Impact of Lighting on Interior Spaces – If you’re new to interior design, then discovering the power and impact of lighting can be like unlocking a treasure trove of magical secrets. Lighting is the unsung hero of great interior design, capable of completely transforming spaces in the most exciting and unique ways. Whether it’s setting a different mood, enhancing the atmosphere, or even highlighting certain things in the room, there are so many different ways to use lighting beyond just illuminating the space.
So, in this post, we’re going to talk about the impact of lighting on interior spaces and give you a couple of tips and tricks to help you take full advantage of it.
Understanding the impact of lighting on mood and perception
Lighting has a fairly big impact on our mental state. It can lift our spirits, make us feel relaxed, and even help us be more productive.
For instance, soft, diffused lights can give off a sense of intimacy and relaxation. It’s ideal for bedrooms and lounging areas but doesn’t work well for home offices where you want to be productive. For that, you’ll want bright and contrasted areas to stimulate your productive sense and make you feel more alert. This is why kitchens and home offices are typically very bright, and it’s also why you might feel less alert at work when the lights are dimmed.
So, by understanding the impact that lighting has on our mood and perception, we can start to incorporate this knowledge into our interior designs. For example, if you’re designing a new home office, then it’s good to add multiple sources of light. These will be used to ensure you have adequate task lighting for work-related activities but also highlight decorative elements in your home office. This is usually done with overhead fixtures and an additional desk lamp to provide extra lighting should you need it.
However, if you’re adding lighting to a bedroom, then using dim lights and diffused lights can add a more relaxed or romantic ambiance, which is perfect for unwinding at the end of the day or creating a cozy retreat. Dim lights can also help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, promoting better sleep habits, which help you get a good night’s sleep.
Highlighting decor in your home with well-placed lighting
Lighting is capable of accentuating architectural details, artwork, wall prints, and other focal points that you want to bring attention to. Track lighting is a great way to highlight a wall of unique artwork that you want to stand out, and recessed lights in the ceiling can illuminate artwork, statues, or even plants.
Uplighting is also a great option for highlighting tall plants, statues, columns, and other types of decor. These lights are typically placed on the floor or low-mounted on walls to create a dramatic lighting effect. It’s a technique typically used to create depth and visual interest in a room, and it works well in contemporary home settings.
Functionality and practicality with effective lighting
In addition to psychology and aesthetics, lighting also serves practical purposes around our home. Lighting helps to improve the functionality and usability of our interior spaces, such as adding task lighting with desk lamps or under-cabinet fixtures in the kitchen. These types of lighting provide lighting for various activities such as working, reading, or cooking.
Lighting can also be used on the floor around our home, providing lit pathways and staircases to make it safer to walk around your home, especially when it’s nighttime. This reduces the risk of accidents and can make people feel safer, especially when used outside your home. Modern lighting solutions also make it easy for you to customise settings such as brightness and colour temperature, meaning you can personalise your lighting to promote productivity or comfort whenever you choose to.
It’s important to harness both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of lighting in your home. Combining both can be difficult, but it’s the best way to make full use of your lighting. If the lights serve a functional purpose and also look great at the same time, then they contribute to both the practical aspects of your daily life and the overall beauty and ambience of your living space.
Conclusion
Lighting has a huge impact on interior spaces. It’s capable of affecting us in so many different ways, hence the importance of carefully planning out your lighting fixtures and solutions. This ultimately leads to a home that not only looks beautiful but feel inviting and functional.
Poppy Watt