How to light your house like a pro!

A well-planned lighting scheme truly is everything. Lighting affects the ambiance and mood of a space — get it right and the whole aesthetic improves.

Here are some things to consider when creating a well-lit home:

It is essential to have more than one light source in a room. Overhead lights, task lights and accent lights are a great way of adding layered illumination. Every room should have a mix of lighting.

Lighting the living room

Accent lighting will add a brilliant glow to your art, sculptures and architectural features making them stand out. Make sure the bulb you use is not too bright in comparison to your main light source. You want to avoid glaring reflections that bounce back, place your light fixture so the light doesn’t block your line of sight.

look toward the outer walls for downlighting that can gently wash the walls, curtains and art with warm, functional brightness. This can be achieved with plug-in torchiere floor lamps that bounce light off the ceiling.

The goal is to create contrast between the light at the centre of the room and around the perimeter, and the darker spaces in between. Without the darker areas in the room everything is flat and boring.

Lighting the kitchen

In the kitchen bright light is more important than ambient light. install high-hats or recessed lights along the edge of the ceiling.

Hanging pendant over your kitchen island If you have one it is a good way to light the space without taking up room you might need to eat or prepare food. Create an evenly lighted counter space by running LED light strips on the bottom of your upper cabinets.

Do you have natural light?

A room without direct sunlight will generally require a little more thought. Install recessed fixtures along the perimeter of a north-facing living room to complement a central pendant that spreads light horizontally throughout a space. Use table lamps to illuminate dark corners and a pair of sconces to draw attention to a special piece of art.

For a dark room, combine a central chandelier with discrete up-lights in the corners of the room and bedside lamps for reading.

Overhead lighting; don’t over do it

Overhead lighting can often be excessive, generating spots and unwanted shadows. try subtle lighting sources like wall sconces and floor lamps, and in dining rooms, a sculptural centrepiece above a table can provide depth.

Don’t shy away from colour. Putting a light fixture in a bright hue in an otherwise simple room can add some fun and interest to the space. Coloured shades can work wonders, especially when the light is turned on.

Bathroom light

Avoid recessed fixtures over the sink, it can cast shadows that are not flattering. Instead, wall-mounted sconces about 66 inches off the floor. will help cast even illumination across your face. To create a sense of intimacy and spa like luxury, consider installing a sculptural pendant lamp.

If you have an empty and awkward corner, one trick of the trade is to transform that space with an oversized floor lamp.