There’s a lot more to creating attractive lighting in your space /home than simply fixing light bulbs into the sockets and flicking a wall switch. To achieve optimal results, you need to get the right bulb designs positioned correctly, and controlled with a smart lighting system. Getting an expert lighting designer can guarantee that your home’s lighting is fully functional and beautiful, however, you might be able to employ the following techniques on your own.
Hide the Source & Go for the Ceiling Height
Great light isn’t seen. Hide all the light sources using architectural coves, niches, and trays to remove glare and add more definition to your lighting design. Knowing the height of your ceiling is equally important when choosing hanging light fixtures. There are certain lights that come with adaptable cables or rods, while others don’t. So, ensure that your light doesn’t hang very low or very high. Generally, the bottoms of any lighting fixture should be suspended about 20 inches below an 8-foot ceiling. And for each extra foot of your ceiling height, three inches will be perfect.
Natural Light
Always consider the effect of the sun in rooms while installing your lights. Incorporate fabric window treatments into your design to filter light, remove reflections, and invoke color as well as stylishness in rooms.
Add Shadow
The space that lies between lit surfaces and behind areas adds depth to your rooms. Ensure to increase the spacing between hallway recess lights and irradiate free-standing elements from a single direction.
Table Hopping
When installing a light over your kitchen’s island or table, maintain a separation distance of about 28 to 34 inches between the table/island surface and the bottom of the fixture. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t ignore the size of lighting element as it also makes a big difference. Generally, a larger light could be moved a bit higher and a smaller light could be moved a little lower.
What about Asymmetrical Patterns?
Surfaces usually reflect light within space. So, concentrate on architectural elements, furnishings, decorative fixtures, work areas, and art. Check out for hidden spaces underneath cabinets stairs which might be blocked from getting direct light.
Once furnished, rooms tend to lose their symmetrical layout and flow. Therefore, consider placing lighting for finished rooms, not empty spaces.
Indirect Light
Indirect light is more like the day’s natural light. Emphasize your lights on ceilings & walls instead of lighting the floors.
Luminaire Types
Ensure to choose the light that’s suitable for your application. LEDs are versatile and can be used to achieve dimming, color rendering, optics, as well as color temperature.
Elegance
Elegance is a key player when it comes to lighting. To achieve high levels of elegance, start by raising up accent lights. Then proceed to raise up the ambient lights. You can then create movement—alter the window treatment positions and turn on nice water fountains.
Controls
Integrate innovative controls to manage multiple lighting layers and luminaire types in addition to room scenes. Advanced controls will help realize superior energy efficiency.
Program
Go for a lighting expert who possesses immense experience when it comes to using light & programming controls. He/she should know how to put elegance and drama with light. The expert should also factor in convenience plus safety when installing your lighting fixture.