How to Use Lighting as an Interior Design Element
How to Use Lighting as an Interior Design Element
Interior design is comprised of many different parts. All of them are interconnected so they can work in harmony when used together. Lighting is an essential piece of any design puzzle since you can’t see, or make art and design without light. No matter what lighting you have in your home, you can utilize it to bring out all the other features of your interior design project. If you want to know how to use lighting as an interior design element, read on.
Types of Lighting
Before any usage of light in interior design, you will need information on different types of lighting. Lighting usually has the most impact on how a room or building looks and feels. Different lights create a different effect and can affect the mood, productivity, and many other aspects of comfortable living. Hanging lighting is usually placed in the centre of the room or over specific areas to highlight and enhance the look and feel of the space. Recessed lighting provides overall glow, and direct lighting highlights a specific spot. Combining these lights can give you endless design possibilities.
Increased Functionality
Besides design, lighting can affect the functionality of a space or spot. Increased functionality is needed in many rooms and spaces, including the kitchen, office, or anywhere a person spends the most time. Functional lighting in an office space can increase productivity since good lighting will make reading documents and working long hours more enjoyable and productive. The Kitchen is also a space where functionality is a staple. Preparing meals must be done efficiently and safely, and that’s what good lighting can provide.
Quantity of Light
The number of light sources also affect the performance and design of a space. Too little lighting can increase the possibility of injury or ineffective working. You can’t perform at your best if you don’t have enough lights. Too many lights can make being in a room uncomfortable, and increase eye strain, and physical and emotional stress. Too many lights or too strong lights create glare, making it difficult to see. You need enough light to read easily, but without the glare that can increase the strain on your eyes.
Colour of Lights
Lights come in different colours that can affect the mood and design of the room. Yellow, incandesce lights are easier on the eyes and don’t cause too much eyestrain. They provide a soft, warm glow that naturally illuminates the whole room or one spot. They can be used for ambient lighting too. White lights are often too harsh and can cause glares, increasing eye strain, and inducing headaches after some time. Lights can be any other colour too. Red lights create a romantic atmosphere, green lights are natural, but can increase eye strain, blue lights can be unnerving, etc. Choose the colour of light depending on the mood you want to accentuate, and depending on the usage of that space.
Natural Lighting
The best source of lighting is natural lighting. It is the most pleasant for eyes and mood if done right. Windows are the main source of natural light in a building, and their position directly affects the amount and quality of light the room gets. Windows placed in wrong places can unnecessarily increase the temperature of the room, or not provide any sunlight at all. A large window can let in a lot of natural light and increase productivity and mood of the room. The natural lighting has to work with its nearby space to bring the maximum out of it. Wooden wall cladding is the best material to be used alongside natural light to turn an ordinary building into an amazing home.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting can be used in many ways to enhance and spotlight a feature or part of space. If you have special artwork you want your guests to focus on, accent lights can help you. People are made to follow the light source, so it’s easy to redirect attention to where you want it to go. Accent light can provide shimmer and soft light to bring the best out of any artwork or feature in your home. If you want stronger accents, halogen lights are the most intense.
Lighting is the most important feature in any designed space, as it affects many things, including mood, productivity, focus, visibility, appearance, etc. Depending on your needs and what you want to enhance, choose light sources and colours that will complement your space the most.
