One of the most important aspects in a home is light. While there is much emphasis on natural light in today’s context, it is vital to ensure that other lights are also in place. So whether you are moving into a new home or redesigning your existing home, plan for appropriate lights in each space.
Do your homework
The first thing to start with is to look at each room and decide what all the possible uses that it can be put to. Depending on that, you must choose lights so that they serve the purpose. For instance, in a study room you need bright lights as well as focus reading lights.
Likewise, if you are planning to put up wall paintings accent lights will work well. Again in bedrooms you might look for muted and soft tone lightings, perhaps mood lighting as well.
Ensure your kitchen has bright lights so that you can cook easily and for the dining space you may need drop lights over the table. Bathrooms will benefit from lighting that allows you to see wet spots on the floor and which minimises shadows. For outdoor areas a floodlight with a motion sensor fitted for security and special lighting for alfresco dining will work well. The size of the room dictates how many fittings will be required.
Also positioning, whether it is directional or aims to diffuse, makes a difference to the light in your home.
Light also varies based on the surfaces - Walls, furniture, carpet, ceilings and mirrors. Additionally, budget for other fixtures like lamp shades and bulbs at various spaces as light fixtures make for a great décor element as well. A room that faces north has indirect natural lighting and does not create harsh shadows. East facing rooms give you great light in the morning while west facing rooms have a wonderful hue in the evening. South facing rooms let in the most natural light for your home.
Going green
Lights today are turning environment friendly and to ensure that your electricity bills don’t burn a hole in your pocket, opt for LED lights. And if you are concerned about the high prices of the same, fret not as they last several years. You can also use sensor-based lights in your home.
Simply explained, these are lights that switch on automatically when you enter the room and switch off when you are away. They sense your presence and hence can be safely used to conserve power. While you must avoid halogen lamps you can use CFL lamps as an alternative.
Decide the kind of fixtures you need as well as the placement of the light circuits. You can actually use technology to control all the lights of your home from your smart phone!
Execute right
The golden rule of good lighting design is to use the right type of light fitting in the right position.
Once you have planned and selected fixtures, ensure that you keep a copy of the design and take it to the light store. Try and keep to the plan you have made and improvise only if there is a better option. Dramatic lights make a small room feel bigger. As do vertical lights that make a room feel taller. Lighting turns your house into a home and allows your personality to shine through. Remember that lights set the mood and tone of a space and you can make or break it with lights.
(Article courtesy-Karthik Tallam, Founder, AURA)