How to Improve Your Home’s Lighting
Last updated on October 17th, 2022
If you want to create a warm and bright ambiance in any area of your home, then you should pay attention to the kind of lighting you have installed. Not only does good lighting improve the mood, but it also makes any space feel bigger. Also, if you are working from home, the absence of any glare or shadow can help reduce your headaches and eye fatigue. You can even avoid accidents if your home has great lighting.
Looking for ideas to brighten your home? Here are some of the best ways to improve the look and feel of your home’s lighting. Read on,
1. Make the best use of natural light
Who wouldn’t want natural light? It’s always better than the artificial one. It gives you a good feeling, boosts your health, lifts your spirits, and, more importantly, saves on energy. Yes, natural light is free! However, the amount of natural light your home can use depends on how you let it in.
So how do you maximize the use of natural light in your home? Among the many ways are the following:
- Add mirrors and other shiny items.
- Use lighter paint colors.
- Clean your windows thoroughly to allow maximum light inside.
- Avoid heavy draperies in your windows.
- Opt for reflective tiles.
2. Switch to light-emitting diode (LED) lights
Don’t be surprised by this one. LED lights are now the gold standard of good lighting, outshining fluorescent ones. It’s energy-efficient and has a longer lifespan compared with traditional lighting. There are warm glow and cool daylight variants, including one that can mimic daylight. If you want to make your space look festive, colorful versions are available too. There are even health benefits of LED lighting such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and boosting moods and energy levels.
Another good thing about LED lights is that they can withstand frequent switching and light up instantly—no warm-up period, no flickering when turning them on! If you want lighting that you can control on your phone, some LED bulbs are also categorized as smart bulbs. You can turn them on and off using a mobile app.
3. Consider scale
When selecting light fixtures, the right scale matters. This is important, especially if you want to make your open concept home cozy. Your home needs lighting that’s neither overpowering nor too small to become a source of light.
This is also one reason why checking the dimension of the light fixture and the area where you will place it is crucial. You can’t simply buy a fixture just because you love how it looks. It should also be appropriate for the space. If you’re trying to brighten up a small windowless bathroom, you would not use pendant lights, which need a lot of space. Instead, you may want to install some recessed lights and paint the wall white for better lighting.
4. Get a focal point
A focal point, in terms of design, pulls everything together. It allows your eyes to focus on one thing and makes a statement. When you enter a room with an eye-catching element or lighting in this case, aren’t you captivated by it? It surely catches your attention. That’s how focal point lighting works—it draws people’s attention to it.
To create a focus, your fixtures shouldn’t be of the same size. Otherwise, you’ll have a cluttered look with no sort of visual clarity. For example, in the living room, the fireplace is a wonderful focal point when lit, but not during the day when it usually goes into the background. This is when a beautiful chandelier becomes a great focal point that will enhance the room’s lighting design. It also works in the family room or any large room. In a small space, a unique floor lamp or vintage-inspired sconces are perfect.
Another way of creating a focal point is by using pendant lights. This is ideal above a table or island unit. You can hang one larger pendant and a few smaller ones, depending on the seating capacity of a dining table or the space.
Final Thoughts
Lighting is a home improvement area that shouldn’t be overlooked. Good lighting enhances how a space looks and feels. It also influences how a person feels when entering a room.
If you’re planning to improve your home’s lighting very soon, we hope that these tips have been helpful. Consider them to make your home more welcoming and comfortable.
