Consider your light sources when designing a room. Light adds character and warmth – it can open up dark corners with the flick of a switch and illuminate. It can be the finishing touch, or sometimes all you needed to bring life into a dull room.
You might have thought you needed a full design overhaul – but changing out your worn floors, a lick of paint, and the right lighting could be the refresh you’re after. And all your existing furniture might work and have a whole new life. Different light sources add layer and texture without breaking the budget.
So in addition to natural light, there are 3 types of lighting we use, and think of them as layers:
- Ambient (overhead)
- Task (specific reason e.g. Kitchen)
- Accent (interest)
For example, think about a living room. You’ll have natural light from the windows, you’ll want ambient downlights in the ceiling, and adding some accent light, maybe a table lamp or a freestanding floor lamp, can bring the whole room together.
First, look at how much natural light you have to start and then add your layers. Just remember to think about when you use the space, and what for – so your light has purpose. A floor lamp in the kitchen would be weird, but makes sense in the lounge where you would read.
With your table lamps think about the shade and the lamp height when positioning, where would the readers or viewers head be and how does that light affect them? It’s amazing how much sense the right light makes in the room, and draws it all together.
Also, don’t forget wall lights as they offer layer and warmth to empty wall areas and can be interesting design elements.
