Lighting is often overlooked when furnishing a home. It's fundamental though to the look and ambiance of any room. It can set the tone you wish to create. It can define the mood you want to feel. It can increase the efficiency of your work. It's true that it has an impact on your everyday lifestyle. Many people spend a significant amount of time so getting the lighting correct is worthwhile.
Aligning lighting with the purpose of each room
Defining the goal of each room in your home prior to choosing a solution is a key stage. List each room in your home and bullet point the purpose and mood you wish to create. Is it a place where you want to relax? Is it a room where you wish to work or study? These declarations help inform which solution best suits the purpose of the room.
Kitchen
Kitchens usually consist of functional and decorative lighting. In simple terms functional lighting helps kitchen tasks to be completed whilst decorative lighting creates an overall ambiance with fills the room. The ability to dim the lighting is a welcome addition to any kitchen. Increasing the light levels while reading or cooking is extremely useful and the ability to dim the lighting when eating or having a conversation creates a great ambiance. Having separate dimmers for different types of lighting such as task or ambiance is becoming more common in modern housing.
Trying to fill the kitchen with just one ceiling mounted lighting fixture is a common mistake. This creates a glaring light in some areas and shadows in others. No single light can provide a kitchen with all the light it requires.
Bathroom
Whilst generally being a small room, the bathroom still needs to be well lit. It does not want to be glaring or overpowering. Natural light from windows needs to be a consideration as to how it will affect any artificial lighting. Concentrated lighting needs to be applied around a mirror for shaving and general grooming.
Popular bathroom lighting solutions include spotlights, wall / mirror lights and even candlelight for creating a natural, ambient mood.
Need professional input?
If you really do need help with lighting in your home you can consider using a lighting designer. Visit the International Association of Lighting Designers to find a professional. He or she will study many elements within each room to determine the amount of light needed to fill the room and recommended light placement.