When looking at a painting or any other type of art, it is quite common to first notice the masterful brush strokes, the colors imbued, and the shapes and structures of things within the painting. However, one typically overlooked element is the lighting in the piece of art.
The same can be said about interior design. A lot of emphasis is placed on how well the color scheme of the room matches the interior décor of the living space or how meticulously every furniture item or décor piece is placed throughout the room.
It is very important to keep in mind that lighting plays a very big role in how you perceive anything visually or aesthetically pleasing. No matter how big or small the room is, proper lighting can exponentially boost the entire setting of the room, providing an immersive and relaxing experience.
Looking At The Significance of Proper Lighting in Modern Home Design
To understand why lighting is important, you have to think beyond the mere functionality and usefulness of having a well-lit living space. You see, different types of lighting play a role beyond simply providing illumination. It is something that can help elevate your mood, help you concentrate, or positively alter your perception.
Just as lighting acts as a primary ingredient in any artwork, maximizing or propelling specific aspects of the art, it does the same in interior design, emphasizing the sophistication of why you chose certain color schemes and furniture items and how your selection comes together to form a truly welcoming and relaxing space.
When you know the nuances of adequate lighting, it is going to help you shape the rest of your interior décor. For example, setting a recliner chair in the corner with an overhead pendant lamp with a warm relaxing illumination can instill a sense of calmness and utter relaxation.
Three Vital Components of Great Interior Lighting
A good lighting layout for interior design can be created using a combination of three different lighting principles, which are:
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is considered a critical part of overall lighting as it is used to set the character and mood of the entire living space. This type of lighting provides a warm and diffused effect, giving the space a cozy and welcoming ambiance. However, depending on the size and decoration of the room, ambient lighting can also be used as a bold and impactful choice, giving the space more theatricality.
Accent Lighting
This type of lighting functions as a complementary element to highlight the particularities of interior décor, making specific furniture items, artwork, sculptures, etc. stand out or making the center of attention in the room. For example, accent lighting can be used to highlight the details of a wall-mounted piece of art or painting, providing the viewer with a clear and perceptive look at the artwork.
Warm and Cool Lighting Effects
How warm and cool your lighting is will primarily depend on its overall temperature. The temperature of light is measured in Kelvin (K). For example, if you want to go for a particularly warmer ambiance and lighting, you should invest in lighting systems that have a color temperature of 2700 Kelvin.
This is ideal for making the room look warmer and more inviting. On the other hand, a cooler color temperature comes to around 5000 Kelvin and is great for giving you
r rooms a more contemporary and streamlined look and feel.
Understanding How Adequately Use Lighting In Your Home
The Interior Entrance of Your Home
Lighting for entryways or foyers is commonly overlooked. This is the part of your home where people enter, and it needs to have a welcoming ambiance. For the best effects, it is wise to use a combination of hanging pendant lights and small chandeliers. If you don't want to hang light, a great alternative can be wall sconces.
Appropriate Lighting Fixtures for Your Living Room/ Lounge
The lounge or living room is where people spend a lot of their time relaxing and bonding with family and friends. It is an important room that needs to exude a feeling of comfort and relaxation. It can be a good idea to install functional lighting fixtures – for example, lights that can be dimmed. In addition, if you also have a standing desk in the living room to use as a mini office, you can also implement a combination of dimming lights, floor lamps, and scones for a more positive yet calming ambiance.
Kitchen Lighting
The kitchen is considered the life of any home and as such must feature utilitarian lighting that can exude a sense of focus. This is why it makes so much sense to install hanging lights that shine light directly on different surfaces such as the floor, cabinets, countertops, sinks, etc. A good consideration could be using recessed lighting, which is going to offer both an aesthetical feeling and functionality.
Bottom Line
So there you have it, a concise understanding of why lighting is important and the types of lighting fixtures you can use to illuminate your home.
