Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash
You’ve bought a lovely home. But when you look harder, there is something missing…the space feels dim. That’s when it hits you: it’s time to introduce some ambient lighting.
Lighting is the secret weapon to transform a room from basic to breathtaking. From spotlighting features to shifting moods, light has an incredible capacity to morph rooms into dreamworthy spaces. Here are five ways to instantly bring a breathtaking glow to your home.
1. Layer Your Lighting
There is a simple rule when adding lighting. Each room should have three layers: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient is your primary light. In other words, the downlights or ceiling pendant that actually helps you see. Task and accent lighting are additional features; combining the three adds depth.
For functional areas, like a kitchen counter or desk, task lighting provides extra lighting to aid performance. In contrast, accent lighting is purely for aesthetics and spotlights the “feature” elements of each room. That gorgeous Victorian fireplace or handcrafted sconces? Light them up.
2. Use Warm Bulbs
Walk into a room with harsh lighting, and the negative reaction is instant. Gentle glows are set to be a great lighting trend, and it’s hardly a mystery why. Warm bulbs create a soft, more inviting atmosphere. For a residential property? It’s the quickest way to shift an “okay” room to an exceptional space for relaxation.
3. Add Roman Blinds
Natural light makes a massive difference, yet when adding lighting, it’s easy to get distracted by lamps and bulb brightness. Adding Roman blinds is a beautiful way to control natural light. When lowered, the blinds create a smooth finish. When highered, the fabric folds into elegant pleats. This design is smart, functional, and great for elevating a basic room.
4. Highlight Key Features Let’s be honest for a second: there is no point in incorporating key interior design trends without good lighting. Textured wall hangings and warm-toned
wood? Bad lighting casts unflattering shadows or jarring cold tones. Instead, lean into these key features, and angle warm lighting towards the right places. These pieces should draw the eye; give them the spotlight they deserve.
5. Embrace Dimmers
The most exceptional designers understand that room functionality is fluid. At 7am, the kitchen is a hive of breakfast activity. At 6pm, the kitchen table is sprawled with maths homework. At 9pm, chairs are filled for a wine and cheese night — ambient lighting is a total must. Adjustable lighting lets you effortlessly change the mood. Dimmers are a great solution.
There is something exciting about adding lighting to a room. It feels like adding candles to a cake — the perfect final touches. Follow these steps, and don’t be afraid to get creative.
