Lighting is the interior design secret that makes or breaks the look of your home. Unfortunately, it’s one of the trickiest things to get right. The best interior designers know exactly how to utilize different lighting styles and shades to create the perfect ambience.
With the right techniques, you can create a cozy, romantic glow in the bedroom. You can find the perfect warm vibe for your living room, and a functional, tasteful light in the kitchen. So, what exactly are these secrets? Well, we tracked down some of the experts, and squeezed their best-kept tricks out of them!
Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. Dimmer switches
Installing dimmer switches is the easiest way to immediately change the ambience in your home. Too many people stick to the same on-off switches, without realizing how much difference a dimmer makes. Not only does it create a softer, warmer light, it’s super easy to install. If you’re a little DIY savvy, you can even put one in yourself!
Trust us, you’ll appreciate the difference when you achieve that lovely romantic glow.
2. Rule of three
The biggest weapon in the interior designer’s arsenal is the ‘layer lighting’ trick. This means sticking to the rule of three. Essentially, you ought to have three layers of lights in every room. The first is an overhead. We prefer a chandelier style rather than spotlights, but it depends on the room. You can even take a look at Quorum International ceiling fans; they often come with a central overhead light fitted. After that, you need smaller ‘task’ lights dotted around the room in functional spaces. These are lamps or task-specific spot lights. Finally, finish it all with ambient lighting, such as candles or tasteful fairy lights.
3. Don’t forget about natural light
When it comes to lighting solutions, we often forget the biggest light of all: the sun! The sun provides the best light source for the home, especially during the summer. Natural light is the best way to flood your home, and provide all the energy you need. It helps reduce dark shadows that often come with overhead lighting, and provides a healthier light-source. Let as much in as possible by removing thick curtains and keeping the blinds rolled up.
4. Efficiency
While this isn’t strictly a decorative trick, you should always look for energy efficient lightbulbs. They last up to ten times longer than average bulbs, so they’re great for the home; good for your budget; and good for the environment. Initially, they had a strange fluorescent glow to them. But, they’ve improved significantly since the early days! The best ones provide a lovely warm glow, perfect for your task lights and overheads.
5. Shades are everything
Finally, don’t forget about the right lamp shades. The tone and color make a big impact on the ambience of the light. Opt for warmer creams and yellows if you want a soft, subtle glow. Avoid whites and cold colours at all costs.
There you have it, folks! We hope that opens your eyes to the best lighting tricks out there. Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments below!
