You can read dozens of studies on how lighting impacts our moods, affects our sleeping patterns and augments people’s perception of the world around them. Or, you can just pay close attention to how different types of lighting make you feel.
Think about how nice things seemed at a favorite hotel, restaurant or friend’s house — and try to recall how the lighting there may have played a role in your impression.
Clearly, lighting plays a critical role in your home’s appeal. It can direct attention to some of your home’s best attributes or the lack of lighting can hide some of the imperfections — or at least make them less noticeable. No one will notice that you didn’t dust with minimal lighting, whereas an intense light will show you just how many little particles are drifting around your house.
Lighting sets the mood. And that is why it is key to come up with an elegant lighting scheme that makes you feel comfortable while also highlighting some of your favorite lounging spots and properly illuminating areas where you work or read.
Natural light is still king. But technological advances in lighting give consumers more options than ever to beautify your home with dimming options, changing colors and light bulb styles.
Here are some philosophical approaches to help you find the right lighting scheme for your home.
Layers of Light Create Versatility
Take stock of what natural light shines into your home, and capitalize on it.
Use a variety of lighting to make the tone of the room fit the moment — day or night. It’s important to have a fixture that illuminates the whole room and some that light up key areas. Consider positioning lamps in living rooms and other common areas near corners and including one that shines upward and one that shines downward.
Meanwhile, consider chandeliers and pendant lights for spotlight locations, such as over the dinner table, breakfast bar, and kitchen work areas.
Mix in some subtle light options, such as a soft light lamp, to set the tone for watching TV or relaxing with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night. Finally, select specialized lighting in your favorite reading or work spots.
Fine Tune to Your Mood
Having that versatility lets you change your lighting scheme based on your mood. Adding dimmer switches — or smart phone-controlled apps — lets you specialize your lighting options for specific situations. Several companies now offer lighting systems that can be customized for the moment.
Show Off Your Bulbs
Often, the best lighting covers the lightbulb and distributes the light in useful or creative ways. But some well-designed and antique bulbs can shine their soft light just hanging there.