Whether you’re renovating or just want to give your space a quick cosmetic makeover, don’t wait until you’re almost finished before turning your thoughts to lighting. Different types and styles of lighting can have a huge impact on how a space looks and feels, so it pays to make it an integral part of your plan.
Size up the space
The most obvious starting point for lighting a room is its intended use. Kitchens and bathrooms need good task lighting first and foremost. Downlights are popular just make sure they are placed so they don’t cast shadows over the area you’re working on. Living rooms and bedrooms are all about mood and atmosphere so this should be top of mind for illuminating these spaces. Pendant lights and lamps are good choices because they add a sculptural element as well.
Consider your decor
When you’re considering the types of lights and their positions, consider how your décor is going to affect the light. Dark colours absorb light so you may need more fittings than if you were going for a lighter scheme. Also, think how the light will be reflected around a room. A well-placed floor lamp shining up onto a white ceiling sends a soft even light throughout a room.
Don’t forget the globe!
The type of globe you use in your fittings has an impact on the feeling it creates. LED globes, which are popular due to their long life and low energy use, come in a range of colour temperatures. Warm white is the first option and has a glow with more yellow in it, making it feel more warming. They’re the globes to go for in living areas and bedrooms. Cool white globes issue light that is has more white in it and is crisper. Daylight globes have a bluish tinge to them and are great for work areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Another popular globe type is the filament globe. The clear glass of the globe highlights the glowing filament making it the feature. Use them in pendants or lamps where the sculptural effect of the globe is as important as the light it emits.
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