Lighting is a design element that has a great influence in interior design. It has the power to shape the ambiance, enhance aesthetics, and elevate functionality. Choosing the right lighting fixtures and avoiding common mistakes can make or break a space's overall appeal. In this comprehensive post, we'll dive into the importance of lighting in interior design, guiding you through the process of selecting the perfect fixtures and sidestepping pitfalls along the way.
Understanding the different types of lighting:
Ambient Lighting: Provides overall illumination and sets the general tone of the room.
Task Lighting: Focuses on specific work areas, such as desks, kitchen counters, and reading nooks.
Accent Lighting: Highlights architectural features, artwork, or decorative elements.
Each room has unique lighting needs. Consider the function of the room and choose fixtures that cater to those requirements. For instance, a home office may need focused task lighting, while a living room requires a mix of ambient and accent lighting.
Creating Visual Comfort & Setting the Tone: Lighting plays a pivotal role in establishing the mood of a room. Soft, warm lighting can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while bright and cool lighting sets a vibrant and energetic tone. It is important to ensure a cohesive design by selecting lighting fixtures that align with the desired overall style and feel of the room. From modern to traditional, the fixtures should seamlessly blend with the decor. Luckily for us, the lighting options available are endless. Lastly, a well-designed lighting plan involves layering different types of lighting. Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to achieve a balanced and versatile illumination scheme.
How to avoid common mistakes:
1. Insufficient Lighting: Insufficient lighting can make a room feel dark and unwelcoming. Ensure you have enough sources of light to adequately illuminate the space.
2. Ignoring the Dimmer Switch: Dimmer switches offer flexibility in adjusting the intensity of light to suit different activities and moods. Not installing dimmer switches can limit the versatility of your lighting.
3. Hanging your Lighting at the Wrong Heights: It is crucial that thought is put into the heights in which you hang your lighting. Too high and it can be inadequate for task
lighting and too low it can block your view into the other spaces of your house. Below are some generic recommended hanging heights.
The Recommended Height to Hang a Dining Room Chandeliers
8-foot ceilings: 32 – 36 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
9-foot ceilings: 36 – 40 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
10-foot ceilings: 40 – 44 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
The Recommended Height to Hang Pendant Lights Over an Island or Peninsula
As alway's in design every project and situation is different, there is no one size fits all in the design world. For any questions specific to your project please reach out and we would be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Kommentit