Lighting - A Vital Part of Interior Design
Have you ever labored over paint color samples only to find yourself frustrated with the color once it has been adhered to the walls? Many times the problem is not the misty harbor green...it is the poor lighting in the room. While most people dream of skylights and large windows to light their homes, even natural light changes with outside weather conditions. A homeowner needs to understand their floor plan to get the most out of effectively lighting their interior décor.
If you are just building a home, you have the opportunity to request extra outlets, recessed lighting and the installation of a bay window that frames the view of the sunset out the backyard. Most of us, though, must work with the floor plan already in place. So, if you are considering updating your lighting scheme, the first item of business is to assess how light currently enters your home in each room.
If the room is facing to the north, it is unlikely you will get much direct sunlight. Rather, you should expect a colder, but truer natural light. Rooms that face south will have a warmer and brighter light all day. Be cautioned that the sun can be so bright that it may wash out lighter colors in a room. Rooms that face east will have bright, direct sunlight in the early morning, but will feel shadowed the rest of the day. Westward facing rooms will experience sunlight during the most intense heat of the day. These rooms are great for a napping cat, but can cause a glare for daytime drama television watchers.
Once you have established how natural light enters each room, consider artificial lighting to supplement. Since the rooms facing the south and west captivate more natural sunlight, concentrate on the rooms facing the north and east for the use of lamps, recessed lighting and hanging pendant lights. Dimmers can also have a nice effect for a room that starts bright, but quickly shadows throughout the day. The ability to brighten the light to a specific level can be a very appealing feature.
Accent lighting is extremely useful when you want to set off a particular piece of art or furniture in a room. Direct light to or around the piece you bought from an artist at Montmontre can create a great conversation starter about your recent trip to Paris. A cluster of small table lamps or candles near an oversized chair can create a cozy atmosphere after a hard day.
Lamps, chandeliers and pendant lighting can in themselves be a piece of art so look for a few accessories that are not only functional, but add to the overall scheme of your interior décor. Good lighting is vital to the interior design of your home. It should be integral in the decisions you make about the furniture you choose and the color schemes you wish to exhibit. If you integrate solid lighting choices, you will be much happier with the look of your home décor.
