In The Mood

by: sakuraluna | Total views: 46 | Word Count: 1076 | View PDF | Print View

 by: Laurence James

Creating a Designer Home With Lighting

Traditionally, spring is the time when many of us think
about redecorating or remodelling a room in our home and we begin
skimming through glossy magazines, or visiting showrooms for ideas. The
results always look stunning, but how do you replicate ‘that’ look in
your own home when your rooms are probably a fraction of the size of
those featured in home interior publications? Even if you had the time,
energy and resources to purchase exactly the same products that appear
in a beautifully prepared photograph or showroom, somehow they never
seem to look the same in your own home.

So why is this?

The answer may be in your lighting or more accurately
your light levels and lighting schemes. Every home will have a unique
light level that is dependant upon many things; the way the rooms and
windows face, the size and type of windows, the colour of the
decoration and the density of furniture in the rooms. It is an eclectic
mix, but these factors can make a huge difference. Natural light plays
an important part in the mix, since it can create an infinite array of
atmospheres and moods in any room through the course of the day, from
bright and invigorating to subdued and tranquil.

Colours, Textures and Fabrics

The many forms created by natural light are something
that we probably notice occasionally, but perhaps don’t fully
appreciate. Before spending vast sums of money on elaborate interior
design schemes, just carry out your own survey over a few days. Move
furniture and accessories around to see the effects the changes can
make. Create new features and try different window treatments, like
Venetian blinds or layers of fabric such as fine muslin. It is
relatively simple to experiment with these solutions, but you may wish
to make fundamental changes to the lighting characteristics in your
home by carrying out some structural alterations, such as fitting a
roof light or dormer window. These solutions are naturally more
involved, but can produce dramatic results.

If your budget only enables you to redecorate rather
than refurbish, then bear in mind the effects different colours and
textures can have on the level of light in a room. Pale colours are
reflective, while dark colours and materials absorb light. White
ceilings reflect light as do cream carpets but dark wooden floors and
dark coloured walls absorb light and make rooms feel more
claustrophobic. The mood and atmosphere that you are trying to create
will determine the colours and materials that you use.

Choosing The Right Type of Lighting

So far, we have only addressed the natural light issue
and how to understand and make best use of the level of light that you
have. Aspects of lighting should be an integral part of your thinking.
It is not something that should be deferred until you have decorated
and are putting the finishing touches to a room. The type of lighting
that you use should be thought about at the planning stage, as you may
need to install some new electrical wiring or fittings. It’s too late
when the walls have been painted or wallpapered and the flooring has
been laid!

How do you choose the type of lighting you need? Are you
going to just replace the lampshade in the centre of the ceiling, or
are you going to be more ambitious and create different levels of
lighting that can be adjusted to reflect the mood and atmosphere you
want to create? If you wish to emulate the image in the glossy
magazine, then you are going to have to give your lighting some
thought, but the guidelines are straightforward. There three basic
types of light:

• General lighting or ambient light. A pendant light in the
  centre of the room typically provides this type of lighting and it
  provides a good level of brightness for everyday use
  

• Feature or accent lighting creates highlights and can
  be used to focus on particular architectural features you have in your
  home, such as fireplaces or alcoves
  

• Task lighting, which as its name suggests, is
  specifically designed to provide strong localised light for specific
  tasks, such as cooking, reading and close work
  

A blend of all these types of lighting should be considered
in any lighting scheme you are planning. Naturally, the combination you
use is your personal choice and will determine the eventual look and
feel that is achieved. Balance is the key

Light Fittings

Having identified the basic types of light that are used,
you need to understand the different kinds of fittings that are at your
disposal. For simplicity these can be categorised as follows:

• Downlighters: These are usually recessed in the ceiling,
  but can also be wall mounted. The light is direct and focused and will
  cast shadows. When used in quantity, these lights can provide a good
  level of ambient light
  

• Uplighters: These wash ceilings with light, which is
  then reflected back into a room in an even manner. They can be free
  standing or wall mounted and therefore provide great flexibility. Some
  pendants also provide uplighting properties
  

• Wall washers: When surface mounted, these provide an
  even light across and down a wall. Different effects can be achieved by
  varying the fitting and its position on a vertical surface
  

• Decorative Lighting: This can be used to add visual
  focus in a room and provide general lighting properties to specific
  areas. Decorative lighting is often used as an integral feature of an
  overall room set
  

Reflecting Your Personality

By experimenting with the categories of light that have
been described above, you should be able to create the atmosphere and
mood you desire. There are numerous solutions and the process may
involve a degree of trial and error. If you are seeking the ultimate in
flexibility and refinement, then dimmer or control systems should be
used. At their simplest they can be controlled manually, or at their
most complex they can be varied electronically to provide an infinite
number of individual light settings.

Whatever you choose to do, you will stand a better
chance of emulating that advertisement in a glossy magazine. Lighting
plays such an important part in everyone’s home. The type of lighting
scheme you adopt will not only satisfy your functional needs, but it
could play a large part in creating atmospheres and moods that
influence your own attitudes and behaviours.

About the Author

Laurence and Carolyn James own The Light Company Direct Ltd, an independent, family run business, based in the heart of the Cotswolds. The company offers a superb range of distinctive and stylish lighting for homes and commercial establishments via mail order and the Internet. Laurence and Carolyn have selected lighting that represents the very best in design and craftsmanship. They have developed close links with key manufacturers throughout Europe and are able to offer customers many designs that are rarely seen in the UK.

www.thelightcompanydirect.co.uk

laurence@thelightcompanydirect.co.uk

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

Add Comment

Copy and Paste Article Code.

Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.

More articles in this Category

1: A Brief Guide On How To Modify A Kitchen.
2: Choosing The Right Mattress For A Relaxing Sleep
3: A Guide To Hire General Contractors For Home Improvement
4: How to go about designing an office
5: Benefits of Central Air Conditioning Units