Expert Tips on Interior Lighting
April 18, 2016
There’s an art and a science to lighting a room properly and we’ve got the scoop for you so you can light up your rooms like a pro! Make sure you have a mix of light sources at different levels to create a flattering ambience, and the appropriate task lighting you need for whatever you do in that space (reading, pan-frying, getting dressed). Here are tips for five key spots.
Living Room: Light three of the four corners, focusing one of those lights on an object (art, a plant, a nice looking chair). Use a combination of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a downward glow and some that shine upward. Allow for reading in as many seats as possible with down-glowing lamps on three-way switches. If you have an overhead fixture, put it on a dimmer so you have some flexibility.
Dining Room: To draw people in, make the table the brightest spot in the room — easily done with a chandelier or a pendant above the table, limiting the total wattage to 100. Elsewhere in the room, indirect lighting is best — it’s relaxing and flattering. Give the space a subtle glow with a pair of small table lamps on a sideboard or matching sconces on the wall above.
Kitchen: Focus on overhead lighting (on a dimmer that you can crank up when cooking), and add lower sources to illuminate work surfaces. Use pendants, under-cabinet lights, or a sturdy table lamp if you have an office/command centre in your kitchen.
Bedroom: Go for a cozy atmosphere: Place reading lamps or sconces by the bed — but not pointed directly at it. If you have recessed or track fixtures, angle them away from the bed, toward the dressing area. On a low table, include a small, intimate lamp with a tinted low-wattage bulb to mimic candlelight.
Bathroom: The best choice for applying makeup is sidelights, such as a pair of sconces flanking the mirror. An overhead light helps fill in any shadows on your face and also fully illuminates the room (important when cleaning). If you have a large bathroom, you might also want a light directly over the shower.
Originally published at feeduck.com on April 18, 2016.
