The lights in a house change the style of each room and our mood inside it. They also help us sense better the size of the room. The fitting and the type of fixtures are important aspects of interior design, and their choice is made in combination with color options, room size, natural light availability and choice of furniture. When all of these combined together and we achieve the right lighting, then the room will have an indelible combination of functionality and style.
Using proper lighting can add or remove of the total colors of a room or only of those surfaces where the light is intended to enhance. The darker colors make the space look smaller and narrower, while the light-colored walls do the opposite. The illusion of space is defined by the light reflected of the walls. Some types of lighting enhance this illusion by further illuminating the walls around. Also, directional lighting can soften the colors of the walls. There is also the option of lighting coming out of a recess of the luminaire, resulting in the illumination of the floors and not the walls. This contrasts with the result of the fixtures hunging from the center of the room, a solution that provides general room lighting. In both cases, we can influence whether the surfaces of the space will appear light or dark.
Lighting in a room, whether it provides light for the whole space or highlights very specific elements. Recessed beam lighting is the perfect example of directing lighting. Hanging from the ceiling, adjustable spots can be rotated and illuminate specific elements of the space, such as a fresco, a vase of flowers on a table or the kitchen counter. They can be placed on the walls as well. Special aprons for mirrors and paintings can also illuminate specific areas on a wall. In addition, recessed lighting can be used on floors and ceilings to create vertical light rays, opposed to each other, combined with a total illumination from the headlamps hanging from the roof.
An important role of lighting in the indoor environment is functionality. Lighting must serve a purpose and not just wastage of electricity. Chandeliers and hanging lamps in general are not only used in large halls and open foyers, entrances and rooms because of their central placement, but because they provide excellent lighting for the room. Wall sconces add length and size to an area visually, especially when placed on an entrance. Examine the style of the type of lighting you want and make sure you get the best possible direction of lighting in the room. Look at what specific tasks you will do in the area you need lighting, such as in offices and other workplaces where functionality is more important than the overall lighting of the room.
Both natural and artificial lighting help to illuminate space. For a darker room, find ways to bring as much natural light into space as possible. If the room does not have adequate lighting, you will feel cramped inside. This is aggravated if we have enough furniture inside, such as coffee table, central table, sofa, chairs and more. Floor lamps, wall sconces and central hanging lights will help illuminate a room if natural lighting is insufficient and will help create a visually larger space. This applies to any environment, home or office. Natural lighting is more preferred than artificial lighting, because it highlights colors and enhances room vision by bouncing on reflective surfaces. Think of skylights or large windows if you want more natural light, or use transparent curtains to allow the maximum amount of light to enter from your windows.