Lighting is one of the most natural approaches to enlivening your home décor. Most options are very affordable, and you can achieve a lot with simple additions. However, there is still a chance you can go overboard with your lighting. Studies suggest that too much light and UV radiation can have a myriad of undesirable effects. Therefore, it is essential to scrutinize your needs and have an overall vision of what you want to achieve before comparing existing options.
If you are not sure where to start, here are seven tips on light design to improve your home interior.
1. Start with a plan
You need to know what you want to achieve with lighting. Even if you have no clue where to begin, there are various resources available online. You can also find ideas in magazines and popular fashion and trend shows.
Floor Plan. Picture: Khalil Adis
Having a plan will allow you to create a budget and capture the essentials. Whether you are starting from scratch, redecorating a new room or modifying a few aspects here and there, you need a mini-plan to guide you.
The plan can include the key features to highlight, room activity and appropriate lighting, cost and alternatives, style, scale, and temperature output, among others. Make sure you prepare your plan early enough to give you sufficient time to research and pick the right products.
2. Let your every lighting have a purpose
Your light should have a unique purpose other than colourful illumination. If you are installing dining room lighting, you have to ensure there is enough illumination focused on the dining table.
The Lilium showflat dining area with luxury lighting. Picture: iProperty
Similarly, you can use spotlights to highlight a piece of art on the wall or your favourite room furniture. Lighting is more effective when it has a specific purpose or use. It should be helpful in what you want to achieve.
Reading light, for instance, should be soft and directed away from you. A combination of downlights, sidelights, and recess lighting can also highlight the essential fixtures in your bathroom.
3. Use layering
According to experts, layering is the way to go when looking to develop exquisite ambience with lighting. Using different light sources placed at various locations can create space illusions, warmth, and a different ambience. Cluster lights can make the room feel cosy while low-hung pendants will give the illusion of light. The layering you choose will depend on your room size, but this technique can offer interesting dynamics from room to room.
4. Take full advantage of lighting technology
Thanks to modern technology, you can achieve a lot with your lighting. You can install smart lighting solutions that light up when you enter a room or motion-detecting spotlights that illuminate a wall art when one walks up to view the piece.
In addition to serving a purpose, these solutions can save more energy and add new features to your home décor. You can also use casting bulbs and multiple colour LEDs.
5. Keep it simple
Using a floor lamp to brighten up the living room. Unit in Sims Urban Oasis condo. Picture: iProperty
You do not have to cluster your lighting and execute every idea in the same room. If you are a seasoned home decorator, then you already know the importance of keeping it simple. Choose the best ideas for a room and pick a few that can exist in harmony. You still need to ensure you have a home and not a discotheque. The colour schemes, themes, and finishes should be consistent with creating a balanced atmosphere.
6. Consider using LED lighting
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become quite popular for obvious reasons. They come in various sizes, designs, and models so there is no cap on how you can customize your own. According to experts, LEDs offer numerous benefits ranging from safety to energy efficiency, easy installation, and troubleshooting.
LEDs are also eco-friendly, and you can achieve magnificent hues and transitions as they are available in a myriad of colours.
7. Compliment the room décor and design
When picking lighting, it is easy to focus on the different designs and options available. To avoid this, you should know the outcome you seek. More importantly, you should understand the room décor and design you have.
Lighting should complement existing decorations and designs. A spotlight wouldn’t be as appealing if there were no art or tapestry to highlight. As such, you should seek lighting that harmonizes with your furniture, room size, other light sources, and colours.
Conclusion
Home décor relies on several factors, so it is crucial to think about lighting together with other aspects of your home. When looking for lighting for your home, compare several options and styles before making a decision.
Make sure you purchase high-quality products from credible retailers who can guarantee the original products. You can also try out different approaches before you find the one that best suits your home décor.
This article is written by Emma Gill.
