Obviously, the primary purpose of an electric light is creating light in a space where sufficient light would otherwise be unavailable. However, different light fixtures can vary in exactly what kind of illumination they create — and, of course, the design of the unit in which they are encased.
Hence, it can pay to be picky about precisely what lighting pieces you source for your home. Here are a few things you could do to guide yourself towards making the right choices.
Measure the space itself
“To be sure a ceiling fixture is large enough for your space, especially a chandelier, a quick guideline is to measure the length and width of the room,” designer Billy Ceglia tells The Spruce. “Then add them together and convert to inches, and that will give a standing point for the ideal size for a light fixture.”
He further explains that a fixture of 36-inch width, for example, would suit a room spanning 20 by 15 feet. However, you should also…
Consider the fixture’s visual weight
This needs to be another factor before you decide whether a particular light fixture is just the right size for the room where it is intended to be installed.
Ceglia notes that if the lighting unit in question is “light and airy, it may be better to size up”. Meanwhile, with a “dark and massive” alternative, “sizing down might be a better option.” Fortunately, when you peruse, say, the wide range of Pagazzi lighting solutions, you could boost your chances of a successful find.
Balance architectural lighting with decorative lighting
Designer Barry Goralnick urges you to strike a “perfect” balance here. “Integral lighting on the ceiling gives an overall glow, and is best to light art and sculptures as well as the more mundane tasks like cleaning,” he says.
Goralnick adds that, in contrast, “table and floor lamps illuminate reading, games, and intimate gatherings.” If the room has screens and planters, these “can be even more drastic with lighting on the floor,” he continues.
Mix up the levels of lighting in your home
Naturally, particular lights tend to be designed for use at specific levels. For example, while chandeliers can serve a striking aesthetic purpose, you are unlikely to rely heavily on them when undertaking certain intricate tasks, like unscrewing the battery compartment of a TV remote.
Scenarios like this are one reason why it would be wise for you to vary exactly where in the room you position lighting. Doing so can eliminate dark areas while creating a soothingly ambient lighting effect.
Consider when the lights are likely to be used
During the day, especially in the summer, you could opt to keep many of your home’s lights switched off, given abundant natural sunlight available and appreciable savings you could make on your household energy bills.
However, as an Ideal Home article notes, “a piece may only reveal its full potential when illuminated” — and a light “may become far more exotic once darkness falls, casting wonderful rays and shadows”.
We invest most of our energy and time on the design and lighting of the interior of our homes, and because of that, we neglect to care for our outdoors. Even if we care for the plants and flowers in our garden often, garden lighting seems to be the last option when it comes to designing our homes.
Perhaps, we just don’t know the importance of an outdoor lighting. Or, maybe, we think more of the cost and labor, and less of the practical and aesthetic benefits that outdoor lights give to our homes.
Just a gist, outdoor lighting brings beauty to our exteriors by highlighting garden focal points such as our marvelous collection of different types of plants, or in creating a particular mood or ambiance for various styles of landscape designs. Aside from that, outdoor lights have safety and practical purposes. For example, they are used to light our frequently used pathways, grill area, and outdoor dining table.
Sounds good, isn’t it?
If you have now a change of heart and eager to bring the focus this time in lighting your outdoor areas, here are some modern lighting ideas that you can utilize to your advantage.
Bollard Lights
Bollards are great modern lights to cast a particular mood to your pathways and driveways. This type of lighting will give your guests a clear direction of where to walk. But it is advisable to place them sparingly at wide intervals to enjoy the contrast of light and shadow during the night.
Lamp Posts
Lamp posts are kind of similar in structure to bollard lights, but the former has more in height than the latter. Like bollards, it can provide direction when you place them in your walkways and driveways. It can also be a great feature not only as a light source but in adding character, charm, and elegance to your garden.
Most lamp posts come in traditional styles, but there are modern ones which are solar-powered that can complement to the contemporary setting of your gardens while also saving energy when you use them.
In-ground Lights
If you want a light for your garden that is concealed and unobtrusive, in-ground light is for you.
In-ground lights are perfect in providing subtle yet essential illumination for both safety and aesthetic appeal. For instance, it can add drama in casting its light under tall trees and dense foliage in your garden, while it is a staple in lighting pathways for you to walk your garden at night safely.
Garden Spike Lights
Garden spike light is a great modern outdoor lighting that is easy to install on a soft surface in your garden. It highlights a key landscape feature in your gardens such as an elegant palm or pine tree.
Most spike lights are LEDs, so you won’t have to worry about high electricity cost as LED lights are energy efficient. They also come in various colors to suit a particular style of a garden.
Modern Lanterns
If you want to combine a retro and modern style to your garden, modern lanterns will do the work.
Modern lanterns are attractive as garden lighting design because they add a romantic atmosphere to your garden. They are also easy to move if you want to transfer them at will and come in a wide range of style that will suit your aesthetic biases. You can put them at the corners of the garden, beside the outdoor dining table, or on both sides of the pathway.
The traditional lanterns use candles as light, but modern ones use LED for both safety and energy-saving purposes.
String Lights
String lights have the power to turn a simple, ordinary space into something like those you see in the fairy tales. They are also inexpensive and proved to be an easy way to light and beautify your garden. Just hang them in the tree, and your heart will skip a beat when you see them.
For a cozy and elegant ambiance for your garden, string lights are the best!
Orbs and Sphere Lights
If you want to pull another trick to turn your garden into something magical aside from string lights, orb- or sphere-shaped lights will do wonders.
Orbs and sphere lights come in a variety of colors. The more traditional color is the white color. It will set a modern and elegant mood when you hang them to light your garden and patio. But, if you want a more fun atmosphere for your outdoor area, you can go for the colored orbs and spheres.
You can hang them in a branching tree or float them in a small pond in your garden.
Pots and Planter Lights
If you think you know more about pots and planters because you have them in your garden serving as containers for your plants, think again.
Pots and planters don’t do just that. They also serve a dual purpose as both plant containers and light sources. They come in a variety of sizes and colors of light that will surely accentuate your plant collections and will provide an elegant beauty to your garden.
Takeaway
Gardens are an important aspect of our homes. Thus, it is only necessary that we give as much attention in providing beauty to them as we do with our interiors. Choosing the perfect modern outdoor lighting is one way to provide them with that.
Spring is the perfect time to give your home a makeover. The warmer days, with their additional daylight, will give you the impetus to renew your living space.
Here are five ideas to use when renovating your house.
1. The walls
Why not take some inspiration from the experts? It’s amazing how a fresh coat of paint can transform a room and if you want to get some additional ideas on colour and wall coverings take a look at The Ideal Home website. Remember that even though virulent green, for example, may be the colour of choice for interior designers, it might not suit your house, especially if the rooms are small. Sometimes it’s better to opt for more neutral colours and then personalise the space with some pictures or lighting effects.
Spring is the perfect time to give your home a makeover (photo Imgur)
2. The floor
An old carpet can very easily make a room look tired and unloved. If the carpet is threadbare, and beyond repair, this might be a good time to think of an alternative floor covering. You might consider a visit to a specialist such as www.easystepflooring.co.uk in order to have a look at natural wooden floors. These are easy to clean, and they will enhance the natural dimensions of your room.
3. The main bedroom
All too often busy parents spend their time and energy on their children’s rooms and neglect the appearance of their own room. A bedroom should be the place where you can relax at the end of an arduous day. Take a good look around the room; see if you can include a comfortable chair with your décor. The lighting should be calming; a dimmer switch is always a good idea. Good Housekeeping is an excellent resource for new ideas. Sometimes you just need to change the soft furnishings to affect a total transformation.
4. Furniture
It may be too expensive to replace all of your furniture, but you can always reupholster tired sofas and chairs. If your room is small, try not to choose a busy or vibrant pattern. You can always visit your local charity shop or auction house for additional furniture and restoring good quality wooden desks or chairs can actually be good fun. If you are following an overall theme for your house, try to stick to it. Though, with shabby chic, the rules demand to be broken.
5. Lighting
Most rooms can be enhanced with clever lighting. A single overhead light can be very harsh, so why not balance the appearance of your room with a mix of sidelights, spots and dimmed lights? Halogen bulbs are useful for mimicking daylight if your room is dark. You can also use tinted light bulbs, rather than the standard white variety. Remember that a simple change of lampshades can also change your room’s ambience.
You don’t have to spend a fortune when transforming your home. As long as you employ a little imagination, carry out some research and be realistic about the effect that you are trying to achieve, you’ll be able to give your house the makeover it deserves.
