To create a cozy atmosphere in the apartment, think over all the details in advance. Lighting is a key element of the interior and should not be neglected. What mistakes are most often made when placing lamps
A light is a light, right? Well, not quite. The truth is that when it comes to residential lighting, many homeowners mistakenly believe that any light will do the same job. Perhaps they choose the wrong fixture: overhead lighting, pendant lights, wall sconces, or lamps work only when used in the right context. Or maybe they ignore the impact lighting has on mood, home design, and how we see ourselves. With a little education, though, any homeowner can see their lighting design in—well—a whole new light. Click through to learn about the most common lighting mistakes and how to fix them.in the house.
Ceiling light only
Ceiling lights are enough to illuminate the apartment. But to create a cozy atmosphere one overhead light will not be enough. Dark corners will remain in the room, and the room will resemble an office rather than a house. Therefore, additional lamps are needed, which, in addition to the main function, will also divide the apartment into zones.
The dining area can be illuminated with a ceiling lamp with a large cozy lampshade, and a place to relax – small sconces in a contrasting color. They will become accents in the interior, setting up for relaxation or exciting activities. Use the lighting in bookcases, floor lamps in an armchair, sconces over a sofa or a shelf with photographs, this will create a cozy atmosphere and there will be no unpleasant dark corners in the room.
Brighter – not always better
Bright light is needed, but not often, but only for cases that require good lighting: repair, sewing, cleaning or ceremonial meetings. At home, I want to relax, sit on the couch by the TV or at our favorite pastime – a book, knitting. If you provide only bright light, then the room will look like an illuminated stadium, and not a place where you can relax.
Choose chandeliers and sconces with the ability to adjust the level of light. Then it will be possible to change the illumination as needed: in the evening for relaxation – weak, muffled, and for receiving guests – strong, bright. So you create a comfortable atmosphere in the house for every occasion. Add small lights in different areas of the room to use them instead of lighting the entire room.
Wrong height
The lower the lamp, the smaller the area it illuminates. If you use only one lamp in the room above the table, for example, then in the remaining parts of the room it will be dark, and above the table there will be too bright, blinding light. Floor lamps and sconces should also not be placed too low, when reading close to a bright light source, vision spoils.
Designers advise hanging chandeliers as close to the ceiling as possible. So the room will seem taller and larger. Vertical objects also visually stretch the room. A high floor lamp by the chair will create diffused illumination, at which it is convenient to do your favorite things, and visually increase the height of the room.
Uneconomical use
Powerful ceiling lighting with lots of lamps consumes a lot of energy. If you create lighting in the room as necessary, using adjustment or additional less powerful lamps, you can save on paying bills.
Now there are lighting devices with LEDs that consume little energy and work for up to 10 years. Their cost is higher, but you can significantly save on paying electricity bills. Instead of fixtures with the usual incandescent lamps, it is better to purchase modern devices that use LEDs and LED lamps. They cost more, but last longer and save energy.
Mirrors without backlight
We turn on the bright light to look at ourselves in the mirror. Makeup artists and hairdressers have long been using mirrors with built-in lighting. This helps to see small details, while not including room lighting at full power. The task of the backlight is to direct the light into the space nearby, which you need to make out. In a small hallway or dressing room, illuminated mirrors will play the role of additional lighting.
Think in advance about all the lighting in the apartment before starting the renovation to create a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.
Not Thinking About Wattage
“Mood is everything, and who wants to dine in bright light? 60 watts for the dining room,” Barbara Barry says. “I want it bright when reading, so 75 to 100 watts for the living room. It’s nice to have options — if you don’t have dimmers, then have some variety from 40 to 100 watts, so you can change the mood for the occasion. The bathroom needs overhead as well as side lighting. Keep the overhead to 75 watts, with 60 watts on each side. The best lighting is at eye level, not overhead, which creates shadows. And the best light is diffused light from a white or off-white lampshade.”
Also read: Remodel kitchen on a budget? 5 simple cost reducing tips
Neglecting Your Closet
Your closet needs attention, too. “Some good, solid recessed lighting is clearly going to help to distinguish this pair of black trousers from that pair of black trousers!” Scot Meacham Wood says. “We will also regularly add a gallery fixture across the header of built-in closets as a secondary light source. You’re regularly working with matching colors and textures while getting dressed each morning, so having good lighting is a requirement.”