Are you a headlight person or a lamp person? If the world of social media is any guide, your answer is more important than you think. People who love the lamp are far better than those who believe in the great (or God) lamp. No matter which side you are on, there is no doubt that lighting can make or break a place.
It also sends different signals to our bodies and brains. While strip lighting is the norm in most corporate offices, in cocktail bars you’ll typically find dim, sultry lighting – the first makes us alert and able to work, while the second gives us a relaxing and night-time ambiance. At home, sleep experts tell us to turn off bright lights an hour or two before bedtime to signal to the brain that it’s time to sleep, and in the morning, bright lights can be used to wake us up and get the day started.
So, it’s important. It’s also important for the aesthetics of your space and how you feel in it, which is especially important if you spend a lot of time there. “Lighting is the most important thing, it really sets the mood of a space,” says interior designer Nicola Harding, adding that it’s a great way to change the mood of a room.
So if you need some tips or things to keep in mind when decorating or updating one of these rooms, we’re here to talk to two experts and learn how to set up lighting in every room.
make plans…
Ask yourself what you’re going to use the room for. If you’re renovating, it’s a good idea to carefully consider where you’ll need lighting, whether that’s above your kitchen countertop or along the edge of your bathroom mirror. Soho Home interior designer Rosie Welburn says it’s particularly important to have plenty of spare sockets. “Placing them in the right place is important for every room,” she explains. “For example, in a bedroom you’ll want them close to the bed, whereas in a living room you’ll need to work out where side tables and lamps might be – floor sockets are also worth considering.”
Making these decisions is important because without outlets, it’s difficult to work the magic of lighting, and lights are easier to move than spot lighting. “It’s important to decide early on in the project where different lights will be placed — if you’re going to use the space for entertaining, you’ll probably want low lights, so no spotlights. But also, where will your dining table be placed, what are the dimensions? That can affect where the chandelier is installed,” Welborn said. “It really helps to create a floor plan and mark the points.”
Layering is key
“It’s important to avoid having lights spread throughout the room,” says Harding. “Instead, it’s about creating warm pools of light that create a magical atmosphere that draws you into a room or building.” To do this, layering is key. Instead of relying on a huge central chandelier, which can eat up a large portion of your budget and often means you’re stuck in a specific room layout, consider using wall sconces, lots of lights, different circuits and dimmer switches, says Harding. “You need to think about the impact of the light fixture as much as it looks — understanding how it casts light and what it diffuses.”
When it comes to pendant lights, use them to illuminate specific objects, such as tables: “I like to hang them low, but you can angle them so they shine,” she says. You can also add lighting to key areas using LED strip lights (great for under kitchen counters), picture lights (works well above fireplaces) and joinery lights. They can frame specific areas of the room or simply create a welcoming glow, and are often inexpensive and easy to change.
Light bulbs are important
Never forget the wattage of the bulb. Avoid cool white bulbs as they give off a more clinical cold light, and instead choose bulbs that promise warm light (2700 Kelvin is better) – just read the box and select accordingly. It’s a little trick that makes a big difference.
Loading light
If you don’t have the opportunity (or the budget) to add lots of new outlets, rechargeable lights are a great option, and there are plenty of new lights to choose from. Pooky is probably the most well-known, with Soho Home also set to launch this fall. These are easy to move and can even be used outside in the summer, perfect for creating ambiance. Another great way to update an existing light fixture is to replace the lampshade with a new design – remember that different lampshades eliminate different types of light, so choose accordingly. “For example, you could match the lampshade to your curtains, or choose one made of dark parchment (like a red fabric) to give off a pink glow,” says Welborn. “This can really affect the light coming in.”
Candela
We naturally spend more time focusing on the electrical aspects of lighting, but it’s not the only way to create a welcoming atmosphere. Candles are another great option, whether it’s a flickering taper set in a luxurious candle holder or a simple scented candle in a glass container. There are many nice wicks available on the market, but be sure to trim them to avoid leaving brown marks on the paint.
