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It’s always nice to have a light-bulb moment. Especially when that moment is about light bulbs.
Lighting is one of the most underrated parts of home design. It can increase your home value by showing that you have nothing to hide, encouraging prospective buyers to pay more.
But modern lighting is about more than placing a few bulbs in the ceiling. You need to consider the kinds and colors of modern indoor lighting and your most important spaces.
Thankfully, you can learn the basics in a couple of minutes. Here is a quick guide, so keep reading to learn more.
Modern light fixtures come in layers. Mixing and matching these layers provides comfort and accessibility to any interior space.
Ambient lighting is a necessity for every room. Fixtures provide an overall level of light, usually cast down from the ceiling. Ambient light sources include recessed bulbs, track lights, and chandeliers.
Task lighting allows a person to perform a specific task. It provides intense and direct light that detailed work requires. Task light sources do include desk lamps, but you can consider vanity lights and pendants.
Accent lighting casts a spotlight on home decorations. It can also illuminate far corners of the room where ambient lights cannot reach. Sources include recessed fixtures and wall sconces.
You want ambient and at least one other layer of light in every room. Whether task or accent lighting is best depends on the room itself.
Task lights are best for rooms where you do work, like offices and kitchens. Accent lights are best for the living room, foyer, and hallways. If you have display cases or works of art, you can also use accent lighting for those.
Light is electromagnetic radiation. It has a temperature measured in Kelvin, and the temperature is related to the color it produces. You can consider whether you want to buy warm lights or cool lights.
At 2700 Kelvin, light produces a warm white color. This provides a cozy and inviting air to a room. Warm white lights are ideal for common spaces like living and dining rooms.
At 3000 Kelvin, light produces a cool white color. Cool white makes a space feel warm and welcoming. It is great for entryways and outdoor spaces, including patios.
At 4000 Kelvin, the light appears bright white. It is a little less cozy, but it provides a sense of energy. Bright white lights are best for workspaces, especially offices and garages.
At 5000 Kelvin, the light appears similar to daylight. It has a bluish tone that seems crisp and natural. You can use these lights for security purposes or as task lights since they provide good contrast.
In the bedroom, lighting should provide a sense of calm and ease. You do need ambient lighting, but you do not need very powerful lights. A ceiling fan illuminates the room while providing a source of cool air and white noise.
Bedside lamps are perfect task lights. If you want to free up your nightstand, you can place a wall sconce above the table.
Place curtains over your windows to keep lights from outside from getting in. These lights can keep you awake and ruin the mood of your ambient fixtures. Do make sure you can move the curtains if you want natural light.
Most people light their bathrooms with a vanity light above their mirror. They add one more ambient fixture on the ceiling, usually a recessed bulb. These fixtures provide adequate light, but they can seem a little stale.
For a glamorous appearance, you can install a chandelier. If you’re worried about ventilation, you can add a bathroom fan. You can also install a fan with light as your ambient source.
For a simpler project, you can place sconces on either side of the bathroom mirror. They illuminate the far sides of the room while providing cross-illumination. This makes use of the mirror easier.
If you want a spotlight on your shower, use a recessed light. They don’t get in the way and don’t fog up with condensation.
In addition to layers and color temperature, there are several tips you can follow for lighting your kitchen. You use your kitchen a lot, so it’s very important that you have adequate lighting.
Don’t forget about natural lights. Make use of your windows, providing reflective surfaces on the ceiling for the light to shine in. Don’t cover them with thick curtains that block light, especially during the day.
Place task lights above all food prep areas. This includes stoves and sinks. Pendant fixtures work fine, but make sure they are not in the way.
You can still decorate the room. Install a large fixture with an interesting design to give the space personality.
Do consider how others look into the kitchen. If a large fixture blocks views of the space, don’t hang one.
If that’s not ideal, you can install a line of hemisphere lights. They provide midcentury style with modern construction elements like smooth white glass.
If you rely on your kitchen as a conversation space, install dimmers. Dimmed lights create a sense of intimacy and privacy.
Modern lighting may seem a little complicated, but the essentials are straightforward, yet profound.
Place ambient lights in all rooms, then add in the task and accent fixtures. Place warm lights in common spaces and cool lights in work areas.
Bedroom lighting should be intimate, relying on desk lamps. Consider adding glamor to the bathroom with a chandelier. Place several layers of lights in your kitchen, including natural light.
Turn to the experts on home decor design, no matter where you live in the US. Wilbur Davis Studios provides premium lighting and furniture. Contact us today!