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The lighting inside a house can help define spaces. Rooms can be distinguished by how they are illuminated. Light fixtures go far beyond avoiding darkness. These utilities are able to set the ambiance and mood in each space.
Residents often overlook this simple aspect of their homes. Lighting is definitely taken for granted. Many houses settle for poorly designed light fixtures. This reduces the amount of light that could otherwise be maximized. Investing in better lights will make a massive difference in how spaces look, feel, and even cost.
Table of Contents
Light It Up
Given the vast selection of light fixtures available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Choosing the right style that will fit a certain space is subjective. However, there are general guidelines to follow when looking to improve a home’s lighting. Natural Light Having big, wide windows that are well-placed will allow a lot of natural light to enter the home. This is also a good way to help reduce energy consumption.
To maximize this, it’s best to keep windows clean. It might appear like a simple task, but it will go a long way in brightening up a specific space.
Different Sources
n any room, having at least three sources of light is ideal. These three sources are general lighting, specific lighting, and ambient lighting. General lighting refers to overhead lighting likeLED panel lights for ceilings. Specific lighting has functional uses such as a table lamp for reading. Ambient lighting is more decorative much like candles.
Reflective Surfaces
Add surfaces that will allow light to bounce around. Strategically placed mirrors or having glossy floors will help to maximize the light that’s inside a room. Taking note of the finishing of certain objects, like metallic countertops, will also give off the same effect.
The Right Shade
Always consider what kind of atmosphere a room should convey. White lights are the most common shades found in light fixtures. Although this shade lets light pass through effectively, it can often make the space appear cold and dull. Choosing colored shades will create a different feeling altogether, depending on the hue.
Room-specific Lighting
Improving the lighting of a home will take a lot of work. Particularly because each room requires different light fixtures. The amounts of light needed may also vary. Blasting a bedroom with white light when it should be warm, cozy, and inviting would not be ideal. Kitchens that are improperly lit could lead to disasters.
Consider these helpful tips when choosing to reconfigure the lighting of certain areas. These will help to distinguish one room from the other while elevating their design and functionality.
The Living Room
The living room is one of the areas in a home where people stay for long periods of time. In these types of rooms, it’s better to use ambient lights that bounce off the ceiling. Avoid relying too much on overhead lighting which directs light downwards.
Allowing light to bounce off the ceiling will direct people’s vision upwards. It also lessens the shadows to be cast towards the floor. This will make the area feel more spacious, and the ceilings will appear much higher.
Achieving this is simple. Surrounding the living room with wall lights is a suitable option. These lights will help direct light towards walls and track it upward. Putting floor lamps that are upward-facing is an easier alternative.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is another gathering spot in the household. More than that, preparing food can be difficult if the lighting is not quite right. This area should have a lot more specific lighting rather than general lighting.
Again, overhead lights will most likely direct light downwards and cast shadows. This could be disastrous when preparing food, especially when chopping ingredients. A good way to counteract this is by installing lots of under-cabinetlighting.
Under-cabinet lighting will help to illuminate the kitchen counters. Taking advantage of the natural light in this area is also vital. This is usually why sinks are located under windows. During the daytime, it allows natural light to bounce off and around the room.
The Bedroom
Bedrooms should have a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Ceiling-mounted light fixtures should be avoided, especially directly above the bed. Opting for wall lights with warmer shades will provide much better lighting overall.
Bedside lighting for night reading is also a common concern. One of the worst experiences is having to get up from bed to turn off the lights. If possible, each side should have an independent wall light. These fixtures should be adjustable and their switches should be easy to reach.
Brighter Days
Lighting choices can influence a home’s look and feel. Besides the fixtures, however, it’s also important to take note of the other components that go into them. Investing in energy-saving bulbs, dimmers, and even switches will also help to cut down on electricity costs.
The different lights that illuminate homes are not something to be neglected. A lot of thought should also go into them just like any other part of a house would.
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