Did you know that lighting has the power to affect your mood very much? Just think about the way you feel in a bright, well-illuminated room, and what feelings take over when there’s not enough light in the room. Not the same in the slightest, right? Well, that’s because the more lit the room is, the more energy you’ll have, and vice versa. That’s why your lighting should be strategically positioned around the house. If you’re thinking about making the home look more inviting, cosier and warmer, you’re in the right place. We’ve prepared an array of creative and helpful suggestions to help you transform your home quickly and easily.
Create a focal point
First and foremost, you must create a focal point with the main lighting fixture in the room. By main, we mean the biggest. The one fixture that lights up the majority of the room, such as a chandelier, should be placed in the centre of the room. If you’re illuminating the living room, for example, place the chandelier above the coffee table. That way, you can get enough light in front of the sofa and other seating furniture, while also making sure the rest of the room is lit up properly. If you’re redecorating dining room, we suggest the focal point is right above the dining table. The same goes for the kitchen, where you should put the focal lighting right above the kitchen island where all the slicing and dicing goes on.
Layered lighting goes a long way
We’re sure you’re already familiar with the term layered lighting, but have you ever put it into practice? The magic with this type of lighting is that it creates a lovely, cosy and warm ambience that you need in your home. That’s why you should consider a variety of fixtures for those rooms you want to be more inviting. Aside from the focal point fixture, lamps, wall scones and recessed lights will complement the main fixture, and allow you to set the mood however you need it to be. The accent layer will help you highlight the extra details you’ve used in the rooms, so be sure to pay special attention to that when you decide to start layering.
Photo by Cornerstone Architects
Dimmer switches can help too
Another way to set the mood in your home and make it comfier is to install dimmer switches. You won’t always need the lighting to be on the highest level, and dimmer switches will help you adjust the intensity of the light. When you need to set the ambience to more romantic and cosier, lower it down, and turn it back up when need be. If you decide to install the switches, however, we suggest you call the pros if you’re not electricity-savvy. Don’t risk making a mess in the entire home or hurting yourself, but call experienced Frankston electricians who’ll know exactly what they’re doing and help you create the best mood in your rooms.
Photo by Michael Abrams Interiors
Spread out hanging lights
Decorating your home with hanging lights doesn’t necessarily have to happen only around holidays. If you love your warm yellow bulbs that hang around the Christmas tree, feel free to keep them a few months after the holidays are over. They can create a truly serene and pleasant ambience, especially in the evening when you’re relaxing on the sofa with your favourite book. In the summer, you can even hang them in the backyard, and create a romantic setting during warm summer evenings when you throw friendly gatherings or BBQ with friends.
Go old-school with candles
Candles will never go out of style. That’s why you should use them as a part of your home lighting setup and fill your home with Zen-like vibes. Do you like scented candles? Light up a few and place them in the corners of the room. Why throw just a candlelight dinner when you can leave the candles burning even after the event. A row of tealights in votives or a scented candle on your nightstand will be just what you need for the romantic and inviting ambience in your bedroom.
Choose the bulbs carefully
Another very important aspect to pay attention to when choosing the lighting options is what bulbs you’ll use. White and yellow ones won’t crate the same atmosphere, so you should look carefully before you opt for one or the other. With yellow, less bright bulbs the room will look warmer and more inviting. However, if you want it to be brighter sometimes, get the white bulbs, and with a dimmer switch, you could always tone the intensity down a notch.
Photo by Tate Studio Architects
Final thoughts
Choosing lights for your home can be challenging sometimes, but if you have the right guide, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Therefore, be sure you go through all the tips nice and slow and see which of those suggestions works best for you.
