4 lighting principles for an elevated home…
The importance of a well thought out lighting scheme should not be underestimated. Considered lighting instantly elevates the overall feel of a space and plays an important part in your home, both emotionally and practically.
Proper lighting can highlight the beauty of your home, create ambience, insure you have the correct illumination for specific tasks, promote relaxation and provide a safe environment to be able to move around your home without incident.
The key requirement of a good lighting scheme is the ability to change and flex according to the need. By layering these following four principles, you will achieve an elevated, well-balanced and versatile space.
General Lighting
General lighting creates the foundation to your lighting plan. It is the essential basis for any room and should fill the room with an even glow of light that is ideally glare free.
It should illuminate the entire space, ensuring no dark corners or shadows, making the room feel more open and inviting.
Keep your general lighting warm for a cosy feel or cooler for a more energising space.
Focus on ceiling mounted pendants, chandeliers or recessed lights, which are all designed to cast light across a wide area.
2.Accent Lighting
Accent lighting defines a space or object adding depth, drama and visual interest to a room.
This is a great way to elevate a space through back lit shelves, wall mounted scones, picture lights and spotlights.
It can be used to highlight artwork, architectural elements or textured walls, making them stand out as focal points.
Properties with characterful architecture lend themselves well, highlighting archways, interesting ceilings or stair treds.
Focus on track lighting, wall mounted scones, picture lights, spotlights, LED strip lights for recessed architecture and back lit shelves or cabinets.
3. Task Lighting
Task lighting is functional lighting that helps us perform specific tasks at home, for example cooking requires concentrated lighting, so bright downlights built in to cabinets or pendants over a work bench.
Floor lamps or desk lamps with adjustable and directional lighting work well for reading and desk work.
It is important to get the positioning correct to avoid working in your own shadow, the light should be placed between you and the task area.
Besides being practical, focused task lighting adds visual interest and creates design features in a room.
4.Decorative Lighting
Decorative lighting is a great opportunity to use a statement piece, to personalise your space and add interest. While is does contribute light, its primary purpose is to provide style and decoration.
This is a perfect place to add colour, texture, pattern and character to your scheme.
Large statement pieces such as chandeliers and sculptural pendants can help to create a focal point.
Decorative lighting works alongside and compliments general, accent and task, adding style without illuminating the entire space.
Focus on scale for drama, or compliment your scheme through patterned and textured lampshades.
Using multiple light sources make a room flexible and versatile. Dimmer switches make your existing lights work harder for you, amending the ambience as required. Add interest through varying heights; floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps and play with scale for drama. Lighting is a great vehicle to not only elevate your space but also add character and personality to your home.