Lighting has the power to completely change the look and feel of a room. You can use it to make a space seem more open, or to make it more warm. Depending on the particular room you’re decorating, you might require different lighting. From the type of bulb to the design of the shade or chandelier, these tips will help you to decide on the best lighting for your home.
Consider the room
Each room in your home serves a different purpose, and the lighting should reflect that:
- Bedroom: The lighting in your bedroom should be cozy and ambient. In general, it’s recommended to have any bedroom lighting facing away from the bed.
- Kitchen: Lighting in the kitchen should be functional. Overhead lighting for countertops, islands and sinks will help to make the kitchen an easier space to work in.
- Living Room: Living rooms generally have more space and, similarly to a bedroom, require cozy and ambient lighting. However, they also offer an opportunity to include an accent light that goes well with other furniture in the room, such as a standing lamp.
- Dining Room: Soft overhead lighting will make your dining room table stand out, and will also illuminate the prepared dishes or table settings.
- Bathroom: Bathroom lighting should be bright, but still flattering. There are many options for lighting a bathroom that will help to reduce shadows, such as lighting over the mirror and overhead lighting, or a combination of these.
These aren’t the only rooms you might have in your home. Your work space, entryway, hallway and any other areas of your home can benefit from proper lighting. Determining the intention of the light is an important first step.
Functionality
The design of your lighting is important, however you always want your lighting to be functional. Ensure you’ve accounted for lighting that will increase your home’s safety, such as around the perimeter of your home.
The lightbulb
There are many lightbulbs on the market to choose from, and each will create the a different atmosphere for the room it’s in. Some of the most common bulbs include:
- LED: These are a popular choice for many because of their long lifespan. They have a warm, bright light, similar to incandescent bulbs, however they are more energy efficient.
- Incandescent: They produce a similar light as LED bulbs, but don’t last as long.
- CFL: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs are very energy efficient, however they emit a cool-toned light.
- Halogen: These aren’t best for every room, and are very white and bright.
Considering how you’d like the room to look, understanding how to incorporate functionality and choosing the appropriate light bulb are all ways to ensure you choose the best lighting for your room.
