Don’t Underestimate Lighting in a Room

Good lighting can completely transform your home. Lighting can set a mood, illuminate work spaces to make doing certain tasks, such as paying bills or cooking, easier, and it can increase safety.   Often times my clients underestimate the transition a room can have with proper lighting.

If you’ve ever thought about adding a special touch of class to a room, you’ve likely considered a chandelier.  I love adding small chandeliers to master bathrooms or master bedrooms with tray or vaulted ceilings.

One of my signature changes is to take those dreadful dated ceiling fans out and put in an Orb fixture or some other striking light fixture.  Doing this has updated and transitioned many rooms into a whole new room. 

Set the Tone

Good lighting sets the tone and creates the atmosphere in a room. The key is to understand the use of that room and apply the relevant lighting to ensure it functions well. For example a laundry or utility room will be well served with glare free compact fluorescent, whereas a study will require particular attention to task lighting. An open plan living/dining/kitchen needs to have several different circuits of lighting, perhaps a mix of LED spots and low level floor washers, LED under cupboard task lights, and mains voltage lamp light to create depth and texture in the space.
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Here are a few of my favorite indoor lighting tips:
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• Bedside lamps, desk lamps and under-cabinet lighting can all add to your overall light profile while also highlighting attractive details, like your backsplash or countertops.
• Vanity lighting in the bathrooms should be bright and consistent, with no drastic shadows and glare. Adding sconces beside the mirrors may help you achieve this.
• Attractive table lamps may offer visual interest, as well as much-needed light in a living room, den or game room. No surfaces for lamps? Consider torchieres or other floor lamps.
• Accent lighting can draw attention to a room’s focal points, such as the mantle or built-in shelving.
• Tread lighting can help brighten a staircase—and provide added safety benefits!
• Tall ceilings shrouded in shadows? Your lighting may be placed too low. Consider adding a ceiling fixture, track lighting or pendants, depending on your space.

Make a House into a Home

Lighting can make a house into a home and will allow the personality of the owner to shine through. Without good lighting, the impact of all the other well-thought out details – sumptuous furnishings, opulent flooring, and luxurious wall coverings – will be lost. So getting the lighting right is essential if we are to make the most of our homes.  I love working with lighting and would love to help you.  Call for a free consultation!