Let Happiness Shine with Right Lighting

When redecorating or renovating a home, most people focus on the walls, floors, and ceilings and it’s rightly so. Even from an architectural standpoint, where the walls will be constructed, how the floor will be finished, and what style of roofing and ceiling should be installed are important aspects of one’s home.  

They also believe that light plays a vital role in how people perceive and enjoy their surroundings. A structure can be lighted either naturally or artificially. But, at the end of the day, light is the medium via which individuals may observe and respect their surroundings. Furthermore, light imparts a sense of importance to architecture.  

Lighting, whether natural or artificial, highlights colors and the look of a surface or substance, assisting architecture in its purpose. Light enhances the way people see architecture, which is possibly the most important touch that allows people to appreciate or value it.  

Lighting design in architecture can have a substantial impact on the well-being of the space’s occupants. As a result, when creating, architects around the world must think carefully about their lighting design choices. 

In this article, Sirwiss-affiliated electricians and interior designers discuss the importance of installing the correct light fitting. Read on if you’ve decided to decorate your home and give it a facelift by adding the right lighting or if you want to learn more about the significance of lighting.  

How to Choose the Perfect Lighting for Every Room 

Each room in your residence serves a unique function, and the lighting should reflect that. Some areas, such as the kitchen or laundry room, require task-oriented lighting, whereas others, such as the living room, are more suited to indirect, ambient lighting. This implies that the type of fixtures, light intensity, and location of illumination should vary between spaces. Here is a breakdown of how to properly brighten each room in your residence.  

1. Lighting for Kitchens 

Multiple sources of light are required to adequately illuminate the space in most kitchens, especially bigger ones. Lighting the entire room evenly is called ambient lighting, and it is best achieved with a ceiling fixture or recessed can lights.  

More light is needed in the kitchen’s task areas, such as the island and any other regions where you often chop vegetables. To provide task lighting, place lights directly over each work area. Over an island, pendant lights (which should dangle about 35-40 inches above the surface) are a common choice of illumination, and under-cabinet lighting is practical for kitchen workspaces. When choosing light bulbs, keep in mind the recommended 70-80 lumens per square foot.  

2. Dining Room Light Fixtures 

The dining room is the social hub of your home, so keeping it in the dark is counterproductive. Ceiling fixtures, such as flush-mount and recessed can lights, are ideal for dining rooms since they provide ample ambient lighting.  

A chandelier can serve as both an aesthetic accent and a practical source of ambient lighting in the dining area. If you have an 8-foot ceiling in your dining room, your chandelier should be hung such that it is 33 inches above the table. Aim to provide 30–40 lumens per square foot with the lights. 

3. Living Room Lighting 

With so many different activities taking place in the living room, it is essential that the lighting be easily adjustable. Track lighting is versatile enough to serve multiple functions, making it an excellent choice for living spaces. Any light can be repositioned, swiveled, rotated, or aimed to create the ideal atmosphere. Thanks to the versatility of the beams, you can obtain the desired pattern or wash of light without changing the lamps.  

Use fixtures that do not cast shadows or reflections to illuminate your TV-equipped living room in the manner of a movie theater. When the television is off, the pendants above the settee provide the ideal ambient lighting. When the lights are on, dimmable wall sconces, track lighting, and molding with uplighting provide safe passage. The typical living room requires 10 to 20 lumens per square foot of illumination. 

4. Bathroom Lights 

Poor bathroom lighting can be both unflattering and dangerous. Lights directed downwards onto the mirror will generate unflattering shadows, so keep them out of the bathroom. Light fixtures, such as pendants or sconces, should be hung on both sides of mirrors instead. Sconces that can be adjusted to meet the demands of the people using the restroom should be installed. It’s recommended to use between 70 and 80 lumens per square foot while lighting a bathroom. 

5. Lighting for Hallways 

Hallways are less demanding in terms of lighting because they serve primarily as connecting spaces between rooms. To avoid drawing attention to itself, install a flush-mount ceiling fixture or a series of wall sconces. In most cases, a luminance level of 5-10 lumens per square foot is more than adequate to illuminate a corridor. 

Considerations When Selecting the Proper Lighting 

Carefully considered lighting decisions may make or break a space’s aesthetic and ambiance. Follow these professional recommendations for selecting and installing new light fixtures, bulbs, and switches to modernize and improve the efficiency of your home’s illumination. Use these lighting strategies to revamp your home’s aesthetic while also reducing your energy bill.  

1. Lighting as a Focal Point 

Not every fixture, including chandeliers, lamps, and sconces, should be the same size. Otherwise, the eye seeks visual clarity without arriving at a specific destination. A chandelier is a wonderful focal point for large rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms. Consider a distinctive floor lamp or vintage-inspired wall sconces to flank a piece of wall art in a space with a reduced footprint.  

2. Consider Scaling 

Lighting should not dominate a space, but neither should it be lost. A few guidelines can assist you in selecting the best light fixtures for your space based on their size. In general, the length plus breadth of a room in feet should equal the diameter of a chandelier in inches. For example, if you have a 10×10-foot room, the diameter of your fixture should be approximately 20 inches. 

3. Layered Lighting 

Lighting depends on multiple layers. Aim for a minimum of three sources of light in each room, including the powder room and vestibule, for optimal balance. To accommodate fewer square feet in compact areas, you can reduce the bulb wattage and fixture size. Just don’t overlook the accent layer, which helps to emphasize the additional details you’ve used to complete your rooms. 

4. Make the Most of Dimmers 

Dimmers allow you to quickly alter the ambiance of a room while also reducing your energy consumption. To have greater control over the brightness of your home’s lighting, install dimmer switches as often and on as many lights as you wish. Adjust the level of artificial and natural light with dimmers to provide the appropriate tone. 

5. Exploit Lighting in Unusual Ways 

There is a lot more to lighting than just ceiling lights and table lamps. Pops of illumination provide an unexpected glow and a personal touch to your house in addition to useful job lighting. Some of our favorite non-traditional lighting solutions include hanging a pendant above a bed or lining a bookcase with tiny lights to draw attention to a special display. You can also illuminate plant leaves by concealing a small spotlight next to a large container and pointing it upward at an angle of 45 degrees. 

In terms of lighting, “style and elegance” is not everything. In addition to aesthetics, security and use should be considered when designing and installing indoor/outdoor lighting. Put in good lighting at any unlit corners such as doorways, back or side entrances, or garage doors. You’ll feel safer and spend less time rummaging around for your keys.