5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right

1. Bring in natural light
There’s nothing better than having natural light fill up your home. No replacement will ever be good enough. Whether it is in summer or winter, the goodness of the sun can benefit a space is many ways – especially by keeping odours and mould away. Doesn’t it also add a good dose of positive energy into a space?

Tip: Keep those curtains parted during the day – install glass doors where you can extend the reach of the light. Another way to make the most of the light is by using mirrors in strategic places. You should also consider getting rid of heavy or dark curtains and replace them with light-weight fabrics and light colours. This will help more light enter the house.

2. Remember the purpose of the room
This should be your first consideration before installing in light fixtures. For example, if it’s your living room, it’s your zone to unwind after a long day of work. But it is also the place where you’ll be entertaining guests. That’s why the lights you use in this room should set a relaxing as well as a welcoming tone. Going for a balance of ambient and mood lights will work just right here. This is the most frequently used room in the house, so avoid bright lights that strain the eye.

Tip: Go for accent lighting in the kitchen and think about using pendant lights like the ones in the space shown. They do not take away attention from the other lights in the room, yet go well with different styles of kitchen layouts. There are endless varieties of pendant lights; you will be spoilt for choice.

3. Use ambient lights instead of central lights
Instead of going for the standard, central lighting, go for small ambient lights, they bring a sharper personality, warmth and softness to a space. They are also more successful in reaching out to the darker corners of a room.

Consider floor lamps, table lamps, candles or recessed lights. They add drama along with being visually appealing. They can also help draw attention to decor pieces like plants, wall art, sculptures and pictures.

Tip: Lighting the objects from the back help accent them. Throwing light indirectly on decorative pieces adds the extra oomph. Light thrown from below on transparent or translucent items, like glass, brings out drama. If you have art to display on your walls, then invest in recessed or picture lights.

Tip: This suggestion might be restricted to those with a heavy-duty TV or a home theatre – use bias lights that are placed behind the TV screen to help lessen the strain on your eyes.

4. Make a statement with a chandelier
A chandelier can instantly add pizzaz to a room. Be it a modern, a contemporary or a traditionally styled one, you can always find a chandelier that matches your taste. If you are unable to balance the room with ambient light, consider using a single piece that will add drama and provide a good burst of light to the room.

Remember to keep in mind the size of the space before buying the chandelier. It’s not necessary to buy a piece in perfect proportion to the room – you can bring in a large statement light that becomes the focal point or a smaller one that complements your decor subtly.

5. Don’t overdo it
Yes, that’s the thing with lighting. Nothing looks good when it’s overdone so keep it subtle. Too much light can be uncomfortable, especially at night. It can cause immense strain on your eyes and can get very jarring. A lot of light everywhere takes over shadows that one needs in a room to bring in depth.

Read more:
10 Ways to Brighten a Dark Bathroom
Gorgeous Lights Bring a Shine to These Staircases

Tell us:
What are your tips of keeping your home well lit? Write in Comments below.