Lighting to Create the Right Ambience
The wallpaper is up. The drapes are hung, and the furniture is in place. But something is missing. Decorating is not complete without a selection of stylish lighting to seamlessly finish the look.
There was a time when lighting did not have the decorating value that it has today. The choices were few and the styles limited. Now, consumers can find a floor lamp, table-lamp, chandelier, pendant or sconce to fit their décor, no matter the room.
The industry has evolved .There was a time 10 to 12 years ago when lighting was in a rut. In the last few years — really five to eight —it has turned almost into more of an apparel-type market.
CHANGE WITH THE TIMES
Today lighting to create the right ambience is being influenced by three elements:
* Casual elegance: The creation of warm, relaxed and comfortable environments with casual lighting that is a little more upscale in design.
* Simplified traditional: Remove the excess and simplify. Decorative lighting here may be solid brass, but stripped down and rich with antique patina.
If you’re planning to redecorate your home, perhaps the most important aspect of your project will be the decisions you make about lighting. It can dramatically influence the feel of a room, making it warm and inviting, cozy and comfortable, or cold and distant at the flip of a switch. Whether one decides to go with recessed cans, lamps, chandeliers, or pendants, decorative lighting is probably the most important accessory one can buy. If chosen correctly, it can have just as much influence on the look and feel of a room as your best piece of furniture.
Lights that complement a home’s architectural design are really are the new trend. For example, there has been a growth in the availability of taller fixtures because homes being built today have higher ceilings. Eight feet used to be the standard. Today it’s more like nine or ten feet and one needs to find ways to fill the space.
Materials used to assemble lights are changing too.People are moving away from the plastic and resin look that used to be so popular in newer homes, now a return in popularity of the old world. Fixtures made of brass, copper and or crystal chandeliers are the new trend now.
Major changes are also noted in the way people are lighting up their dining rooms and kitchens. Over the past five years or so, the decorative trend in kitchens has moved more towards cherry and mahogany cabinets and away from the oak ones.
To compliment the look, lighting is taking on a redder tone. People are using recessed cans as a primary source; under-cabinet lights to brighten up areas where tasks, like meal preparation, are performed; and they are lighting up the toe space and top of the cabinets with ambient lighting that showcases them. Fixtures, like mini pendants are being added as decorative accents as they frequently match or at least compliment the chandelier in the dining room, particularly if the rooms are close together.
Today's fixtures are more refined. There’s more attention to detail. Nearly every aspect of the lamp, from the base to the pull chain, has earned more decorative detail, giving the lamps greater sophistication. Small details have increased the volume of choices for the consumer and have made it easier for the buyer to find a distinct style for their home.
The lighting industry is also directing a lot of attention at outdoor lighting. These days, people are spending more time than ever before on their terraces, decks and patios, since they have become an extension of the house. Realizing the emergence of a new market, lighting manufacturers are adapting their most popular designs to outdoor living, using materials that can stand up to the elements.
Chandeliers, wall sconces and table lamps made of cast aluminum, which is more durable, will not corrode or rust, are now available in all shapes, sizes and colors. Portable lights and table lamps that need to be plugged in are UL rated so they do not short out or cause a fire if they get wet.
Landscape lighting is also getting more decorative. The security lights leading up to the house used to be plain and unattractive. With all the decorative options out there today, one can use them to introduce their neighbors and guests to ones taste before they walk through the door not forgetting that this decorative options are also energy efficient. A lot of companies have brand new decorative chandeliers, pendants and table lamps out that take fluorescent bulbs rather than incandescent ones. Fluorescents last longer and are dimmable so they use less energy than everyday incandescent.
Back to the basics
Foyer, halls and stairways
The foyer conveys the first impression of a home's interior. To create the right ambience one should center a traditional chandelier, contemporary pendant or transitional close-to-ceiling fixture in the hallway to provide basic illumination and create a welcoming atmosphere. Make sure to size the decorative fixture to the space. Not all foyers can accommodate a large chandelier, so make sure the size proportions are correct.
Likewise, if you have a larger space, you'll need a larger fixture. If you'll be able to view the fixture from above, make sure to select a foyer chandelier or pendant that looks attractive from second story viewing. Remember that stairways and halls must have good general lighting for safety. To prevent accidents, stairs should be lit from top to bottom with switches in both places. For safety in hallways, place lighting fixtures every 8 to 10 feet.
Tie in the fixtures you choose by matching your foyer chandelier or pendant with close-to-ceiling fixtures for hallways and smaller chain hung fixtures for stairways. Use matching wall sconces to complement the hanging foyer fixture. Always mount a sconce above eye level so that the lamp source is not visible. Make your artwork come to life and illuminate it with halogen light from track or adjustable recessed down-lighting. Add on a dimmer and really set the tone of your room.
Living area
Enhance your room's ambience, dramatize wall textures, accent artwork, or just provide general illumination for your den, living room, family room, playrooms, or bedrooms. A variety of different types of lighting fixtures will work for both your general lighting and accent lighting needs. Use recessed lighting to light a general area. This is preferred because the light source is concealed. Close-to-Ceiling Fixtures, wall sconces, and Interior lamps are also excellent choices and provide ample lighting.
These fixtures are not only decorative pieces, but are ideal sources of task lighting for reading or playing games. Try recessed lighting or track lighting to make a room come alive by accenting artwork, wall washing, or grazing. Interior lamps are also a great choice. Use increased wattage in areas where tasks are performed, in rooms with ceilings higher than 8 feet, and in rooms with dark colored floors and walls. When table space is limited, wall lamps are a good alternative. While traditional wall fixtures with arms remain the most popular form of wall lighting, more contemporary wall sconces are gaining popularity for accent lighting.
One of the latest innovations in living room lighting is to install a voice-activated system so you can command your lights to switch on and off simply by speaking. If you opt for this, then commission a lighting designer to install it and while he is at it, a digital lighting display, which changes colour in timed sequences or in response to music will really set your scheme alight!
The visual space in a small living room can be made to feel bigger by lighting one entire wall.
This can be done by using recessed light fittings that are mounted on the ceiling. In order to get the best effect they must be positioned an equal distance from the wall and each other. Alternatively to make your living room seem larger it helps to continue the living room lighting outdoors by lighting gardens, shrubbery and water features that are visible from the room.(www.interiordeluxe.com)
Dining room
Today's dining rooms reflect consumers' changing lifestyles. Once used solely for daily dining, this room has become more multipurpose.
During the week, we use the dining room as a work zone, for homework, crafts, church work, and organizational meetings. On the weekends and special occasions, it becomes a gathering place for parties and meals. The result? Dining rooms must boast multiple lighting options that can go from functional to fashionable in the flick of a switch.
To get the best balance of illumination in the dining room, opt for layers of light. The most important thing a homeowner should recognize is that a dining room does not look well-lighted if the only light source is a chandelier. A chandelier that is bright enough to illuminate a room will be too bright for comfort when dining. Likewise, if the chandelier's light is comfortable on the eyes, it will be too dim and look flat.
When choosing dining room lighting, start with a chandelier in the middle of the room, and then work out with accent lights. The chandelier will determine the room's feeling. You might find casual wrought iron or brushed steel metal fixtures in the home's adjacent "great room" and wrought iron with crystal drops or pendants in the dining room, creating a more romantic, softer setting. When selecting a chandelier, don't worry about the fixture's quality of light as much as its beauty and scale. Chandelier choices include everything from those with exposed bulbs to those with large alabaster diffusing bowls. Trends range from simple Mission-inspired models with mica glass to ornate brass filigree with crystal pendants.
Kitchen
Whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee on a rainy day, listening to your family’s happy chatter, or cooking up a romantic evening for two, the kitchen has become one of the focal points of the home.
The placement of your lighting is almost as important as the overall design of the kitchen. Use your lights to really highlight and show off your space. Ambient lighting helps create the overall illumination of a room. Be conscious of the size of your kitchen when choosing your fixtures. Track lighting is effective for smaller spaces.
Track lighting systems use incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent bulbs, and can be installed with a dimmer switch for optimal control. Recessed lighting is more effective in larger kitchens.
These small lights can be placed all around your kitchen for even, un-intrusive lighting. Pendant lighting is becoming a popular way to add some artistic flare to kitchens. Although they do not provide a large amount of light, they are available in several attractive options, and look great over islands or dining areas. Wall sconces are another decorative choice for lighting. Available in both modern and classic designs, these can be an easy solution for a quick fix to a dark space.
Bath and Vanity
Bathroom lighting is probably the last place people want to invest time and money. Mirrors go unlit, and oftentimes one ceiling fixture is used to light up the sink, mirror, and shower.
However, as whirlpool tubs become larger and steam showers are added, more and more time is spent relaxing in the bathroom. Use several recessed down lights or decorative surface-mounted fixtures for areas over 100 square feet. Add companion close-to-ceiling fixtures to supplement bath wall brackets in larger bathrooms. Companion close to ceiling fixtures supplement bath wall brackets in larger bathrooms.
Mount one fixture over the mirror to light a bathroom, but realize it can cause shadows on the face. If using recessed lighting, avoid creating shadows by not mounting them directly over the mirror. Adding wall brackets to the side of the mirror is one of the best ways to eliminate shadows on the face.
For mirrors less than 48" wide use vertically mounted wall brackets and position them 75 to 80 inches above the floor. If the fixture uses exposed lamps, do not use a higher wattage than 40 watts. Fixtures with clear or well diffused glass use nor more than 75 watts. Color corrected fluorescent lamps should be used when fluorescent fixtures are desired. In the shower, use recessed lights or a ceiling mounted plastic unit.
Exterior Lighting
Whether your goal is to enhance the beauty of your home, or provide additional security, you have numerous lighting options to light up your home's exterior. These lights are both functional and fun. Select a design and size to complement your house while providing sufficient lighting for safety. When installing a wall lantern, size the fixture to the door and surrounding space. Wall lanterns should be mounted slightly above eye level at about 60" to 66" from the center of the fixture to the floor. Post top lanterns are an excellent way to light a walkway, while complementing wall lanterns. Large post top lanterns make a better impression when used in large open space. Address your security needs with PAR lamp holders mounted on each corner of the home for an effective, low-cost solution. Recessed lights in the eaves add additional light, while accenting doors and doorways. Add landscape lighting, deck lighting, and step lighting to not only bring out the beauty of the home at night, but also add extra security.
THE FUTURE OF LIGHTING
If there are two industries that have drawn the most out of the eco-consciousness and green movement of the world then it is the automobile and lighting industry. Sanyo has brought out another green product in the later category and like so many others before it, the sensuous lighting options along with the energy conservation part make the dual mode Eneloop interior light a more than attractive buy. Basically used for interior lighting and even for healing effect, the ambient light can also be used as a flash light once the body is tilted by 90 degrees.
Sanyo has been committed to making its products cleaner, greener and more eco-conscious along with the philosophy of “reusing instead of disposing” being their main intent. Coming with a non-metallic contactless charging system, the lamp provides for a fine balance between an innovative lighting option and a design that is elegant and classy. The fact that more and more companies are going the LED and clean energy way of lighting holds great promise for a world where majority of energy is consumed by domestic lighting. Unfortunately, one will have to still wait till 2010 before Sanyo decides to pull the trigger on this one (www.trendsupdate.com)
In the future, homes and offices may have electronic walls and ceilings that light up, and that can be reconfigured with ease.
Researchers have created interchangeable modular panels that integrate light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixtures with building materials and systems.
With this innovation, changing a lighting scheme is a "snap." In fact, the panels can be moved in and out of electrical grids simply by snapping them into place, or out of place.
