Planning your lighting

Lighting

Lighting plays an essential role in creating atmospheres in a room and should be planned as early as possible.

Often, a room requires more lighting than you might think. Layering lighting adds a wonderful dimension to a space. A floor lamp can add sculptural interest, whereas a couple of table lamps can create a wonderful warm glow. The use of different types of light within one space can help create a special atmosphere.

Integrate lighting into your whole design scheme. A lampshade can add texture and interest to a room. Pale lampshades enhance the atmosphere in a room by diffusing light.

Sitting Room Lighting

Instead of a pendant light, Kate has a tall floor lamp, a table lamp, and an angled task light. A pendant light needs to be both functional and beautiful. Remember, you don't need to light every corner

Kate recommends placing spotlights on a dimmer and placing them 30 cm from the edge of the room, over the middle of the window from the edge of the room. The light washing over the blinds looks great. Choose fixed positions for your spotlights like fireplaces, the middle of the room.

You can hang a pendant low in a corner to make a point of interest.

Your Assignment

Go into a room in your home and critically look at your use of light. Do you have a floor, table (or lamp) light and task light in that space already? Is your lighting creating the atmosphere you intend for it to create?

Discover More

See our Pinterest board for more ideas on creating a mood with lighting.

Lighting Checklist

When designing a room make sure you have a variety of different types of lighting.

• Floor lamp
• Lamp lights
• Task lighting

Creating a Lighting Plan

Draw a basic plan of the space. Including the walls, windows and door.

Create a basic furniture layout.

Colour in yellow where you need light sources

Using a S for spotlight and P for pendant light decide on the different light sources you need.

Great Places to Buy Lights

Floor Lamps We Are Loving

Ceiling Lamps We Are Loving

Table and Task Lamps We Are Loving