5 Tips on Lighting Your House Right
How you light up your house greatly influences your home's ambience. Here are key rules to follow
Varalika Srivastava
28 February 2017
Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, dance instructor and dog lover. My home is set up with a mix of mid- century modern and contemporary decor, with Indian inspired accents throughout. Follow me here and as Varalika01, on Twitter.
Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, dance instructor and dog lover. My home... More
The power of good lighting can make or break the look of your interiors. You can have a killer decor but it can go to waste if the lighting does not complement it the right way. Here are five tips for lighting your rooms well.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related Stories
More Room Guides
A Room-by-Room Guide to Lighting Your Home Right
By Noni Edmunds
Lighting is the jewel in your home's crown, and creative lighting has the ability to add sparkle to any space
Full Story
Kitchen storage
What's the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Choices are aplenty when it comes to cabinet materials. Find the pros and cons of the top 5 available in the market today
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Have a Five Star Bedroom
Bring home the magic of staying in a luxe master suite and you'll never have to check out of this hotel room ever
Full Story
Life
9 Ways to Say NO to the AC and Reduce Electricity Costs
Cool tips to beat this year's scorching heat without air conditioning
Full Story
Balconies
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Armed with extraordinary air-purifying qualities, these plants take to our climate like a fish takes to water
Full Story
Small Spaces
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Find out how to take chaos to task with these clever storage hacks
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
7 Ways to a Dust-Free Home
Take these measures to keep that dreaded dust under control
Full Story
Living Rooms
Expert Speak: How to Design the Perfect Living Room
Here are valuable insights and tips from design professionals on how to make the most of this very important space
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
6 Stone Floors Best Suited for Indian Homes
These hard-wearing materials bring not only natural warmth but also oodles of style into your home
Full Story
i like ur post.it is very helpful for beginners.
Thanks
good does surface light is good option over false celing light