In previous instalments, I’ve focused on the practical things you can do to add value to your renovation through lighting, such as changing light fittings or switches.
This time around I want to focus on the feelings you create with lighting. This is an incredibly important element to consider, as the lighting you choose can completely change how a room feels, particularly at night.
Ambient Lighting
This is considered the base level of lighting. Something as simple as changing light bulbs can significantly alter the ambience of a room.
Warm globes help a room to feel cosy, inviting, even intimate. Whereas cool globes give a bright and energetic feel to a space. Think about how you intend to use the room, and choose ambient lighting appropriate to achieve that outcome.
The number of light fixtures and their locations also affects ambience.
Task Lighting
As anyone who’s tried to cut something on a kitchen bench when the main light is behind them can testify, task lighting is very important!
Think about the space and where tasks requiring light are going to be performed. To solve the kitchen problem, for example, do you need to include downlights above bench spaces, or perhaps under-cabinet lighting strips if you have overhead cupboards.
The kitchen is the most obvious location to focus on task lighting, but there’s likely to be more when you consider other rooms and their uses. Sometimes lights that can be pointed in different directions are great in multi-purpose rooms where uses might change over time.
Accent Lighting
Wanting to draw the eye to a particular item in a room? That’s where accent lighting comes into play. Potentially you need to have the room already styled so you know where the focal points are, but if you’re featuring an architectural or landscaping element, that may not be necessary.
Remember, too, that this type of lighting can be achieved using lamps rather than fixed lighting, or as mentioned in task lighting, light fittings that can be adjusted to point in a different direction can instantly change the feel of a room when moved.
So there you have it. Take the time to think about your spaces and what type of vibe you want to create, and your lighting can help to achieve that outcome.