Lighting can make or break the whole look of your home. Doing it the right way can definitely change the look or feel of the whole space. Finding the perfect balance is key when it comes to finding the perfect lighting. You would want the lighting in your house to be efficient and also to add that vibe that you’ve been wanting for.
Each part of your house has its own character. For example, your bedroom is meant for sleeping while your office is meant for completing your daily tasks. Each character needs the perfect lighting to completely meet with the functionality that it needs.
To get started, you have to learn the three basic lighting that’s always a must:
- General lighting: This type of lighting is the one that gives the whole space full illumination.
- Task lighting: This lighting helps you with specific tasks such as reading, writing, and grooming.
- Accent lighting: This is the one that gives that extra oomph to your space.
Now that you know the basics, here are some quick tips and tricks on installing the perfect lighting in each of your rooms.
1. Living room
The living room is the center of your house. It’s the first thing that people will see once they step inside your property. It’s important that this part of the house will feel welcoming and homey to you and to your guests.
- Living room is a part of your house that’s always in use. Use task lights to brighten work areas in this space. Task lighting also includes desk and side table lamps that illuminate areas used for paying bills or writing thank-you notes.
- Accent lights add style to your living room. It adds direct attention to spots that you want to accentuate.
- Add ambiance through the use of a single chandelier. If your living room’s motif is all white, then make sure to use a chandelier that adds a pop of color.
2. Bedroom
Your bedroom is where you relax, chill, and unwind. That’s why it’s a must that your bedroom’s lighting won’t stress you out and help you fall asleep instead. You must also think about how your bedroom is your private sanctuary: it’s where you read your book, change your clothes, and spend quality time to yourself.
- Keep it light. Avoid lamp shades that have opaque colors because this will only bring out the darkness in your bedroom.
- Think about what you need. Do you need lighting to your bedside table? So you need nightstands. Figure out which ones fit you and start from there.
- Set the mood by installing dimmers on lights for altering effects.
- Use high tech controls. It will be so much easier for you to control the lights when you’re already tucked in your bed.
3. Bathroom
The most private part of your house, your bathroom should also exude with functionality since we do many things there. Because we spend a large amount of our time in our bathroom, did you know it?
- Task lighting is very important here, especially in the mirror/sink area where you wash your face and brush your teeth. Use 75 to 100 watts for guest and masters bathroom.
- Install art in your bathroom to spice things up! Make sure that the art that you have chosen is highlighted by adding accent lights around it.
- Do add some scented candles around in your bedroom. It will put your bathroom in the right mood and help relax you immediately.
4. Kitchen and Dining room
The busiest part of the house, the kitchen must have proper lighting or else all your Julia Child-inspired recipes will go in awry. Meanwhile, the dining room must feel clean and comfortable since this is the place where you and the whole family bond over food.
- Put your task lighting in invisible parts of the kitchen such as the cabinet and recessed fixtures.
- Do not underestimate the use of natural light. It can create a homey and safe vibe to your kitchen.
- Your general lighting should be located on walkways, prep areas, sinks, and countertops. Make sure that there won’t be any dark space in your kitchen.
5. Outdoors
Landscape lighting is harder than other spaces, since the lighting must be able to compliment nighttime.
- Place your lighting on paths, entries, driveways, steps, decks, and gazebo – in any space where a human being may be found.
- You can also illuminate your pool – if you have one. Install low voltage LED lighting to spark up the fun whenever you host night parties.
- Make sure to illuminate parts of the outdoors that are too dark, for security purposes.
The final rule in installing lighting is making sure that it perfectly fits the motif of the house. Plan out the whole look beforehand and coordinate with your interior designer. Your house will surely look like the star of your subdivision!
