5 Tips on choosing the perfect lighting for your space

Lighting plays an integral part in overall room design and is one element that can often be overlooked. Setting the mood through lighting creates the base from where additional lighting can be layered and furniture and accessories added to create the finished look.

We sat down in a perfectly lit corner for a coffee with our Design Manager, Genelle, who gave us these tips.

1) Choose a Lighting Focal Point

When designing the lighting for a living space, it is important to create a focal point. Without it, a room can appear dull and disorderly and will leave the eye searching for visual clarity.

While all lighting combines to create the ambience within your space, the lighting focal point will take centre stage.

Whether a pendant is being used in a dining room, a large floor lamp in a living room or a chandelier in the hallway, the human eye will naturally seek out a focal point. This is because it helps to create visual interest and a sense of balance in a space.

2) The Room

Depending on the room, there are different light fittings that can be used to optimise different areas. There is nothing worse than finishing a room, taking a step back and instantly realising that the light is too small for the space.

An easy tip to follow when looking for the ideal light fitting size is;
- Measure the length and width of the room in feet
- Add the 2 measurements together and convert that number to inches.

In the below example, the room is 9 feet wide and 10 feet long.
Therefore, the ideal light fitting size is 19 inches as 9+10=19 Lighting example

Using this quick and easy tip gives an idea of the light fitting required to optimise the use of the space available. Feel free to use a bigger light as a statement piece, but don't go too big and draw the attention from furniture and accessories.

Before moving on to tip number 3, consider the main use of the room. There are a number of ways to create different atmospheres with lighting that can match the use of a space.

3) Layer Lighting

Layering lighting in a room allows for a smooth transition from a bright room during the day to a sophisticated space for the evening.

There are three main types of lighting to consider when looking to add layering to a space. Ambient, task and accent lighting.

AMBIENT LIGHTING
Ambient lighting is the basic illumination of a space. It is the kind of lighting needed to be able to see to move around a room.

TASK LIGHTING
Task lighting is the main, practical lighting used in a room. Layering your lighting enables you to use ambient and accent lighting to complement your task lighting.

ACCENT LIGHTING
Accent lighting is the additional lighting that is used to make a room more aesthetically pleasing. Accent lighting highlights smaller parts of a space like a fireplace.

Utilising these methods, a space can be used in different ways, from working from home during the day to a relaxing space in the evening

Our biggest tip to layering lighting would be to utilise the possibility for table and floor lamps as these can be used to combine the three lighting types. They can also be easily moved around if a room is redesigned.

4) Match The Style of The Room

The style of your decorative lighting should match the overall style of the room. If the room has a modern style, then a contemporary light fixture will fit in well. With a more traditional-style room, then a classic chandelier or table lamp would be more appropriate. Matching the style of your lighting to the style of a room will help create a cohesive look and feel.

5) Consider The Choice of Bulb

The final touch is the choice of bulb. This can easily be overlooked but can instantly undo all the hard work should an underwhelming bulb be chosen.

Important elements to consider when choosing a light bulb:
- Colour temperature: Should the bulb give off a warm, slightly yellow glow or are is the aim to achieve a brighter feel with a cool, white, light?
- Wattage: How bright should the light to be?
- Style: Would a traditional bulb or a more modern, eye-catching bulb suit the style of the room?

Choosing the correct decorative lighting for homes requires careful consideration of the function, style, size, bulb, and layering of your lighting. By taking these factors into account, a warm, inviting, and visually appealing living space can be created that perfectly suits the occupants needs and preferences.