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It is not a secret that lighting has a profound effect on the way in which people experience an interior. Lighting is not merely functional; it is a vital part of creating atmosphere and making a home feel welcoming.

When executed correctly, a lighting design scheme that maximises natural light, whilst also considering how artificial sources can enhance and decorate key features, will always leave a lasting impression on whoever enters the space. Defining the right kind of lighting for your home is essential to get the perfect atmosphere. Here 3 design mantras you must follow:

. You should have a good mixture of light sources at different levels to create a pleasing atmosphere.

. You need appropriate task lighting for whatever you want to do in that space

. Use warm light. A warm white light is about 1800K and when a room is bathed in this colour temperature, the romanticising effect is self-evident.

 

Entry way

On a sideboard, place at least one table lamp to illuminate the objects on the table. Or you can place 2 sconces to define a mirror or a picture on the wall. Hanging lamps, lanterns or chandeliers can add a focal point to an area that is often too minimal in terms of decoration.

Bert Frank at Decorex 2018. Photo by AXT Magazine

Statement pieces

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Living room

Light 3 of the 4 corners, focusing one of those lights on an object (art, plant, a striking chair). Use a combination of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a downward glow and some that shine upward. Allow for reading in as many seats as possible with down glowing lamps. If you have an overhead fixture, put it on dimmer to calibrate the overall light in the room.

HouzzUK in London: chaise longue by Encoded, satin brass floor lamp by Orginal BTC, brown side tables by London Essential

Eichholtz at Maison and Objet. Photo by AXT (architetturaxtutti). Wall Sconces, a ceiling chandelier and a table lamp

Dare Studio at Decorex International. Photo by AXT (architetturaxtutti)

Dining room

To draw people in, make the table the brightest spot in the room. Choose a focal point for a dining space. Often this is delivered by a physical feature within the room, or a statement light – such as a chandelier as a center piece. Elsewhere in the room, use indirect light – it is relaxing and complimentary. Give space to a subtle glow with an air of small table lamps on a sideboard or matching sconces on the wall above.

Delightful Lamp

Bedroom

Aim for cosy, insular atmosphere: place reading lamps or sconces by the bed but not pointed directly at it. Be careful to specify downlights with good anti-glare characteristics. If you have recessed or track fixtures, angle them away from the bed, toward the dressing area.

Montecristo Hotel – Paris

The Collectionist Hotel, Sidney, Australia

Bathroom

The best choice is sidelights, such as a pair of sconces flanking the mirror. An overhead light helps fill in any shadows on your face and also fully illuminate the room. In a large space, you might also want a light directly over the shower.

The Beaverbrook hotel, Surrey

Hotel Halcyon Cherry Creek, Denver, USA

Grands Boulevards Hotel, Paris

 

Kitchen

Full brightness is needed for task activities such as food preparation. Building layers is key here, so elements of the lighting scheme can be adapted to suit the scene. The main purpose of a layered lighting scheme is to create a sociable ambient experience that illuminates the interior and its feature. Glass pendants or chandeliers often do not provide much light: supplementary lighting will give them to life.