Lighting is one of the most overlooked and yet important elements of good interior design. After all, there is little point in creating luxury surroundings if they cannot be appreciated properly or if there is insufficient light to be able to carry out even the most basic of tasks. In addition though, lighting is also essential in terms of creating the mood and ambience of a living space, so getting it right from the start is vital.
When thinking about lighting, it tends to be artificial light that comes to mind. Optimising the use of natural light, however, is also key, both in terms of practicality and in order to be able to appreciate the beauty of the space.
Where artificial lighting is concerned, there are number of different types. Accent lighting, for example, can be extremely effective when used to display paintings or to accentuate plants or objets d’art, although the angle of the lighting clearly needs to be just right to achieve the very best effect.
Task lighting is another type of lighting which is important in just about every room of a house. In sitting rooms and studies, for example, it helps to avoid eyestrain when reading or working, while in the kitchen it ensures that tasks can be carried out safely. Adequate task lighting is also essential in the bathroom for the purposes of shaving or applying make-up for instance.
Mood lighting uses different tones and colours of light, as well as different levels of brightness, with the aim of creating atmosphere in a room. In many cases it uses soft, warm lights to induce a feeling of calm and relaxation, but at the opposite end of the spectrum it can also be used to provide a lively and invigorating effect.
Of course, getting the lighting right in a luxury design scheme isn’t just about where lights are placed or how strong or bright they are. The light fittings and lamps themselves are an element of the overall design and, when chosen to fit perfectly with the style of the room, they have the potential to give life to the space.
