Less is not More when Lighting Your Home

5/18/2005 5:08:15 PM

The often quoted design line, “Less is More” simply doesn’t apply when considering your lighting needs.

Natural light is great but it changes so radically with the seasons that it is critical to plan all types and colors of light in your home. After all, light is the #1 cure for a boring dark interior and has much to do with your homes’ personality and your well-being!

Consider the three basic types of lighting:

• General Lighting or Ambient Lighting: Usually ceiling lights intended to light up the room and bounce light off walls and ceilings directing you safely from area to area. Recessed, ceiling mounted, and track lights fall into this category.

• Task Lighting: Illuminates the activity – reading, cooking, and dining are good examples. This light needs to be close to your “work” and glare-free! Under-counter kitchen lighting, stair tread lights, and reading lamps are nice accents at night too!

• Accent Lighting: Highlights your accessories and architectural elements to attract attention and direct focus. These can be up lights and torchere lamps, wall sconces, picture lights, and even direct spotlights. Plan to show off your rooms’ best features!

How do I know what I need? Your home benefits from a lighting plan that balances and directs your light at all levels. Start at a good lighting store for expert advice and for the newest trends and styles. They will be most helpful if you do your homework first: Note the natural light in each room, the room sizes, where you read, how your family uses each area, and how your existing lights function.

Be open to new creative lighting ideas . . . innovative lighting may add the punch and updating your home needs! Be sure to see the new halogen mini-spots, pendant lights, and suspension systems that are truly sculptural. Realize that hanging chandeliers are being used in many places besides in the foyer or over your dining room table. Consider them for a corner in your living room, over a piano, or even over your bedside tables for a dressy look. Do get an electrician to change fixtures, add amps, and bring in new outlets. They are also a wealth of good ideas and know-how!

Add flexibility with dimmer switches, 3-way bulbs, track lighting, and rope lighting. Do not use halogen bulbs in lamps that children can reach. The bulbs can get scorching hot and can cause injury quickly if touched.

Add Mood Lighting for ambiance:

The simple candle is an easy source and is available in almost any size, shape, and color. Use Caution – add hurricane chimneys for a more stable flame and coasters or dishes to catch dripping wax. Keep out of reach of children! Cluster candles for better light and a flickering attraction.

Shine light up through your plants with light-cans, casting wonderful shadows on the walls and ceiling. Add rope-lighting on top of an armoire or cabinet to highlight a display
Or under a valance to bring the eye up, and remember wall sconces to wash your walls with a soft glow (either candle or electrical). These tricks add romance for soft evening light.

Spread light around, balancing it to illuminate special objects and adding pools of light to move from and into. Augment your general lighting with lamps aimed at dark areas.

Great looking lamps and interesting style options can add design detail to your rooms, but lighting need not always call attention to itself. It is the unsung hero in making your whole room work together seamlessly!