No matter how much effort, time, and money you put into designing your living space to perfectly fit your needs and desires, the final touch that makes or breaks it is the lighting. Neatly arranged furniture falls short if not lit properly. Nailing the right atmosphere in every corner of your home is vital to the feeling of warmth and coziness.
I wanted to play around and create something unique, and LF Illumination provided some useful tips on how to properly use the magic of light to elevate my home to a new level. Here’s what I learned:
Use Natural Light
Natural light is your best friend. Scan your home and try to find as much opportunity to allow natural light to shine in and enrich the area without having to invest much in ‘’other’’ sources that, in reality, can never completely replace the harmony of nature.
Before you decide to install any new light source, you should first review your options for natural sources. Let the sunshine in, maybe invest in new, bigger windows or buy new drapes with brighter, more inviting colors. Unfortunately, you can’t gain more natural light without some major overhauls and renovations, but that’s where artificial light comes into play.
Respect Functionality
Think about all the different actions you usually perform in every room, and then choose the proper light source accordingly. Cooking, reading or any hobby that requires detailed manual labor are going to require strong and concentrated light sources that can be put overhead in form of downlights that can be built-in ceilings or cabinets.
This light source doesn’t need to be stationary, so a good desk lamp that you can easily move around is perfect for reading, or a spot floor near your favorite sitting place that brings both brightness for reading and a nice, cozy atmosphere.
More Layers More Fun
You can play around with a multitude of lights and create different atmospheres depending on the company and topics discussed. You can use multiple lamps that you can put anywhere, whether they are on a floor or a desk it all depends on your taste, and the mood you want to create.
You should always have one major source as a pendant hanging from a ceiling, accompanied by a cohort of lamps and dimmers that will allow you to be creative and manipulate the light the way you see fit.
The Right Direction
This is where you can change the size of your room by rearranging the direction of the light. One side lamp in a corner changes everything. Uplighters are the right call if you want to create the illusion of height. Floor lights will nicely square the space making it look bigger and more elegant in the dark.
Assign Focal Point
Every room should have a focal point, especially a living room where people would gather. You can create a focal point by arranging the furniture, but a nice-looking chandelier hanging over a dining table, or a living room table to seal the deal. This trick will automatically point your guests in the right direction without you having to explain much.
Get Inspired
There are a plethora of options when it comes to lighting. One can easily drown in endless shades and shapes and sometimes overdo it. Getting the most out of your space is key, but also tricky if you are not careful. It is always recommended to ask a professional and allow them to inspire you or shed some light on the most fitting solutions for your home.
