Whether it is a romantic dining room or a home office, finding the right lighting for each space in your home is essential to making it functional and inviting. So what should you consider when choosing lamps or lighting fixtures to ensure they will provide the right kind of light for your space, while still fitting in with the décor of the room?
Function Before Fashion
Naturally you want your lighting choices to match and complement the décor of your home. If they aren’t the right functional choice for the space they will call home, your initial infatuation with them will likely fade. For work spaces such as kitchens or offices, be sure your lighting will provide ample brightness while being easy on the eyes. For rooms such as the living room or dining room, you’ll want to consider lighting sources that are adjustable to allow for relaxation and a romantic atmosphere, as well as the ability to work and play with enough light to see. It is also important to consider the financial and environmental impact of the lighting you use. Using energy efficient bulbs and dimmers can reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bill.
Size Matters!
If you have a small traditional dining room, choosing that large ballroom-sized chandelier you fell in love with may not be the best idea. Also, going with recessed lighting for a large foyer, while functional, can make the space feel cold and uninspired. Making sure that the fixtures or lamps you choose are proportional to the space they will call home will make the room look well designed.
Using Light As Decoration
While choosing lighting for a room requires balancing form and function, lighting can also be a great way to highlight existing features in a room. Whether it is a great painting over the mantle, a few antiques in the hall, or a unique feature in your space, using lighting to highlight them can add a finished and dramatic look to any room.
Lighting can really make all the difference in any room, and can make all the hard work you have put into choosing the other décor elements of your home worth the effort, looking finished and spectacular!
