Lighting the rooms of your home based on each particular design and use is a very important consideration to create a special atmosphere in each room. There’s no better way to add drama, flair and atmosphere.
The right lighting can create a light and open feeling in a smaller room and add a more intimate feeling to a larger area. You can create a soft and relaxing mood or an exciting atmosphere to entertain friends and family.
Develop a lighting plan
Just as you consider furniture, flooring, and other important elements of your home remodel or construction, don’t forget to make developing a lighting plan a high priority.
The basic starting point is to think about the important elements you want to accentuate in each room, who will use the room most often, and what activities are likely to occur there.
Many rooms, of course, will serve multiple purposes and require more than one type of lighting for optimal illumination.
Consider the color of the room
Choose lighting that reflects and brings more light into a light-colored room. In a darker colored room, your light can be absorbed, making your room feel even darker. Therefore, it is important to choose lighting that enhances your spaces.
A fresh coat of paint and well-placed lighting can do wonders to change the overall feel of any room. A new room color can bring new light into a room. It can complement your lighting fixtures or provide a new opportunity to update the lighting fixtures in your room.
Three main categories of lighting:
The best lighting plans will combine all three types of lighting using the appropriate types for functionality, as well as complementing your individual style and taste.
accent lighting
Using accent lighting, such as track lighting, recessed lighting, or wall-mounted sconces, creates interest and adds a dramatic effect in your rooms. Highlight paintings, sculptures or collections. For best effect, accent lighting requires at least three times as much light to be effective as general room lighting.
task lighting
Task lighting provides activity-specific lighting: reading, writing, arts and crafts, homework, and gaming. Task lighting can include recessed lighting, track lighting, pendant lighting, or lamps. The purpose of task lighting is to reduce eyestrain by avoiding shadows and glare.
General or Ambient Lighting
Optimum general lighting will provide a pleasant level of lighting comfort in your rooms. General lighting methods include ceiling-mounted fixtures, wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lighting, and sconces.
Choosing the right level of lighting can have a dramatic effect on the comfort level of your room.
lighting controls
One of the best options for today’s lighting is a series of different types of controls that provide flexibility for lighting levels within each room of your home.
With the touch of a button, you can do a number of cool things for your room. You can:
Choosing to incorporate lighting controls in each room is a very wise decision in today’s homes.
Making wise lighting choices in the planning stages of your building or remodeling project can save energy and money down the road. It can also provide a much higher level of comfort and efficiency that you’ll be proud of when your project is done.