5 Must-read lighting ideas to spruce up your home

Must-read lighting ideas to spruce up your home

For many homeowners, lighting comes as an afterthought in interior design. When done right, lighting is the unsung element that brings your design to the next level. Sunlight is the most natural beneficial light source there is in a home for its physically and mentally stimulating effects, however, it’s very difficult to control. Sunlight will differ with the position and layout of your home and that is where artificial lighting comes into play. Artificial lighting is a necessity in our everyday lives.

One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to lighting is to think “one fits all”. Different rooms in a home call for a different type of lighting depending on location and functionality. Each type of light is good for a particular space in the house and reality light works best in layers. Given the wide array of lighting options in the market, the best design pieces offered by Mohd stand out. Mohd offers an extensive selection of home decor, lighting, and furniture from international iconic design brands such as Cassina, B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau, Baxter, and other contemporary and emerging brands. When it comes to lighting, the store features timeless accessories and designs that stand the test of time. Before deciding the type of light accessories you need for your home, read the below tips to give you an idea of impeccably lighting your home;

Lighting is a strong influence on the personality of any room hence it’s paramount to understand the basics. Simple lighting schemes can create a huge impact on a space. The last thing you want to do is install a bright overhead light shining down a living room when you are trying to watch the TV. The goal of good lighting is to introduce varying degrees of light to a room and this is called layering.

  • Let the room layout dictate

After understating the various types of lights there are, it’s time to decide how and where the light will be placed. The decision of one point over the other is ultimately a matter of personal preference, some standard layouts are universal. Entryways call for dramatic lighting such as a chandelier overhead whereas the living room can do with recessed lighting or an overhead fixture to create a focal point. Table lamps and nightstands are great for the bedrooms and task lights are a good addition around mirrors for the bathroom.

House lighting ideas

  • Consider size and aesthetics

The type of light accessory you choose can make or break the lighting scheme of your home. You ought to determine how big the fixtures need to be and this will involve finding the right diameter as compared to the space in the room. Invest in oversized accessories such as round bulbs, pendant lights and a sculptural design that will spruce up the mood in the room and instantly bring a vibe to space.

  • Mix it up for drama

Experts will advise that you need more than one source of light in a room. Every room should at least have 3 three types of lighting which include overhead, accent, and task light. Ambient lighting is the foundation of all lighting, overhead lights offer functionality and accent lights could be used to highlight special features in a room such as a wall art or a mirror.

Three types of lighting to use in your home —  do you know what they are?

You don’t need to become an expert in lighting, but it’s good to know the basics about it when looking for lights in your home. For instance, there are three main types of lighting that you can install in your home. Keep reading for the details. Typically, a room requires at least two different kinds of lighting, and some rooms have all three of them.

Ambient lighting

The primary source of light for a room is ambient lighting. Overhead fixtures and recessed lighting are in this category, but there are many other models included. Typically, the contractor decides the amount of ambient lighting for a room. He will measure the lighting in “foot-candles.” Most of the time, bathrooms and kitchens require brighter lighting than the other rooms.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is the most decorative type of lighting in a room. Accent lights will draw attention to something you wish to highlight, such as a fireplace, a piece of art, or a bookshelf. These lights will make an item stand out most of the time so that everyone entering the room can admire it.

The variety of models for accent lights ranges from elegant and simple to sophisticated and high-end. Sconces, chandeliers, and lamps are all accent lights.

 

5 Must-read lighting ideas to spruce up your home

Task lighting

Task lighting is installed to offer light for specific activities, such as doing the makeup in front of a mirror or sewing a button. You don’t use task lighting to brighten a whole room, but only a small area of it.

There are many shapes and sizes for task lights. You can set up task lighting on a wall, built it into a mirror, or  have it sit on a desk. Some of these lights come with swivel/rotating functions for versatile use and even adjustable angle.

What lighting categories are there?

Learning the basics about the types of lighting is just the beginning. You can also go through the basics about the lighting models on the market. The most significant of these options are noted down below.

Flush mounts & semi-flush mounts

These lights are rooted in the ceiling so that they brighten the room without affecting the walking space. They don’t need much space as they hang away from the ceiling six to twelve inches.

Sconces

Sconces are always set up directly on the wall. It’s possible to hardwire the sconces into the walls or you can use a cord to hang down for plugging in.

Lamps

Most households have at least one lamp inside. Typically, you don’t use lamps to brighten a whole room and they work great as task lights.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers are large lighting systems as they offer more than one light source at a time. According to the room they’re installed, they require suspension from the ceiling and can have a functional and/ or decorative role.

Pendants

Pendant lights stand out as they hang really low from the ceiling by a chain, cord, or a kind of wire. A pendant is supposed to work as a task light and hangs above a dining room table or kitchen island. You can find pendants in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Different rooms in your home require different lighting. Here are the tips to choose them right!

The rooms in your home have various functions and lighting needs. We suggest you keep in mind our recommendations when choosing the lighting in your home.

Entryway

You need to make the entryway an inviting and friendly space, as it’s the first space your guests see when they enter your home. Don’t install many task lights nor accent lights. Instead, you should set up a chandelier right in the middle of the ceiling, especially if the ceiling is tall.

If your ceiling isn’t tall, you can use a lighting fixture that gives a warm light.

Living room

The living room is the space where you relax and have a pleasant and fun time with your family and friends. You want to have the possibility to brighten the room whenever necessary, but not all the time. Table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces are the most appropriate options for the living room.

Consider using dimmer switches for the living room so that you put the bright light on and adjust it as necessary.

Dining room

You need enough light to eat and have a lovely conversation in the dining room. It doesn’t mean that you have to use led lights, though. You should install a chandelier right in the middle of the dining room table. If the idea doesn’t work for you, you may set up a couple of pendant lights and hang them right above the dining room table.

Remember not to have the pendant lights hanging too low; you don’t want to hit your head every time you reach for something.

Kitchen

It’s a challenge to find the best lighting for the kitchen, as its various areas have various lighting needs. For example, you need to use bright lighting over the kitchen island but dimmer lighting in areas that you use less frequently.

Opt for pendant lights if you have an open bar, a wide sink, or a fantastic kitchen island. They’re both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Bedroom

You only need warm lighting in your bedroom. You can use task lighting to read a book by the bed or install a lamp by your bedside table.

Consider installing a dimmer switch for the bedroom so that you can have different levels of brightness.

Bathroom

Sconces and bright LED lights are excellent choices for the mirrors in the bathrooms, as they work as focal points in the bathroom. Make sure that the lights are near the face height to get the most excellent results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a type of light that can improve your vision?

Warm light is the most appropriate for your vision. Natural light and light generated by LED lights and incandescent bulbs are the best options to help you see better without harming your eyes.

Full-spectrum light bulbs are also a reliable choice as they’re similar to the warm natural lighting of the sun. Unlike natural light, they don’t generate harmful UV rays.

What light is the most flattering?

Most lighting designers and interior designers suggest that lighting sources with a color temperature of 2700 Kelvins give the most flattering light. It’s a soft yellow light.

How many lights should you install in your home?

The average light for homes is 67 lights, with 85 lights for single-family homes and 25 for multi-family homes. Mobile homes require around 38 lights. However, the number varies deeply as different households have different lighting needs. Typically, a single-family home will require three times as many lights as a multi-family home.

How much will you pay for an electrician to set up a ceiling light?

When it’s possible to use the current wiring, your spending will include the light itself and $50 to $100 per hour for the electrician to install the lights. The average expenditure for light installation is $400, and most people spend anywhere from $150 to 4500 for light fixture installation.

You can also go out and buy a light fixture and set it up in your house where you already have light. Do it safely, and make sure you take safety measures before setting up the new lights.

Why don’t apartments have ceiling lights?

Apartment ceiling lights aren’t mandatory, according to the building codes states by the government. As a result, architects and engineers don’t necessarily install ceiling fixtures in the design. They do so to cut down the spending of the building owner.

About Amanda

I love to buy a lot of products for the home, and dissect them out. I split them into duds and winners, and share the findings here on my site. As a reader of my site, I'm aiming for your next purchase to be an informed and inspired one.

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