Thursday, March 18, 2010

Room Lighting Tips


The most amazing furniture or paint job can feel drab without the proper lighting! When decorating your room, lighting can play just as important a role as furnishings. Light can affect how your entire space FEELS and it is important to set the right tone." Every decorating plan should include layers of lighting to maximize (and change) the feel of the room: Overall or Ambient, Task and Accent.
* Ambient lighting is the overall wash of light in the space. This would be a chandelier or hi hats, or recessed lighting.
* Task lighting provides a more direct concentration of light to help you see what you are focusing on. This could be a desk, floor or table lamp. It could also be under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen.
* Accent lighting is used to create mood in a space. It is also a way to highlight important architectural details in your space. Accent lights can be picture mounted to highlight artwork, cove lighting along the ceiling, table lamps, etc.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match the different types of lighting—the more layers you have, the more warmth you can create. If you’re afraid of the harshness of the lights, try dimmers too.
To get a romantic glow, use low lighting—try a three-way bulb but keep it lit on the lowest light, and put the overhead lighting on dimmer. A romantic look can also be achieved by the style of lighting that you choose—light fixtures with a warm patina, such as an oil rubbed bronze finish, are great for this look. The shades may have a more traditional shape such as a bell shape or they may be embellished with trim or crystal.