Lighten up your room!

Lighting is a vital element in any room as it can change the colour of your walls and furnishings; it also sets the mood and tone of a space.

Lighting paramount for interior design

The key to getting the most out of your lighting is to get the balance right.  This can be done through using different light sources to create visual interest.

Various light fittings in your space

Besides your ceiling pendant consider a couple of floor lamps, a table lamp, string lights along a shelf or skirting, as well as candles and recessed light.  But the key to getting this look right is the wattage and also the level at which you display these lights.

Warm light creates atmosphere in interiors

“The most important factor to remember is that you’re trying to create an ambience,” says lighting designer Celine Clarke. Over-lit rooms feel cold and uninviting so choose warm white colours of 2700k-3000k colour temperature.

Three lighting types for interiors

Generally lighting can be broken down into three main types:

• Ambient or general lighting, which provides overall illumination for the room. It’s the cornerstone of lighting a room, and usually consists of ceiling, wall or recessed lights.
• Task lighting, which is used for specific jobs like cooking, reading, putting on makeup or doing homework.
• Accent lighting, which brings drama and depth to a room by illuminating key features like artwork, books, or architectural features.

A great room will have all three.

Lighting needs in bathroom

Combine strong task lighting with ambient lighting. Mirror needs the main illumination from side and above.

You will need two light sources to ensure even lighting and minimise shadowing. Lighting should be IP rated to suit a wet/steamy environment and positioned away from water. Have a look at some bathrooms designed by Inspired Spaces.

Lighting requirements in kitchen

The kitchen has increasingly become a focal part of the home but remember a kitchen still needs adequate lighting for cooking so it’s just important for lighting to be functional as well as pretty.

Always light your bench tops and cooking areas. Recessed down lights and task lighting are great in kitchens.

Good idea to use decorative pendant lighting above island benches always create visual interest in the room. Get some additional kitchen design ideas here.

Tip: Fluorescent or LED bulbs are good options for kitchen as kitchen lighting is used for long hours so energy efficiency is important.

Bedroom lighting 

Bedroom ambience is important. Along with ceiling pendant light bedside lamps are usually required.

Also consider mood lighting, dimmer switches and wardrobe lighting. Having control options next to your bed is also handy. If you are looking for design inspirations for your master bedroom, please click here.

Tip: Use warm lamp colours as they increase serotonin and induce sleep.

Lighting tips for lounge room

Accent lighting through feature lights work well in a lounge room.

Focus on floor lamps near reading chairs to create cozy corners to read. Side table lamps also work well to create a softer ambient light.

If you need some lounge room design inspirations, please click on the link.

Dining room lighting needs

Dining rooms are increasingly used for more than one task, usually as a homework table or office area.

If this is the case you want to ensure that your lighting meets these dual needs. Dining tables lend themselves to feature pendants or chandeliers.

Make sure you have adequate lighting across the entire length of the table. Good ideas to upgrade from more than one pendant light. Track lighting above tables is also an option. Here are additional design ideas for your living and dining area.

Tip  – If there’s over illumination in the space lower the wattage of each lamp. Dimming is ideal for the dining room lighting, as you have to adjust the light depending on the time of day.

Over lighting of interiors

One thing I’ve learnt is over lighting is far better then under lighting.

A good trick is to replace each light bulb in every room with an amazing pendant light then add a floor and task lamps at varying heights. This will create such a difference and help to establish a mood, drama and visual luxury.

Go ahead see what adding the right type of lighting can do to your home!

If you have questions, contact the team of Inspired Spaces.