when lighting up at home.
Hallways
Not just a space to take off your shoes, hallways are your guests’ first impression of your home. Opt for ambient lighting in the form of lanterns, chandeliers, or suspended uplights to create a warm, welcoming effect.
Living room
Depending on how much mileage you get out of your living area, lighting for this room can be the trickiest to manage. Overhead fixtures provide effective lighting and are best fitted with a dimmer to allow more versatility. To create the illusion of a bigger space, use wall-mounted or standing uplights to bounce light off the ceilings and walls.
Accent lighting works well for the living room too. Table lamps dotted around the outside edges of the room on shelves and tables radiate light inwards, making the room feel spacious yet cosy. For a natural glow, candles work well and smell good too.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, bright, clean light is your best option to emphasize counter-top areas. You wouldn’t want to risk accidentally chopping your fingers off! Under cabinet lights provide great task lighting, as do rows of down lighters fitted into the ceiling.
Dining room
Pendant lights suit dining areas well, but make sure they come with dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting to suit the mood. If you have an island or breakfast bar, a bunch of mini pendant lights will do the trick.
Home office
Good task lighting is essential for the home office or study area too. Halogen desk lamps are great for illuminating the desk or work area; alternatively, use a floor lamp with adjustable arms.
Bedroom
When lighting a bedroom, an overall atmosphere of peace and relaxation is key, while providing bright lighting for activities like reading or dressing. Down lights on the ceiling give you ample lighting, while bedside lamps or wall lights with individual switches are best for those who love to read in bed. Pendant lights with dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness to suit your mood.
If you have kids, a night-light in their rooms to prevent them from being afraid of the dark is crucial. A wall sconce is best; it provides dim lighting so children can still fall asleep.
Bathroom
A combination of accent and task lighting will provide ample light while softening this room’s harshness. Diffused wall lights on the sides of your mirror provide even illumination for daily grooming. Under cabinet lights are great for that middle of the night trip to the bathroom, while down lights fitted with a dimmer switch come in useful when you want to soak in the tub after a long day.
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