And God said, ‘Let there be light’ and the rest is history. Lighting is obviously a major aspect of interior design and in this short blog, we offer a basic guide on interior lighting to help the UK homeowner choose the best kind of illumination.
Various types of lighting
Ask any interior designer and they will happily confirm that there are 3 main types of indoor lighting;
· General lighting – Also known as ambient lighting, which enables visibility.
· Task lighting – Lighting to assist in carrying out tasks, essential in the kitchen and at a writing desk.
· Accent lighting – Illumination that is targeted to showcase a feature.
Lighting effects mood and subtle changes can make a big difference; trial and error is often the best way to find the right combination; moving that scallop lampshade to the other side of the room is a game-changer.
Light bulbs
Replacing those old incandescent bulbs with LED makes total sense and the range of colours allows you to get creative, not to mention that LED lights use much less energy than traditional bulbs. They do cost more but last a lot longer, which evens it up. Low-input – high output makes complete sense as far as lighting goes.
Dimmer switches
These allow you to fine-tune the amount of light emitted, ideal for the living room and bedrooms; they are inexpensive and easy to fit, your local handyman would make short work of installing dimmer switches.
Colour temperature
This can be broken down into 3 main categories:
· Warm – Warm light feels cosy, ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.
· Neutral – This brings energy into a room; kitchens, studies and bathrooms.
· Cool – A bright white/blue spectrum light is perfect for tasks, with high visibility and a light that helps you to focus.
Light colour is measured in kelvins; low numbers mean a yellowish glow, while higher numbers lean towards white and blue.
Free learning resources can be found online for those that wish to get a deeper understanding of good interior lighting. Be creative and try new things; ground level lighting is definitely worth considering and there are UK suppliers of stylish and elegant light fittings; shopping online is easy on the pocket and no one is pressuring you to buy anything.
