Choosing the optimal lighting for your home is the best way to ensure it looks exactly as you envisioned it. Still, it’s not easy to do it, especially if you don’t have any prior experience with interior design. So, what are the most important things to consider while picking out the lighting for your living space?
Well, if you want to find out keep on reading because, in this short guide, we will discuss the topic in enough detail to ensure you get the best possible results!
So without further ado, let’s get to the bottom of it!
Think of a plan that fits the room
What will you use the room for? Are you going to use it for relaxing or work? If you have a habit of working inside of your bedroom you should maybe consider getting some dimmable lighting since you’ll use it for both resting and doing your work.
Other than that, you have to think about the styling of the rooms. A wrong lighting choice can completely ruin the aesthetics. If you’re not sure what fits the general „vibe“ of the room the best, you should probably consult an interior designer before you purchase anything.
All in all, you should have a specific plan for every single room. Making a detailed plan at the beginning will save you from a lot of trouble later.
Learn about the types of lighting
There are three main types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Of course, most rooms will have at least two types present inside them. So, what are these three types exactly?
Firstly, ambient lighting is the main source of lighting in the room. It lightens the whole room, and the choice of brightness will mostly depend on the size and the function of the room. For example, bathrooms and kitchens usually require some brighter lighting than the other parts of the house. Your contractor will be able to tell the optimal position and brightness, so make sure to listen to their advice.
Second of all, there’s the task lighting. These are made to help you finish some tasks like reading or cooking, hence the name. They’re usually installed in places like your home office and above the stove.
Lastly, accent lighting is mostly used for decorative purposes. If there is, for example, a painting you want to accentuate more, these are the lights for you.
Get an interior designer
If you can afford it, getting some professional help can save you from a lot of headaches in the long run. A good home designer will help you bring your vision into life in no time. It also helps that they know a lot of great suppliers and can bring some fresh ideas to the table.
Of course, it’s important to find someone who understands your style and needs. Show them your plans and ideas so they can have a clearer picture of your likes and dislikes. If you had other parts of your home designed by a professional, a good idea is to ask the same person to help you with lighting as they’ll already be aware of your personal style.
All in all, getting some professional advice is a great way to ensure you get exactly what you always wanted, and it’s overall a good investment to make.
Find a reliable electrician
Getting your lights installed safely is of the utmost importance. Make sure you find a good, reliable service that will guarantee you a long-lasting installation. It’s important to save energy, and with properly installed lighting, this could be much easier.
Another benefit of a well-trained electrician is that you’ll be able to ask for tips to make your home a bit more energy efficient. They will also know the optimal positions to install the lights and will be able to give you a lot of useful advice including the best lightbulbs for your needs.
All in all, look at businesses that are positively reviewed and have a lot of experience like the Jacksonville based nerdhomes.com. Also, if you have friends who recently had the need for an electrician, make sure to ask them for a referral and find out more about their experiences with the service.
Be consistent
The tones and the overall brightness should not vary too much throughout the house. You don’t want to have one room in warm tones and then suddenly walk into a neon hallway. Since the lighting will be what decides the overall feel of your home, make sure to stay consistent and decide on an aesthetic early on in the process.
Having too many different lighting styles can make the house look really unpleasant to the eye. If your home is a bit more modern, you don’t want to ruin it with a vintage chandelier. It would just look a bit confusing. Of course, mixing styles can be a good choice, the important thing is to know how to do it well, and never overdo it.
All in all, your house should feel like a home, so make sure the lights are appropriate to the general aesthetic you want.
Natural light
Windows and glass doors can do wonders for your home. Make sure to leave enough openings so the house gets enough natural lighting during the day. This especially goes for the rooms you’ll be spending the most time in. It will help you save a lot of energy and power, and natural light is generally more appealing to the eye.
So, if you’re renovating and if you can afford it, add more openings to your home. It’s something that will definitely pay off since nothing beats the natural light.
Other than that, make sure you choose the proper light bulbs and consider things like wattage and brightness when doing so.
The takeaway
Choosing the proper lighting for your home can be a daunting task. Still, if you do your research and get some professional advice and help, you can be certain to choose the best possible option. Keep your mind open, and devise a detailed plan that fits your needs and style.
All in all, the lighting is what makes your home complete and it’s what gives your home a specific feel, so don’t hesitate to invest your time and resources into choosing the optimal solution.